Duff McKagan "It's So Easy" 72 page excerpt revealed.

Sunday, 11 September 2011

Duff McKagan "It's So Easy" 72 page excerpt revealed.
duffmemoir.jpg
"Slash and I christened the plane on our maiden journey by smoking crack together."


Duff's book "It's So Easy and Other Lies" is full of the dark tales of his life with Guns N' Roses. And it's sure to rattle some feathers inside the camp. Duff starts with this...

AUTHOR’S NOTE

My Friends and old band members may remember some of the stories I recount differently than I do, but I have found that all stories have many sides. These are my stories. These are my perspectives. This is my truth.

SECTION I
"KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR"
CHAPTER ONE

I’ve known a lot of junkies. Many of them have either died or continue to live a pitiful existence to this day. With many of these same people, I personally witnessed a wonder fullust for life as we played music together as kids and looked toward the future. Of course, no one sets out to be a junkie or an alcoholic. Some people can experiment in their youth and move on. Others cannot. When Guns N’ Roses began to break into the public consciousness, I was known as a big drinker. In 1988 MTV aired a concert in which Axl introduced me—as usual—as Duff “the King of Beers” McKagan. Soon after a production company working on a new animated series called me to ask if they could use the name “Duff” for a brand of beer in the show. I laughed and said of course, no problem. The whole thing sounded like a low-rent art project or something—I mean, who made cartoons for adults? Little did I know that the show would become The Simpsons and that within a few years I would start to see Duff beer glasses and gear everywhere we toured.

Still, given what I’d seen, a reputation or drinking didn’t seem like a big deal. But by the time Guns N’ Roses spent twenty-eight months from 1991 to 1993 touring the Use Your Illusion albums, my intake had reached epic proportions. For the round-the- world Illusion tour, Guns leased a private plane. It wasn’t an executive jet; it was a full-on727 we leased from MGM casino, with lounges and individual bedroom suites for the band members. Slash and I christened the plane on our maiden journey by smoking crack together. Before the wheels had left the ground. (Not something I recommend, incidentally—the smell gets into everything.) I don’t even remember Czechoslovakia; we played a stadium show in one of the most beautiful cities in East Europe not long after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the only way I knew I’d even been in the country was because of the stamp I found in my passport. It wasn’t clear anymore whether or not I would be one of those who could experiment in his youth and move on.

Every day I made sure I had a vodka bottle sitting next to my bed when I woke up. I tried to quit drinking in 1992, but started again with a vengeance after only a few weeks. I just could not stop. I was too far gone. My hair began falling out in clumps and my kidneys ached when I pissed. My body couldn’t take the full assault of the alcohol without bitching back at me. My septum had burned through from coke and my nose ran continuously like a leaky faucet in a neglected men’s-room urinal. The skin on my hands and feet cracked, and I had boils on my face and neck. I had to wear bandages under my gloves in order to be able to play my bass.

There are many different ways to come out of a funk like that. Some people go straight to rehab, some go to church. Others go to AA, and many more end up in a pine box, which is where I felt headed.

NEW JOHN WAITE ONLINE DESTINATIONS:

Two new websites for John Waite have just come online. johnwaite.nl focusses mainly on the European angle and fans, but it offcourse will share any news from John Waite or gigs in The USA. During the next weeks we will continue to add more interesting content for this official John Waite Website.
States JW: "The best! A new site comes into being on Friday. Johnwaitethesinger.com - It will be the official site so check it out. Wouter will still be at the head of the European site so the two together have a shot at world domination!! (ha ha ha!)!"

VAN HALEN BAN BAD KARAOKE VERSION OF JUMP:

With nothing better to do (like release an album, or set up a tour), Van Halen have instead spent time getting a "bad" karaoke version of their hit Jump removed from an upcoming new episode of An Idiot Abroad. The show's producer Ricky Gervais comments to The Sun, speaking at the launch of the new Sky1 series An Idiot Abroad: The Bucket List:
"The show, devised by Ricky and comedy partner Stephen Merchant, features their pal Karl Pilkington, 38, being sent to undertake a list of challenges you should do before you die. One of them is to perform with an American Glee-style chorus club. Karl sang Jump by rockers Van Halen. But his rendition was so bad the band tried to BAN it from being broadcast. Ricky said Karl was shaking before the performance and messed up the words. Ricky added: "Van Halen are trying to put a stop on it, because it is that bad. But Sky have got a blanket agreement so we can put it out in England. But we can't put it out in America or on the DVD."
Sad. No sense of humor at all...

Motely Crue guitarist Mick Mars reveals collaborations for new solo project

There’s Life in Mars

Reported by Eric MacKinnon

Published: September 9, 2011. © Rock AAA.

Mars: Life in the old dog yet.....

Ever wondered what the bastard love-child of Motley Crue and Marilyn Manson would sound like?

Well you may just find out after Crue guitarist Mick Mars revealed on Twitter that he has been working on new material with Manson bassist Twiggy Ramirez. Mars tweeted the news yesterday prompting a curious and excited response from the fans.

The Crue axeman is no stranger to collaborations with Black Veil Brides singer Andy Biersack earlier revealing he will feature on Mars’
forthcoming solo record.

