Today's Day in Rock
Scott Weiland Returning With New Album and Tour
Former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman Scott Weiland has returned with his solo band that will be releasing their debut album and launching a supporting tour this spring.
The band, dubbed Scott Weiland And The Wildabouts, will be releasing their Rick Parker (The Dandy Worhols, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Jewel) produced album, "Blaster," on March 31st.
Apart from Weiland, the group features guitar player Jeremy Brown, bassist Tommy Black, and drummer Danny Thompson. Weiland had this to say about the album, "The album has its own distinctive sound, but it also can entice those Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver fans who have stuck by me.
"Over the years, I've gone back and forth between art records and being in a band. This is a hybrid. What we've come up with is really heavy, slinky, and sexy. There's a lot of fuzz. The best way to describe it is 'furry.'"
Prior to the album release, the band will be launching a North American tour on February 22 at Pub Rock in Scottsdale, AZ and have announced dates through March 14th in Boston at Brighton Music Hall.
They have also announced festival appearances this spring including the Welcome to Rockville Festival in Jacksonville, FL on April 25th, the Rock on the Range Festival in Columbus OH on May 16th and the BottleRock Music Festival in Napa Valley, CA on May 30th. Check out the tour dates here.
AC/DC and Jack White Lead Coachella Lineup
The first North American 2015 live date for AC/DC has been revealed with the announcement that the legendary hard rockers will be headlining this year's Coachella Festival.
AC/DC have yet to reveal their full North American tour plans in support of their new studio album, "Rock or Bust," which is the veteran band's first album without band cofounder Malcolm Young who retired from the group last year due to his battle with dementia.
The annual music festival is spread over two weekends, April 10-12 and April 17-19, with AC/DC headlining the Friday night slots, Jack White headlining on Saturday and rapper Drake leading the Sunday roster.
As always, the festival will feature an eclectic lineup of artists. This year's lineup will include Steely Dan, Interpol, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Reverend Horton Heat, Alt-J, Belle and Sebastian, Bad Religion, Florence + the Machine, Ryan Adams, Fitz and the Tantrums, Brand New, Tyler the Creator and a lot more. Check out the full lineup here.
Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham Band To Play Festival
Sammy Hagar and The Circle, the band featuring the former Van Halen frontman along with his former VH/Chickenfoot bandmate Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Black Country Communion) and the Waboritas guitarist Vic Johnson, are one of the groups that will be performing at this year's Carolina Rebellion.
The fifth installment of the annual music festival is set to take place on May 2nd and 3rd at the Rock City Campgrounds at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Charlotte, NC area.
Hagar had this to say in the announcement, "Playing with a band like The Circle, we've got a set list made in rock 'n' roll heaven and a band from rock 'n' roll hell. The only missing link is tens of thousands of rocking fans…HELLO CAROLINA!"
Apart from the Circle, the festival will also feature performances from Slipknot, Slayer, Korn, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Godsmack, Marilyn Manson, Halestorm, Breaking Benjamin, and more.
Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor had this to say of their headlining slot, "We are very excited to be headlining Rebellion this year! We're honored to be playing in the company of Cheap Trick, one of my all-time favorites, as well as playing with such good friends like Korn, Halestorm and Slayer!"
Korn frontman Jonathan Davis adds, "Three years ago, we reunited with our brother Head on stage at Carolina Rebellion. Since then, we made a new album and toured the world together. And now we're back to perform our first album in its entirety. Rebellion is going to be a really special show for us."
Journey Announce Las Vegas Residency
(hennemusic) Journey has become the latest classic rock act to announce a Las Vegas residency. "Journey Las Vegas" will see the band will perform 9 shows at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino between April 29 and May 16.
"We are looking forward to bringing it to you in Las Vegas during our residency at The Joint," said Journey guitarist Neal Schon of the residency. "See you soon!"
Journey are following in the footsteps of several other rockers who paved the way with successful extended Vegas runs, including Carlos Santana, Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Rod Stewart and Meat Loaf, among others. Read more here.
The White Stripes Announce New Live Album and DVD
(Radio.com) Hot on the heels of being named as one of the headliners for Coachella, Jack White had another announcement for today: a new White Stripes live album. Sure, his breakthrough band has been broken up for nearly four years, but the Third Man Records' Vault subscription series has been slowly trickling out previously unreleased tunes from the duo.
