Today's Day in Rock
Red Hot Chili Peppers Explain Faked Super Bowl Performance
(hennemusic) The Red Hot Chili Peppers have admitted to miming their performance during the Super Bowl 48 halftime show with Bruno Mars in New Jersey on Sunday.
On Tuesday, Peppers bassist Flea posted a lengthy explanation about the band's decision to mime to their own backing tracks while frontman Anthony Kiedis sang live.
Flea had this explanation for fans, "When we were asked by the NFL and Bruno to play our song Give It Away at the Super Bowl, it was made clear to us that the vocals would be live, but the bass, drums, and guitar would be pre-recorded. I understand the NFL's stance on this, given they only have a few minutes to set up the stage, there a zillion things that could go wrong and ruin the sound for the folks watching in the stadium and the t.v. viewers. There was not any room for argument on this, the NFL does not want to risk their show being botched by bad sound, period.
"The Red Hot Chili Peppers stance on any sort of miming has been that we will absolutely not do it. The last time we did it (or tried to) was in the late 80's, we were thrown off of 'The Top Of the Pops' television program in the U.K. during rehearsals because we refused to mime properly, I played bass with my shoe, John played guitar atop Anthony's shoulders, and we basically had a wrestling match onstage, making a mockery of the idea that it was a real live performance.
"We mimed on one or two weird MTV shows before that and it always was a drag. We take our music playing seriously, it is a sacred thing for us, and anyone who has ever seen us in concert (like the night before the Super Bowl at the Barclays Center), knows that we play from our heart, we improvise spontaneously, take musical risks, and sweat blood at every show. We have been on the road for 31 years doing it.
"So, when this Super Bowl gig concept came up, there was a lot of confusion amongst us as whether or not we should do it, but we eventually decided, it was a surreal-like, once in a life time crazy thing to do and we would just have fun and do it. We had given this a lot of thought before agreeing to do it, and besides many a long conversation amongst ourselves, I spoke with many musician friends for whom I have the utmost respect, and they all said they would do it if asked, that it was a wild trippy thing to do, what the hell. Plus, we the RHCP all love football too and that played a big part in our decision. We decided that, with Anthony singing live, that we could still bring the spirit and freedom of what we do into the performance, and of course we played every note in the recording specially for the gig. I met and spoke with Bruno, who was a beautiful dude, a real talented musician, and we worked out something that seemed like it would be fun." Read the rest of his statement here.
Linkin Park Changing Things Up On New Album
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda has broken his recent silence to let fans in on what the band has been working on. Shinoda posted a lengthy update on his website about their new album, which he hints will be coming this summer.
Here is what he had to say: "As many of you have already noticed, I've been away from my blog / Twitter / Instagram for a while, since we're pretty deep into the writing and recording process. I wanted to take a moment to tell you about what's going on.
"As most Linkin Park fans know, the sound of each album is usually quite different from the last. The new album is no exception. But as usual, the album's sound twists and turns as it is created, so any attempt at estimating what it sounds like today would be silly. The moment I tell you it sounds like 'X', the songs will automatically take a drastic turn and evolve into something different within a week. But what I can tell you is I'm inspired. We're inspired.
"The band is trying all kinds of things we haven't before. First of all, we're not in the same studio. All our previous albums (except MTM) were recorded at the same studio; this album is not being done there. All our previous albums were done with a producer at the helm; this album has largely been self-produced. We normally write in a organized and regimented style, recorded into the computer; this album has been the product of a mix of focused experimentation and free form jamming. We're even tracking parts to tape instead of going exclusively digital.
"I've been spending 10-12 hours a day in the studio-jamming, experimenting, writing, recording, re-writing, re-recording…searching for the sound that truly captures where we're at as a band right now. Something bold and energetic. Something with a balance between the chaos and order.
"As ever, we're digging deep to craft the best songs that will set the tone for the next step, that will draw a line between what we're doing and everything else.
"We can't wait for you to hear it this summer." Mike's update.