Speaking to Talking Metal in July Biersack said: “It’s something that’s been a work of his for awhile and hopefully in time he will
complete it. But I will say one thing: Mick Mars is one of the greatest songwriters I’ve ever met in my life and had the pleasure to
work with. I can’t wait to hear his full album.

“In terms of this record, he’s really worked with the heavy hitters in the rock and metal industry. So to be a part of that is a great honour and I can’t wait to hear the completed record.”

Mars also co-wrote and featured on tracks from the Murderdolls and Crashdiet.

Bono Says U2 ‘Won’t Be Back for a While’

Anne Erickson
09.09.2011

Heading up the biggest concert tour in the history of rock music has to be taxing. So, it’s no wonder U2’s Bono is hinting at a major hiatus for the guys over the next few years.

In an interview with Guilty Pleasures (via Metro) in the U.K. at the annual GQ Men of the Year Awards, the singer first mentioned how much the gents of U2 enjoyed every blasted date of the 360° Tour: “They say every tour is 10 days too long. Not with this one. We genuinely loved every single night and at the end we were so sad.”

However, the 51-year-old says he and his comrades need a lengthy break and won’t be back “for a while.”

Bono and his bandmates were on hand to collect the prestigious GQ award for Best Band. “Growing up is not what is meant to happen to a rock band,” he said in the band’s acceptance speech. “It has happened, we are now men.”

Monday Quick Hits 2!!

Rapper Charged With Raping Two Women- Seizure Killed Amy Winehouse?- Carrie Underwood Half Done- Gym Class Heroes- T.I. Fighting Prison- Cliff Robertson RIP- more

09/12/2011
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(BBC) A Brazilian-born rapper and former contestant on I'm a Celebrity has been charged with raping two women. Aggro Santos, 22, of Bickersteth Road, London, is accused of raping a woman in Chichester, West Sussex, on 7 May. more

(AP) Amy Winehouse's father says he believes she died after suffering a seizure related to alcohol detoxification and "there was nobody there to rescue her." Her family says toxicology reports indicated there was alcohol in her bloodstream but it was unclear whether this had contributed to her death at age 27. more

(Billboard) Carrie Underwood has revealed that she is halfway done with the follow-up to 2009's "Play On." "I've been writing quite a bit. And I've been in the studio a little bit. So I probably have about half an album done right now more

(BBC) Doris Day becomes the oldest artist to score a UK Top 10 with an album of new material, according to the Official Charts Company. more

(FMQB) T.I. is continuing to battle his case of questionable transportation to an Atlanta halfway house. His lawyer claims that no one told him that it was unacceptable to travel with anyone besides his wife. "Bureau of Prison officials did not specifically state at any time that T.I. was limited to being in the vehicle with his wife and no one else," T.I.'s attorney, Steve Sadow, told MTV News. more

(Billboard) "Papercut Chronicles II," Gym Class Heroes' long-awaited sequel to their 2005 breakout album, will be released on Oct. 25 after hanging in limbo without a street date for month. more

(BBC) Oscar-winning US actor Cliff Robertson, who portrayed John F Kennedy in the 1963 film PT-109, dies at the age of 88 more

(Billboard) ABC is going country with Reba McEntire. McEntire is attached to executive produce and star in Malibu Country, which has been sold as a put pilot at the Disney-owned network.more

(BBC) British actors Keira Knightley and Jude Law are to star in a film adaptation of Anna Karenina, it is announced. more

(Jam!) Cyndi Lauper mixed up the words to America's National Anthem during a live TV performance at the U.S. Open semifinals on Saturday. more

Bob Seger Adds Dates

09/12/2011
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Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band have announced additional dates for the second leg to their 2011 North American Tour.

The dates will include a wide range of venues including New York's newly renovated Madison Square Garden, the Eastern Michigan University campus, Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Casino, and Seger's first stadium festival show in decades, Orlando Calling.

Additional dates will be announced shortly including the West coast swing of Seger's tour.

On Tuesday, September 13, Capitol/EMI will reissue Seger's multi-platinum Live Bullet and Nine Tonight concert albums digitally remastered with exclusive bonus tracks. Both titles will be released with restored original artwork and updated packaging and offered in a special CD/T-Shirt Box combination at select retailers.

Wed, Nov 2 Ypsilanti, MI Eastern Michigan University
Fri, Nov 4 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
Wed, Nov 9 Evansville, IN Ford Center
Fri, Nov 11 Greenville, SC BI-LO Center
Sun, Nov 13 Orlando, FL Orlando Calling Festival
Tue, Nov 15 Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
Thu, Nov 17 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
Sat, Nov 19 Pittsburgh, PA Consol Energy Center
Fri, Nov 25 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
Sat, Nov 26 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Tue, Nov 29 Worcester, MA DCU Center
Thu, Dec 01 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Sat, Dec 03 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center

Monday Quick Hits!!