The newest one holds a special significance, though, as the recording of Under Amazonian Lights took place in Manaus, Brazil on June 1st, 2005. That just happens to be the day White married his now ex-wife, model/musician Karen Elson.
Words do not ably describe the beauty of the Teatro Amazonas nor the furor riled up by the White Stripes appearance. Not only was there fear that the amplification of the band would cause the plaster in the building to crack and possible fall and injure attendees, but out of custom/fear/lord-knows-what the crowd remained seated until being explicitly asked to stand from the stage by Jack White himself. If that wasn't enough, during the show Jack and Meg ventured outside the venue to play an entirely unamplified version of 'We Are Going to Be Friends" for the assembled multitude of fans unable to purchase tickets and watching the performance via closed-circuit feed. The resultant melee was arguably a riot and was lovingly captured by the film crew documenting that evening's importance. All together what it makes is one of the best true rock and roll moments of the past decade. Heck, Jack White even got married that day.
The packaging for this CD/DVD release includes a 7-inch with two previously unreleased White Stripes demos: 'Let You Down" and 'Ain't No Sweeter Than Rita Blues". Check out a full track list here.
Kid Rock Releases First Kiss Video
(hennemusic) Kid Rock has released a music video for the lead single and title track to his forthcoming album, "First Kiss." Directed by Eric Welch, the clip features Rock cruising in his truck while singing about lost youth and hearing Tom Petty on the radio.
Due February 24, the follow-up to 2012's "Rebel Soul" was produced by Kid Rock - with the exception of two songs which were co-produced by Dann Huff - and was recorded at his studio in Michigan.
Rock will tour this summer with his backing group, the Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Dates are expected to be announced soon. Watch the "First Kiss" video here.
Rush's Neil Peart Conflicted Over Touring Again
(Classic Rock) Rush drummer Neil Peart says he's in two minds about touring again as he doesn't want to leave his family for an extended period of time. He, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are still to decide whether they'll hit the road this year, although two leaked tour dates briefly appeared online last month before being pulled. And while Peart's reluctant to leave his loved ones behind, he says if they do play live, he'll put everything into the sets as it's part of his job.
He tells this month's Prog magazine: "It's a true dilemma - there's no right answer. People say to me, 'Are you still excited when you go on tour?' Should I be excited about leaving my family? No, and no one should. It's as simple as that: if you put aside the fantasy of it, it is what it is and has to be done. And that's fine and I pour my entire energy and enthusiasm into it, but of course, I'm of two minds about the whole idea."
And he says the thought of leaving his five-year-old daughter Olivia leaves him with feelings of guilt. He continues: "I've been doing this for 40 years - I know how to compartmentalise, and I can stand missing her, but I can't stand her missing me and it's painful and impossible to understand for her. How can a small child process that? And there's the guilt that comes with that - you fell guilty about it, of course. I'm causing pain." Read more here.
Slipknot's New Album Featured Bass Parts From Root and Taylor
(TeamRock Radio) Jim Root has revealed that he and Corey Taylor played bass on Slipknot's latest album. The band began work on .5: The Gray Chapter around four years after the death of bassist Paul Gray after losing his battle with addiction.
Before they had appointed a full-time replacement, Root and Taylor recorded bass on demo tracks, with some of their work surviving in the album's final mix.
Root tells MusicRadar: "I played bass on six, maybe seven tracks. I can't even remember which. I'd have to sit down with the guy who played bass on the other tracks to find out.
"Some of the lines were taken from the demo versions that I recorded in my garage, because they were moody, and had a unique vibe that was too hard to recreate. Goodbye uses the full bass line that Corey recorded for his demo.
"I was prepared to do it if it had to be done, but I didn't want to do it. Both the band members and, according to management, our fans, wanted to see somebody in there.
"No one will ever replace Paul, and Paul will always be a part of what we're doing. There was a speck of me that out of respect for Paul didn't want somebody new to play everything." Read more here.
Bruce Springsteen Added To Bob Dylan MusiCares Concert
(Radio.com) Part of Grammy weekend is the annual MusiCares Person of the Year concert, particularly notable this year because it will be honoring Bob Dylan. As you can imagine, a concert honoring Bob Dylan can produce quite the lineup.