Motley Crue Looking At Releasing New Music
(hennemusic) Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx says the band has no plans to issue a new album in sync with their upcoming farewell tour, but the group is considering options regarding the release of new music.
"We have music written, [but] it's not put together yet," Sixx tells 95.1 KSKY in Rapid City, South Dakota. "It's hard, to be honest with you, to spend six [or] nine months to write eleven songs - all those lyrics… everything… the vocals, the guitars, the bass, the sonics, the mixing, the mastering, the artwork… You put it out and nothing [happens], because now people cherry-pick songs.
"So we go, 'Why don't we write songs and find vehicles to get one, two or four songs to ten million people rather than eleven songs to a hundred thousand people. That's how we're thinking. I don't know if it's right or wrong, but that's how we're thinking." more on this story
Chevelle Reveal First Song From New Album
(Banana 101.5) Chevelle are back with a brand new song 'Take Out the Gunman,' which is the first single from 'La Gargola,' their new studio album due out April 1st, 2014.
Chicago rock trio Chevelle re-teamed with producer Joe Barresi for their seventh full-length studio album 'La Gargola,' which is Spanish for "The Gargoyle." Barresi also produced the band's previous effort 'Hats Off to the Bull.' The official release date is set for April 1st, and a tour in support of the album is likely to follow.
The group's previous outing with Barresi pushed them in some new directions sonically, and 'Take Out the Gunman' seems to showcase a step further in that evolution. Check out the song here.
Jack White's Paramount Records Box Sets Face Legal Challenge
(The Blues Jack White's Paramount Records box sets are the subject of legal action after another label claimed they own the release rights to the iconic firm's catalogue.
Third Man Records, owned by White, teamed up with Revenant Records last year to create The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, a two-volume collection spanning blues, jazz and related music originally released between 1917 and 1932.
The "Box Of Wonder" packages drew attention as they include over 800 tracks, six special vinyl discs and a host of collectable items, all presented in handmade wooden containers. The first was released last year and the second is set for launch in November.
But not-for-profit body the GHB Foundation claim they've owned the Paramount rights since 1970 - and spokesman Lars Edegan says he has paperwork to prove it.
Revenant boss Dean Blackwood has responded by telling Offbeat: "We informed the foundation we would gladly come to an agreement if they could prove ownership. To date they haven't." more.
Jimi Hendrix's Final Interview Animated In New Video
(hennemusic) The final interview given by Jimi Hendrix before his death in the fall of 1970 has been animated by PBS web series Blank On Blank. The theme of Blank On Blank's series is "famous names, lost interviews."
The interview was recorded on September 11, 1970. Hendrix's session with NME journalist Keith Allston took place a week before the guitarist died in London.
Hendrix speaks candidly on a variety of topics, including future collaborations, politics, and his contributions to music. Check out the newly animated interview here.
Metallica's Lar Ulrich Revisits Napster Debate
(TeamRock Radio) Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich tackled the question of the band's notorious lawsuit against Napster when he took part in a Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session last week.
He insisted he didn't regret launching the action that resulted in the closure of the early filesharing network, but added: "I do find it odd how big of a part of our legacy it has become to so many people, because to me it's more like a footnote."
Ulrich stated the move was never about money, saying: "People used the word 'greed' all the time, which was so bizarre. The whole thing was about one thing and one thing only - control.
"Not about the internet, not about money, not about file sharing, not about giving sh*t away for free or not, but about whose choice it was. If I wanna give my sh*t away for free, I'll give it away for free. That choice was taken away from me." more on this story
The Scorpions Cover Dio Classic For Tribute Album
(hennemusic) The Scorpions are recording a cover of the Rainbow classic, "Temple Of The King", which will be part of the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album.
"We are taking two days out of our tough schedule and recording that song," guitarist Matthias Jabs tells Classic Rock Revisited. Ronnie James Dio died of stomach cancer on May 16, 2010 at the age of 67.