Hear Dream Theater's New Album- Kings Of Leon DVD- Linkin Park Star Scores Movie- Nightrage Delay- Lost Cheap Trick- Lamb of Devildriver- Ozzy 9/11 Cross- more

09/12/2011
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(Noisecreep) You can now stream Dream Theater's 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' in its entirety. Roadrunner Records' German office posted the long-awaited 11th studio album from the progressive-metal goliaths on their official website more

(FMQB) Kings of Leon will release their documentary film on DVD, Blu Ray, and via iTunes on November 1. The DVD and Blu Ray editions of Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon will come with 45 minutes of bonus features including additional scenes not included in the film more

(Loudwire) Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda has signed on to score 'The Raid,' the high-flying action flick gaining buzz around stars martial arts master Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim. more

Due to some production difficulties out of our control Lifeforce Records has been forced to postpone the North American streetdate for Nightrage's new album "Insidious" from September 27th to October 11th. more

"Lost" tracks from Cheap Trick's Live At Budokan album will be featured on '70's Hard Rock Revisited show today more

(Noisecreep) DevilDriver vocalist Dez Fafara and Lamb of God guitarist are writing new songs together. Through a series of Tweets on both of their personal Twitter pages, the musicians revealed that they have begun working on new material together. more

(Classic Rock) Gene Simmons is to host this year's Classic Rock Roll Of Honour. And the musician to be given the coveted Living Legend award has also been revealed. Jeff Beck will follow in the footsteps of such greats as Jimmy Page, Lemmy, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop and Ozzy Osbourne in being recipient of this honour. more

(SRX) Ozzy Osbourne was gifted a special metal cross made from the World Trade Center rubble in the weeks following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. more

Puscifer have released a video for "Man Overboard," the first single from their upcoming album Conditions of My Parole (Oct. 18, Puscifer Entertainment). Animation by Meats Meier. Check it out here

(Lambgoat) Norma Jean has spent the last few weeks writing material for their next album. The group has produced demos for five tracks thus far, recording with Adam Putman (brother of Norma Jean singer Cory Putman) at Insomniac Studios in Fayetteville, AR. more

(MU) ZP Theart announced that he is currently in the studio for an unnamed project. This is the first news from the former Dragonforce singer since his departure from the power metal band earlier this year more

(Lambgoat) Close Your Eyes will hit the road next month in support of their forthcoming Victory Records release. The two-week tour will also include The Color Morale, Like Moths To Flames, Counterparts, and Affiance. more

(Lambgoat) Ghost has dropped off their upcoming U.S. tour with Enslaved and Alcest. The group has issued the following statement: "Due to some last minute complications with our visas, we have been forced to cancel our North American tour." more

(Billboard) A New York City gallery will be exhibiting 18 drawings and paintings by Bob Dylan created while the musician was touring Asia. more

(Lambgoat) Autopsy will enter the studio next month to record material for a "special release" through Peaceville Records. more

Get a little behind the scenes look at Never Shout Never's "Time Travel" video shoot here

(Lambgoat) As I Lay Dying will headline "A Decade of Destruction" tour from November 20th through December 16th. Support will be provided by Of Mice & Men, The Ghost Inside, Iwrestledabearonce, and Sylosis. more

Cliff Robertson Uncle Ben in 'Spider-Man' Movies Dead at 88

Cliff Robertson, who won an Oscar in 1968 and became known to modern audiences for his roll as Uncle Ben in the "Spider-Man" movies, died yesterday. He was 88.

Robertson famously portrayed John F. Kennedy in the movie "PT-109," the first movie to portray a sitting president.

He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1968 for his portrayal of a mentally disabled man in the movie "Charly."

Robertson was a certified pilot and was in the air and piloting a private plane over New York City on the morning of September 11, 2001.

'Spartacus' Star Andy Whitfield Dead at 39

Andy Whitfield -- who left the show "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma -- died today in Sydney, Australia. He was 39.

Whitfield's wife issued a statement, saying her husband died on a "sunny Sydney morning" in the "arms of his loving wife."

Chris Albrecht, President and CEO of Starz (which aired "Spartacus"), released a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Andy Whitfield. We were fortunate to have worked with Andy in 'Spartacus' and came to know that the man who played a champion on-screen was also a champion in his own life."

Rowdy Roddy Piper My Neck Is BROKEN!!!

Wrestling icon Rowdy Roddy Piper says doctors at UCLA are about to slash his neck open and take a hammer and a chisel to his neck bones ... after discovering he's been wrestling with a BROKEN NECK.

57-year-old Piper went to his Twitter and explained he had been experiencing neck pain for quite a while -- but didn't think it was a big deal. In fact, he says he was WRESTLING through the pain for the past couple of months.

But Piper says he got an MRI recently -- and when the docs saw the results, they went into "911 mode" -- and scheduled a surgery as quickly as they could.

"So just for the record," Piper explains, "I beat, The Miz, Terry Funk, and 2 others guys with a brokrn neck!!"

Piper says he's going under the knife in just a few hours -- but tells his fans, "There [sic] using all the smarts they have at UCLA. I SAY BRING IT ON! CUT DEEP!!! I'M NOT AFRAID!!"

'Contagion' cleans up box office with first place

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Contagion" infected enough moviegoers to catch the top spot at the box office.

The Warner Bros. pandemic thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring an A-list cast that includes Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow coughed up $23.1 million in its first weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The film's contagious opening marked the beginning of the fall movie season by exceeding the studio's estimates.

"I think Steven Soderbergh made a compelling movie that tapped into that fear that many of us have about illnesses, viruses and pandemics," said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. general sales manager. "It's like a train or car accident. You can't look away. You prefer not to think about it, but when it's presented to you, you want to learn more."

Despite the breakout success of "Contagion," it was the lowest grossing weekend of the year so far for the film industry, according to Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com. Dergarabedian said that's typical for the weekend after Labor Day and expected business to pick up in the coming weeks as the Academy Awards race begins.

"There are some great titles that are on the way," said Dergarabedian. "I see several promising films — Oscar contenders like '50/50,' 'The Descendants' and 'Ides of March,' and even potential big moneymakers like 'Real Steel.'"

"The Help," the acclaimed DreamWorks Pictures drama distributed by Disney about black Southern maids speaking out during the civil-rights movement, slipped to No. 2 with $8.7 million after three straight weeks at the top, bringing its domestic total to $137 million.

"Warrior," the Lionsgate mixed-martial arts drama starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, punched up a $5.6 million debut in the No. 3 position. David Spitz, head of distribution for Lionsgate, said he expects "Warrior" to mirror the simmering success of "The Help."

"The film has gotten unbelievable reviews," said Spitz. "The audience reaction we're getting on the movie is consistent. People like the film. It's a slow burn. We think we're going to be in theaters for a long time."

Overseas, the family smash "The Smurfs" continued to dominate, pulling in $14.9 million to pad its international total to $321.2 million and its worldwide haul to $457.2 million. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" again came in second internationally with $12.5 million, lifting its overseas take to $207.6 million and its worldwide total to $375.4 million.

___

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Contagion," $23.1 million. ($2.1 million international.)

2. "The Help," $8.7 million.

3. "Warrior," $5.6 million.

4. "The Debt," $4.9 million. ($1.5 million international.)

5. "Colombiana," $4 million.

6. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," $3.8 million. ($12.5 million international.)

7. "Shark Night 3D," $3.5 million. ($500,000 international.)

8. "Apollo 18," $2.9 million. ($425,000 international.)

9. "Our Idiot Brother," $2.7 million.

10. "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World," $2.5 million. ($425,000 international.)

___

Estimated non-holiday weekend ticket sales at international theaters (excluding the U.S. and Canada), according to Rentrak Corp.:

1. "The Smurfs," $14.9 million.

2. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," $12.5 million.

3. "Final Destination 5," $10.8 million.

4. "Friends with Benefits," $10.2 million.

5. "Captain America: The First Avenger," $8 million.

6. "Cowboys & Aliens," $5.5 million.

7. "Horrible Bosses," $5.3 million.

8. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," $3.4 million.

9. "The Zookeeper," $3.3. million.

10. "Crazy, Stupid, Love," $2.9 million.

'Austin Powers' Villain LIFE IN PRISON For Torturing Woman

The actor who played bad guy Random Task in "Austin Powers" has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the brutal gang rape and torture of a woman on Christmas Eve in 1990.

Joseph Hyungmin Son had been found guilty of felony torture -- for an incident in which a young woman was kidnapped, shoved into the back of a trunk ... and then raped and sodomized multiple times by Son and another man.

During today's hearing, an Orange County, CA judge ruled that Son may become eligible for parole during his sentence.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, released a statement to the court saying, "My emotional scars are intense. My twenties were stripped from my life as I relearned how to walk, see, hear and cope with the outside world again."

She adds, "Joseph Son not only cost me my job at my salon but also my college savings ... not to mention the impact it's made on celebrating Christmas year after year."

Quick Hits II

Rihanna Strips- Lady Gaga TV for New Year's- J.Lo and Enrique Iglesias- Wiz Khalifa Escapes Drug Charges- Jury Selection Begins for Michael Jackson Case- more

09/09/2011
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(Jam!) Rihanna has stripped off to get dirty in a sizzling new men's magazine video. The singer can be seen rubbing dry dirt over her naked body and face and pouting for the camera in the black-and-white Esquire clip more

(Billboard) Lady Gaga has made her New Year's plans four months in advance, agreeing to perform on the 40th anniversary of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012." more

(Billboard) Enrique Iglesias is finalizing production of three to four new tracks that will be part of a repackaged edition of his hit album, "Euphoria," set for release in November. Iglesias recorded a new song with Jennifer Lopez which will make part of the new "Euphoria" set. more

(BBC) The star of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Paddy Doherty, is crowned the winner of Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother. more

(Billboard) Wiz Khalifa's birthday was yesterday and luckily for him, he escaped some drug charges stemming from an arrest last November in North Carolina. The District Attorney decided the amount of marijuana seized from Khalifa's tour bus did not exceed the 10 pound threshold for a trafficking charge. more

(Jam!) Attorneys in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor began jury selection Thursday, but absent from the courthouse was the media circus that hovered around previous Jackson proceedings. more

(Jam!) Jessica Simpson has silenced speculation she's planning to undergo breast reduction surgery, jokingly telling fans: "It's udderly not true!" more

Sting: The Best Of 25 Years Coming in October

09/09/2011
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Sting: The Best Of 25 Years will be released on October 18, 2011 and will feature 12 remastered tracks, including several remixes and newly unearthed live recordings

Highlights include the No. 1 hits "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" and "All This Time," as well as Grammy winners "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" and "Whenever I Say Your Name" featuring Mary J. Blige. The CD also includes a new mix of "Never Coming Home" as well as previously unreleased live versions of "Message In A Bottle," "Demolition Man" and "Heavy Cloud No Rain".