The project will feature artists performing tracks from the singer's extensive catalog, including material originally released by Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio. more on this story
U2's Free Song Raises More Than $3 Million For Charity
(hennemusic) U2's free download of the new song, "Invisible", has helped raise more than $3 million for the (RED) campaign. In sync with its debut during the Super Bowl 48 broadcast on Sunday, U2 offered a 24-hr free download of the track, with sponsor Bank Of America donating $1 per download to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
U2 will be continuing to support the cause, as "Invisible" is officially released for sale, with all proceeds from every iTunes download going to fight AIDS.
(RED) has already generated more than $240 million for the Global Fund since being founded in 2006 by U2 lead singer Bono and Bobby Shriver in order to drive corporate donations to the fight against AIDS. The additional funding from Bank of America will help (RED) surpass a quarter billion dollars raised. more on this story
Derek Trucks Has Been Trying To Leave Allman Brothers For Years
(The Blues Derek Trucks has revealed he'd been trying to quit the Allman Brothers Band for years, before finally confirming he'd make the break at the end of 2014.
His decision, alongside that of fellow guitarist Warren Haynes, appears to have brought about the end of the band's career on their 45th anniversary, with leader Gregg Allman confirming: "This is it - this is the end."
Trucks tells Rolling Stone: "I've been talking about it for years: not wanting to be on the road 300 days a year with kids growing up." But he adds: "There's so much love and loyalty for the band and music that it's a tough call to make. I've given my half-resignation many years in a row. This year it was known that this was going to be it." more on this story
Dave Lombardo Empathizes With Black Sabbath's Bill Ward
(TeamRock Radio) Former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo says he's learned a harsh lesson after 30 years in the music industry. He was sidelined from the thrash giants at the beginning of 2013 after a disagreement over finances, and eventually replaced permanently by Paul Bostaph.
It's led indirectly to a friendship with estranged Black Sabbath sticksman Bill Ward, who didn't take part in his band's current reunion after saying he hadn't been offered a contract he regarded as "signable."
The thrash drummer says he can't listen to Sabbath album 13 because Ward's not there. "Just knowing a little bit of the situation, I really didn't have the interest to listen to that album," he admits. "But I will one day, eventually."
Reflecting on his career Lombardo says: "There is absolutely no friends when it comes to money. That's the number one lesson I've learned." He had more to say.
Airbourne's Joel O'Keeffe Guests In Bonafide's New Video
(Classic Rock) Swedish rising stars Bonafide return with a music video for new track Rock'n'Roll Skal, which also features Airbourne's Joel O'Keeffe, who's a big fan.
The song is taken from Bonafide's fourth album, Bombo, and sees them reinforcing their commitment to "rock'n'roll debauchery, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, marvellous guitar playing and thunderous rhythm."
They explain: "It was the fans who made us write Rock'n'Roll Skal in the first place, after he experienced being greeted with raised glasses and people screaming 'Skal!' in his face. The video features fans and fellow artists from Sweden, Australia, UK, Spain, Germany and the USA, who all sent their own clips to be edited in.
"If you don't speak Swedish at least you know one word now: 'Skal!'"
View the Classic Rock premiere and the link to grab your exclusive free download here.
Black Stone Cherry Set New Album Release
(Classic Rock) Black Stone Cherry have confirmed their fourth album is to be called Magic Mountain, and it'll be released via Roadrunner Records on May 5th in Europe.
The southern rockers will lead the launch with a single entitled Mary Jane, due out in the coming weeks. The Kentucky four-piece say of the follow-up to 2011′s Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea:
"Not since before our first album have we felt the freedom and confidence that we felt while writing and recording this one. After touring the world behind three previous records that we are extremely proud of, we feel this album best captures the live energy, honesty and vibe that encompasses our true musicianship." more on this story
Galahad Set Release Date For First of Three EPs
(Prog) Galahad have confirmed a February 24 release date for the first of three EPs to be delivered in 2014. Seize The Day contains a single and album version of the title track, taken from 2012 album Battle Scars, along with updated versions of two older songs.
The band explain: "21st Century Painted Lady is based upon Painted Lady, which was first recorded in the mid-1980s but has been given a major overhaul. It now includes a second verse which should have appeared on the original version but didn't.