Also recently announced, Sting: 25 Years, the definitive box set, will be released on September 27, 2011. This consummate collection contains three comprehensive CDs personally curated by Sting, as well as a DVD, Rough, Raw & Unreleased: Live at Irving Plaza, featuring previously unreleased live concert footage filmed at New York City's Irving Plaza. The discs are housed in a beautiful, hardcover book containing rare photos, complete lyrics, and newly written commentary by Sting.

Embodying the highlights and rarities of his illustrious solo career, STING: THE BEST OF 25 YEARS and Sting: 25 Years (3 CD/1 DVD box set) celebrate the distinctive work of one of the world's most dynamic artists.

STING: THE BEST OF 25 YEARS

If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
We'll Be Together
Fragile
All This Time
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
Fields Of Gold
Desert Rose
Whenever I Say Your Name
Never Coming Home
Message In A Bottle (Live)
Demolition Man (Live)
Heavy Cloud No Rain (Live)

Rolling Stones Get Together

Caught on camera at the same place and at the same time, The Rolling Stones have caused quite a stir in the British press. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts were snapped leaving an office in London on Wednesday, September 7.

With a much-rumored 50th anniversary tour for 2012 perhaps now in the works, the Daily Mail gushed over the legendary band’s youthful appearance. The newspaper said: “The band still showed they had star power, with a fan touching Ronnie Wood and a photographer taking his picture as he is ushered into a waiting car. Keith [Richards] joined his bandmate in the young-dressing stakes, donning one of his trademark headscarves underneath a stylish hat.”

Jagger is currently busy with his SuperHeavy alongside Joss Stone, Damian Marley, Dave Stewart and A.R. Rahman. And it was announced this week that Richards’ autobiography Life, published last year, has sold over one million copies.

Nickelback To Deliver New Album, Double Singles and Tour

09/09/2011
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Roadrunner have set a November 21st release date for Nickelback's new studio album, Here and Now.

The label also plans to release two singles simultaneously. "When We Stand Together" and "Bottoms Up" will ship to Pop and Rock radio stations respectively on September 26, 2011 and will be available for sale digitally September 27, 2011.

Nickelback will embark on a new world tour in support of the release in early 2012 with dates to be announced shortly.

Produced by Nickelback and recorded at Mountain View Studios, Vancouver, BC, Here and Now is Nickelback's seventh studio record and is the follow up to 2008's Dark Horse which has been certified 3-times platinum, racking up over five million digital single sales and more than 52 million video plays over the course of the album's campaign.

"We're four people who love making music, the way we like to make it," says Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger. "We entered the studio this year with a vision, and it all came together. We're extremely happy with the results, and can't wait to share them with our fans."

QUICK HITS TODAY!

Download New Pearl Jam- Dave Grohl Vs Glee Round 2- Adele Tops Beatles and Pink Floyd- AFI Break Up A Hoax- Killwhitneydead Return- Evanescence Tease- more

09/09/2011
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(Antiquiet) Pearl Jam was going to unveil a brand new song on Jimmy Fallon’s show last night, but they pulled a fast one on us and put a finished studio version of it up on their site just minutes before the show aired! It’s called “Olé,” and it’s a bouncy little rocker – check out the song here

(Classic Rock) Adele has become the first artist to sell three million copies of an album in the UK during a calendar year, the album in question being 21. Not even The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band or Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon have done that before. more

(Loudwire) Head Foo Fighter Dave Grohl reiterated his stance against having his music in Glee during an appearance on ‘Chelsea Lately.’ He said, “As a musician, you should be able to say no. You should be able to say, ‘No, I don’t want to do your show,’” Grohl told Chelsea. “Why should you have to say, ‘Okay, Glee. Take my song and turn it into a f—ing musical?’” more

(Billboard) Rumors and reports were flying around yesterday that goth-rockers AFI had split up. But it was apparently all a misunderstanding: the band's management posted a statement on the band's Facebook page declaring that AFI has definitely not broken up more

(The 1st Five) Four Year Strong's new album, In Some Way, Shape, Or Form, release date has been pushed back to November 8th rather than October 4th but there is some good news. Read about it here

(Lambgoat) Senses Fail will be touring in November with Stick To Your Guns, Make Do And Mend, and The Story So Far in tow. more

(The 1st Five) Touche Amore will be joined by Pianos Become Teeth and Seaheaven on the Fall dates that include a couple of fests. more

(Noisecreep) Throwdown will headline the first annual Brawloween tour, a brand new live event which will stretch across the West Coast with support from Carnifex, First Blood and Suffokate. more

(BMN) A teaser for "What You Want", the first single/video from Evanescence's upcoming self-titled third album has gone online. The clip was filmed on July 30 on a makeshift stage inside a Brooklyn warehouse. "This video is sort of, like, the history of the band," Evanescence singer Amy Lee told MTV News. "This club [set] is emulating old shows we used to play in the beginning — we used to play this club called Vino's in Little Rock — it's sort of like back then, the gritty, dirty club, sweaty. And basically, it's also [about] New York, where I've been, [and] where [bassist] Tim [McCord] lived in the past few years since we've been gone. And it's sort of about escaping New York and ... coming back out into the world." Watch it here

On September 20th Eagle Rock will release the very last live performance in the life of acclaimed guitarist/singer/songwriter Gary Moore. Live At Montreux 2010 strikingly shows a major return-to-rock for the musician who spent years exploring the blues. In fact, in the last days of his life, Moore, who died on February 6 of this year, was working on a new rock album. We were sent a preview clip from the release, check out Gary Moore performing ‘Where Are They Now’ here

(Lambgoat) Killwhitneydead, returning from an unannounced hiatus back in May of 2010, have nearly completed work on their new album, and first since 2007. The new record, titled "Suffer My Wrath," is due for release in early-2012. The band says they "decided to give fans an early preview of the album's more straightforward metal direction in the form of the track 'Sound The Alarms.'" Check it out here

I’m not Will Ferrell… I don’t even look like him

September 8, 2011

But Chilis drummer Chad admits he sometimes lets people think he’s movie star – because that’s easier than denying it
Chad Smith and Will Ferrell

Snap: Smith and Ferrell

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith knows people think he looks like movie star Will Ferrell – although he doesn’t see the likeness himself.

But when the pair met at a film premiere, the comedy actor appeared to see a similarity.

And the sticksman admits he sometimes finds it easier to allow people who’ve mistaken him for Ferrell to continue in their belief.

Asked if he has to deal with the confusion often, Smith tells Rolling Stone: “I certainly do. I don’t think that I look much like him, but people really seem to think that’s who I am, especially at airports and things.”

Confusion usually arises when someone recognises Smith for who he is, but then other people wonder about his identity and jump to the wrong conclusion.

Smith says: “People who come up to me are drummers or fans of the band. I’ll be somewhere and someone will have me take a picture or something.

“Someone else will see that, and they’ll come over and say, ‘Will Ferrell?’ I have to say ‘No,’ and they’ll be like, ‘Bullshit, man – I just saw you taking pictures with that man. Why do you have to be like that?’

“I’m just like, ‘Dude, I’m telling you, I’m not Will Ferrell.’ A lot of the time it’s easier to just agree with them and take the picture and they go away.

“It’s weird to look like someone so much that people aren’t even asking if you’re the guy. They just come up saying, ‘I loved you in that movie’.”

Smith has only come face-to-face with his alleged double once, after the first showing of 2000 comedy film Ladies Man, in which Ferrell appeared.

“I was in the food line after the movie and I was getting chicken skewers and shrimp cocktail or whatever,” the drummer recalls. “I’m filling up my plate and he’s filling up his plate, and there’s this guy between us.

“I’m looking at Will and thinking, ‘People really think I look like him? I don’t fucking look like that.’ So the guy between us splits and there’s nobody between us, and Will turns round.

“He looks me up and down and says, ‘You’re very handsome,’ and walks away. Totally deadpan. I was like, ‘You’re funny. You’re funny’.”

SEBASTIAN BACH INTERVIEW:

September 7, 2011

Websites: www.sebastianbach.com - www.facebook.com/sebastianbach
Interviewer: Ruben Mosqueda

Sebastian Bach has been in the news as of late -- he's got a new album coming out entitled 'Kicking & Screaming' and his home was recently condemned thanks to the storms created by Hurricane Irene. Sleaze Roxx caught up with the former Skid Row front man to talk about his new album, producer Bob Marlette, his new guitarist Nick Sterling, the possibility of a country album, working on music with Slash and Duff, why he's become the target of Metal Sludge and what it would take to get Skid Row back together. Sebastian was exactly like you would expect -- an animated, intense, and over-the-top interview subject. This interview turned out to be a goldmine and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed conducting it.

Sleaze Roxx: First of all I'd like to give my condolences on the loss of your house and all the musical and non-musical personal possessions inside -- as rock and metal fans we can relate with collecting things. And after all that here you are doing interviews to promote your new album 'Kicking & Screaming.'

Sebastian Bach Sleaze Roxx Interview Sebastian Bach: Well thank you. I have to push forward. The album is the best thing in my life right now by far. It's a great escape from the shit that is my life at this moment. I'm talking to you from my hotel where I'm living. It's ironic that I wrote this piece about Jani Lane when he passed away and I just couldn't imagine how lonely it must have been to have been alone in a Comfort Inn. Little did I know that a week later I'd be living in a fucking Comfort Inn! (laughs) Right now, I'm talking to you alone in a Comfort Inn!

Sleaze Roxx: One of the things that stands out about the new album 'Kicking & Screaming' is that you still have your powerful vocals. I know you don't like talking about Skid Row, but your vocal performance on the new album is comparable to 'Slave To The Grind'.