"Bug Eye, from 1998 album Following Ghosts, has also been brought up to date for 2014. A live version of the original arrangement is also included on the EP." more on this story
Steeleye Span Release Making Of Video For Terry Pratchett Project
(Prog) Steeleye Span have shot a documentary video clip which details the making of Wintersmith, their collaboration with Discworld author Sir Terry Pratchett.
The album was released in October, featuring music by the band and readings from the Tiffany Aching books by their writer. Pratchett, who previously described Wintersmith as "subject matter completely appropriate for Steeleye," says in the clip: "When I was in my late teens, my mate Dave put on Steeleye Span at 11. It was ringing in my ears and that was it - I went to see them whenever I could. Just hearing them has helped me. The whole thing comes together and fits."
Vocalist Maddy Prior recalls: "The first time we were aware that Terry was someone who listened to our music when he was on Desert Island Discs and he chose our track Thomas The Rhymer.
"He came to some gigs after that and we've become friendly over the years. A few years ago he mentioned it would be a good project for us to do." Watch the video here.
Suede Working On New Album
(Gibson) Suede singer Brett Anderson has announced that the band is currently working on a new album, the follow up to last year's Bloodsports. "We're busy writing at the moment," Anderson said in an interview with NME.
"I'm very proud of Bloodsports, and the best thing about it is that it showed us that we can write new music, and relevant new music." In terms of when the fans can expect the new album, Brett said: "We want to carry on writing and pushing forward, so we're taking it somewhere else now. I think it'll be out next year, as we're just writing at the moment so realistically it will be next year."
Meanwhile, Suede has a very special concert coming up at the end of next month. The band are set to close the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit at Royal Albert Hall on March 30 by playing their second album Dog Man Star in full.
The concert marks the 20th anniversary of the album's release, which was the last with original guitarist Bernard Butler. As to whether Butler will be a guest at the show, Anderson says it is not very likely: "I don't think he wants to come back. He's happy doing what he's doing." more on this story
Metallica Frontman James Hetfield Surprises Guitar Center Customers
(hennemusic) Metallica frontman James Hetfield visited the Guitar Center in San Francisco recently to share some stories about himself and his career in a new video by the retail chain.
In a small room, Hetfield recounted tales of his first guitar, becoming a musician, rising to fame, and he played a few riffs during the session.
In the meantime, customers continued to shop in the store, having no idea it was Metallica's frontman playing. This past week, Metallica released their 3D feature film, "Through The Never", on DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, digitally, and V.O.D. (Video On Demand). Watch the video here.
KISS Frontman Paul Stanley Adds Another Book Event
(hennemusic) KISS frontman Paul Stanley has added an April 17th stop at Warwick's in San Diego to the book signing tour for his forthcoming memoir, "Face The Music: A Life Exposed."
Due April 8, the 432-page memoir chronicles Stanley's life and rise to global success with KISS, which he co-founded in January of 1973 with bassist Gene Simmons from the ashes of the pair's previous band, Wicked Lester.
The book will feature rare photographs and candid memories about Stanley's wild life with KISS. Two days after the book is published, KISS will be inducted into the 2014 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame at a ceremony in New York, along with Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt. All the announced book event dates.
Gibson Commemorates Fed Raids with New Guitar Series
(Gibson) As many of you might remember, Gibson was the object of two separate raids by federal agents in 2009 and 2011, during which wood was confiscated.
It was claimed that Gibson didn't exercise due care in importing wood used for its guitars. After a resolution was reached, the wood was returned and used to create a new line of guitars. "We thought we would celebrate getting past that very difficult period," Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz told NewsChannel 5 in Nashville.
Mr. Juszkiewicz said that a limited series of guitars has been created as a way to say thank you to the customers who supported the company during those difficult times. The Government Series II features four of Gibson's most popular models: The Les Paul, the SG, the Flying V, and the Explorer.