Sebastian Bach: Hey thanks, that is a very cool thing of you to say. My favorite bands are groups like Rush, AC/DC, Neil Young... bands that keep putting out albums regardless of what the trends are. I'm a music collector and I'm always looking for cool CD's, but the truth is that there are very few good ones being released these days. I consider myself very lucky to be able to release a new album in 2011. I'm not out to reinvent the wheel, I just want to put out an album that is along the lines of 'Slave To The Grind' and 'Angel Down'. I'm here kicking ass and screaming rock 'n' roll.

Sleaze Roxx: What was the inspiration behind this album, and would you agree there is a 'Slave To The Grind' sound to it?

Sebastian Bach: That was a long time ago... 1991 -- that was twenty years ago. I've followed a band like Rush who keep putting out albums, but all their work sits together as one body of work or one big album. They are different but alike, or similar, in some ways. I know what I like and I like great riffs, high energy songs and killer vocals -- that's what I like. That's what I'll continue to do until the day that I die.

This album turned out amazing. I have a new guitarist by the name of Nick Sterling who just turned 21. The guy has added a whole new sound to my band for sure. Nick has this youthful energy that you can't replace -- when you get older you lose that. Luckily I'm extremely immature and haven't progressed past 14. (laughs) Nick and I fit together very well -- we kind of look the same too. When we go out together people come up and ask if Nick is my son or brother.

Sleaze Roxx: You worked with Bob Marlette on 'Kicking & Screaming' who has worked with Alice Cooper, Saliva, and Filter among others. What did Bob bring to the table?

Sebastian Bach: Bob is amazing. He gets this huge bottom end sound on the albums he produces that is really low and cool. With my high voice I need a strong bottom end to even everything out. Like the bass on "Monkey Business" from 'Slave To The Grind' is loud and powerful. When I sing that high I have to have the bass like that to equal out sonically.

Sebastian Bach Sleaze Roxx Interview With 'Kicking and Screaming' Bob made an incredible sonically crazy record. If you listen to the album on a good stereo system, it doesn't matter if it's the CD or the vinyl edition, it will blow you away. I'm a huge audiophile and a production nut. We spent weeks in the studio, so it wasn't like we went in and cut the album is six days or something. We really put our time in trying to make the album sonically incredible. People are still listening to those Skid Row albums that were recorded over 20 years ago. When I set out to record an album I want to record something that you'll be listening to 20 years from now. So what I do now has to stand up to that, which is not an easy thing to do.

Bob is also a great songwriter. We wrote the song "Kicking & Screaming" with him and we also wrote a super-heavy tune called "Dirty Power" with him too. It all came together very good and Bob is great with the vocals -- he helped me get a great vocal performance. He let me sing things as many times as I wanted -- though nobody is ever going to tell me to stop singing! (laughs) Bob let me work as hard as I could which made me completely happy. I'm completely happy with the record.

Sleaze Roxx: As you mentioned earlier Nick Sterling is your new guitarist. How did you find him?

Sebastian Bach: I was on a plane and I was reading Guitar World Magazine. I was shooting the show Celebrity Fit Club for VH-1 and I was going back and forth for several weeks and was buying every magazine I could to read. I bought an issue with Neil Young on the cover and I was flipping through the magazine and saw an amplifier ad that read something like, 'Nick Sterling has his'. The guy looked cool and he had this rock star look. I went to his website and the riff that came through the computer speakers to "Dance On Your Grave" took my head off. It was right then and there that I said, "I want to sing on that." I got a hold of Nick and I was about to head out on the road with Guns N' Roses the next month. I asked him, "Hey dude, you want to join my band and play stadiums in South America with Guns N' Roses?" He said, "Yeeeeeeeeeeah!" (laughs) We went on the road immediately with Alice Cooper and then we did the Guns N' Roses tour. That was two years ago and now we have this incredible record and I look forward to making more albums with him.

Sleaze Roxx: In my opinion the songs that hit the spot are "Kicking & Screaming" and "Dirty Power", as far as rockers go, and then the ballads "I'm Alive" and "Dream Forever". These songs are great and are comparable to the classic Skid Row sound.

Sebastian Bach: Don't forget the last song on the record dude -- it wouldn't be a Sebastian Bach record without ballads dude. (laughs) I've always been known as a singer that does ballads. People love "18 And Life" and "I Remember You". When I did Broadway I was known for belting out "This Is The Moment" in Jekyll and Hyde. My voice sounds very unique when I sing ballads. I've learned a lot from Steve Perry of Journey and I can sing in that high tenor range. It's that "Don't Stop Believing" higher tenor range that people latch onto. People freak out when you can sing that kind of stuff! (laughs) Just like they freak out when you can hit all the high register stuff on a song like "I Remember You." I love singing ballads. I remember my old band did an interview and they were talking about doing a new album with no ballads. I wish people would ask me why I'm not in that band -- I'm not going to be in a band that doesn't do ballads! (laughs)

Sleaze Roxx: Regardless of what I think or don't think about Skid Row these days, your input is sorely lacking in that band.

Sebastian Bach Sleaze Roxx Interview Sebastian Bach: Well thank you. I was really the metal head in that band. I was the guy in the studio with producer Michael Wagener working on guitar tones and screams. I was into metal while some of those others guys were into Bruce Springsteen or The Sex Pistols. I was into Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Dio -- that's where I came from. I look at it this way, other forms of music come and go but metal never goes away. That's the kind of music that once it gets in your blood you need it to survive. Heavy cool riffs is what I enjoy.

Sleaze Roxx: What would it take to get you and Skid Row back together?

Sebastian Bach: For me what it would take is some new music, that's what I'd be interested in. We could get back together and do a tour but when the tour ends there's nothing to show for it. Going on tour and playing only 20 year old songs doesn't interest me -- I don't want to be a nostalgia act. Something like that doesn't interest me at all. I want to put out new music, and there is no reason why we couldn't do that. I got into this because of the music. When we are dead and gone the music will be left behind and it will live on. To me that's a form of immortality and it's more appealing and interesting to me at this point.

Sleaze Roxx: As you've mentioned, you maintained a relationship with Axl Rose for years now. If he comes calling would you do a North American tour with him?

Sebastian Bach: I'm sure there's a chance of it. I haven't received any word on that at this point, but he's taken me out so much that if he doesn't I'd be okay with it. I would love to play with him anytime. Who knows if it will happen? If it does it would be great.

Sleaze Roxx: When Slash and Duff McKagan were putting together Velvet Revolver did you audition for them to be in the band

Sebastian Bach: It wasn't an audition, I didn't walk in and sing some songs -- it wasn't like that. I worked with them for a month or a little over. The guys gave me five songs with no vocals so I wrote lyrics and melodies and then we went into the studio to record it. So you see it was a little more than an audition. I still have those songs on my iPod.

What happened was that I was in the play 'Jesus Christ Superstar', on a national tour, they were paying me and Velvet Revolver was not. I had to take care of my family so I went on the road with 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' They chose Scott Weiland, so they put their faith in a heroin addict. How did that work out for them? I would put my faith in a drug addict alright! (laughs) I might drink a little bit of wine, and on occasion stain my teeth, but that's it! Listen, if they had picked me we'd probably still be together right now. I'm a musician like them -- I'm not a junkie and not into that kind of thing. So they don't have a singer and I have a new album. Let's rock! (laughs)

Sleaze Roxx: You participated in the show 'Gone Country' and you wrote and recorded the song "Battle With The Bottle." There was talk of a country album at one point, what happened to that?

Sebastian Bach Sleaze Roxx Interview Sebastian Bach: Great question... I have the answer. You're the first one to ask me that. On the deluxe edition of 'Kicking & Screaming' there's a DVD 'As Long As I've Got The Music' which is an hour long movie that we made. There's live footage from around the world -- from Santiago, Chile, Bogota, Colombia, San Sebastian, Spain, London, England and Fairfax, Canada. The DVD features live footage from all of those places, the three music videos that we shot for the album, and behind the scenes of the making of the record. It's a great DVD if I do say so myself. There's an Easter Egg on the DVD which is an HD quality video clip of "Battle With The Bottle". I don't know how to access it, but I know it's there! (laughs)

Now on the CD the bonus track "Jumping Off The Wagon" is another cool and fun song that was produced by John Rich. That was written by Jeffery Steele, Vicky McGhehee and myself. On the iTunes release there's a demo of a song that I wrote with Jeffery Steele and Vicky McGhehee that's called "Ain't There Yet." That's a country flavored song that you can pick up on the iTunes digital version on 'Kicking & Screaming.' So there you go, that stuff is coming out.

Sleaze Roxx: Would you consider doing an album of country or country rock material?

Sebastian Bach: I did at one time, back when I did 'Gone Country', but rock 'n' roll took over. There are a couple songs left that are very good that I wrote with Jeffery Steele and Vicky McGhehee. Since I have Nick Sterling in the band I just can't see doing an album like that right now.

Sleaze Roxx: Last question, there's a particular website (Metal Sludge) out there that for whatever reason has targeted you in particular. I don't know exactly what went down -- can you share some insight as to what happened?

Sebastian Bach: Right, Stevie Rachelle's website. (pauses) I'll tell you exactly what that's about. Stevie Rachelle was in a band called Tuff that was a Skid Row/Poison kind of band that never made it. He came up with a website about the bands that did make it. He's a jealous guy that never had any musical success. When he started his website Stevie Rachelle emailed me asking me to do an interview for the website. I went to look at the website and I said, "No. I think your website sucks. I think this website is bullshit. I think it's wrong that you have nothing better to do with your time than to fuck with people's lives. You can hate me, but I'm not doing an interview for your bullshit website." I received a response from him saying, "Well, then we're going to make your life a living hell." That's exactly what he's tried to do. He goes after my children, he goes after my ex-wife, he goes after my current girlfriend -- I'm divorced because of some of the stuff on that website and my kids don't have their father partially due to that website. Let me just say that I really look forward to meeting him again in person -- as soon as I can. I certainly have some things to say to Stevie Rachelle from Tuff... we'll see whose tough in person.

Sleaze Roxx: Ever wonder why you? To the best of my knowledge you weren't the only musician to decline doing an interview for the site?

Sebastian Bach: The only thing that I can think of is that I was the guy that he probably wanted to be. I'm sure if there's a jealousy factor I make him more jealous than anybody! (laughs)