The rosewood fingerboard on these guitars is made from the confiscated wood, and each guitar is adorned with the Government Series logo which features a bald eagle with its talons wrapped around a Gibson guitar neck, and each guitar comes with a very special Certificate of Authenticity.
"I personally signed a certificate thanking the buyer, Mr. Juszkiewicz told Fox news. Check out photos here.
Singled Out: The Tripping Souls Share The Story Behind The Riverbed
Today Paul Makris from The Tripping Souls tells us about the song "The Riverbed," one of the fan favorites from their group's 2013 self-titled "The Tripping Souls" release. Here is the story:
So much has happened for The Tripping Souls since we released our self titled, debut CD last March. It's been incredibly well received being added to the playlists of stations all around the US. We've also had way too much fun playing some incredible gigs; opening for Deer Tick at the Rock On Foundation's Sneaker's and Speakers Festival, playing the IPO - Boston Festival, and opening for the very hip, L.A. indie swing band, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for an audience of over 800. We released a single this past fall, called Narrow Road, which was featured on the UK's JosieJo Show. We've also been in the studio working on our forthcoming full length CD, scheduled to be released in 2014. And last but not least, have met and gotten to know a bunch of really cool fans… and that's been incredible! We're especially grateful for all the support.
And even with the focus of the EP tracks, "Stand Back" and "Place That I Love", I still get a number of people asking me what "The Riverbed" is all about! So, here's the story…
A couple years ago, a friend of mine asked me if I'd be interested in going to Africa with him. Considering his wife was standing next to him when he asked, of course I thought it was a trick question. And I certainly wasn't going to get into the middle of that! After convincing me otherwise, I figured it was safe to answer. Always up for an adventure and having been through a couple of pretty tough years personally, my response was, "When do we leave?" A few months later we were off to Tanzania.
Once there, we hopped in a single prop plane and flew west for about three hours. We landed on a dirt runway in a remote region, tossed our backpacks in the back of a jeep, and it began. To say the trip was incredible is a vast understatement. For me, it was more about checking out for a while, unplugging, reacquainting myself with the universe, and really, in somewhat of a spiritual way… more an introspective about what's truly important in this world… we had our clothes in the backpacks and really nothing else. And we didn't need anything else. Just food, shelter, nature. We met locals who had what many here in the U.S. might call, nothing. Barely a roof over their head and food, certainly, no big bank accounts or fancy cars. I still can't get over how happy they were, so friendly and always smiling.
We spend a few days in camps in various regions. The last night in the first camp we were in was so different, though. The camp was on the bank of a river. As this was dry season, the riverbed (hence, the name of the song) was bone dry. The last night we were there, we had dinner in the riverbed by a huge bonfire with torches all around (to keep any wild life away). With just a handful of people in camp, and being in an environment like that, we got to know the others pretty well, very quickly. So naturally, embracing the company of our new friends, the wine started to flow…! In fact, the lyrics "people dancing, people laughing" was no exaggeration. As more wine flowed the numbers started to dwindle (my friend was one of the first to head back to our hut!). Before I knew it, and several bottles of wine later (we stopped counting somewhere around 7…) there were four of us left in the middle of the African wilderness, (lions roaring in the distance), full of wine, with the bonfire barely alive, still sharing some pretty deep thoughts with each other. At that point, it hit me just how rare and very real that night was.
When I got back to the States, I shared this story with my close circle, and that's where the idea and lyrics came from, telling the story of a night I'll never forget. When I brought the demo into the studio (Zippah Studios in Boston), I told Brian (Charles) the story of how the song came about, and how I wanted to try to convey that feeling through the sound. Brian and I think a lot alike in terms of approach (recording through his vintage equipment, etc.). So as expected, he totally got what I was trying to do and captured my vision of what the song should sound like as we laid the tracks down. Brian's so good to work with! And as literal some of the lyrics in the song might seem, it's really about the spirit of that night on the riverbed. It's one I'll never forget.
By the way, I still stay in touch with a few of the people who were on the riverbed that night.
Read more at http://www.antimusic.com/dayinrock/#E3KbG4Ltd6dgLoIF.99
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