Previously announced for the event were Beck, The Black Keys, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John Doe, Norah Jones, Tom Jones, Los Lobos, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Vedder, Jack White, and Neil Young.
Now, even more artists have been added to the bill, including Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Taj Mahal, Alanis Morissette, and Aaron Neville have been added to the event. Read more here.
Don Dokken Vs George Lynch Over Breaking The Chains
(Classic Rock) Don Dokken has hit out at former bandmate George Lynch over claims that the singer "destroyed" Dokken's debut album. On separate episodes of The Classic Metal Show, Lynch and Dokken trade barbs over Dokken's 1981 debut Breaking The Chains. Lynch says he and the rest of the band were "sent home" after recording their parts, only for the frontman to remix the entire thing.
But in response, Dokken insists Breaking The Chains was a solo project and that he was the only official member of the group at the time. Lynch says: "I did like it when we originally recorded it, but then Don got ahold of it and destroyed it. He basically sent us home from Europe and said, 'OK guys, we're done. I'm just going to stay back and hang out with my girlfriend.'
"What he did was he stayed in the studio when we were gone and had his way with the record, which was pump up all the vocals, take all my guitars out, destroy the mix. It just sounded weak and wimpy. It just killed it.
"It was actually pretty muscular and pretty tough when we were in the studio. It sounded so good. It was the first record I'd ever done, so we were committed to making a statement. Quite honestly, the sound was just unbelievable.
"Then when it was all done, he did what he did to it and he killed it. It's very hard for me to listen to because of that, because I knew what it was and nobody will ever hear that unfortunately."
On a later episode of The Classic Metal Show, Dokken slammed his former guitarist, insisting he must be "high." Dokken adds: "I guess George forgot that when we did Breaking The Chains, he wasn't in the band. He must be smoking something. When I did Breaking The Chains, it was a solo record deal. George was not in the band. Mick was not in the band." Read more here.
Devildriver Recruit Former Chimaira Member
(TeamRock Radio) Devildriver have snapped up Austin D'Amond as their new drummer to replace John Boecklin. The band - fronted by Coal Chamber mainman Dez Fafara - split with Boecklin and guitarist Jeff Kendrick last year.
Former Chimaira sticksman D'Amond says on Facebook that he has now joined Devildriver. He says: "Ladies and gents, introducing the new drummer for Devildriver.
"Thanks everyone for all the support throughout my career. Without you all I would've never made it this far. I promise to give you all one hell of a performance. Keep shredding peeps. Dreams do come true." Read more here.
Robert Plant, No Doubt, Imagine Dragons Lead Bottlerock Lineup
(Radio.com) Music festival season is upon us. Bottlerock is building on Coachella's momentum and sharing their lineup on Tuesday, Jan. 6, as well, Radioalice (a CBS Radio station) reports.
This year, the Napa Valley festival will be bringing No Doubt, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and Imagine Dragons all on one bill as headliners. They'll be supported by the Avett Brothers, Foster the People, Passion Pit, Snoop Dogg, Cage the Elephant, Young the Giant, Gipsy Kings, Capital Cities, Public Enemy, Portugal the Man and more.
The festival will take place at the Napa Valley Expo May 29-31, with tickets starting at $235 for a general admission three-day pass, and going up to $2500 for a three-day platinum pass.
Check out the full 2015 Bottlerock Festival lineup here.
Metallica's Robert Trujillo Had To Be Careful With Zakk Wylde
(Classic Rock) Robert Trujillo says he learned early in his career how to maintain inter-band harmony - mainly by not pissing off Zakk Wylde. The bassist has worked with a lot of big personalities in his musical career- none more so than in his current post with Metallica. He has also worked with Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves and Ozzy Osbourne, where he met Wylde.
Trujillo says he was careful as a child not to cross his father, and he took those lessons into his musical career. He tells IndiePower: "In my band situations, I was always very careful how not to cross certain members. Because band members can fly off the handle, especially in the situation that some of them were in, whether it was drug issues, drinking, whatever it was.
"There was a lot of stuff going down, and you had to be cool. Because, I mean, someone like Zakk, he would snap. He would kind of switch right in front of your eyes. So you always had to be careful with these people.
"And that's part of the journey, and I think with that, I adopted patience and respect. I learned how to deal with people and their personalities the best way that I could in these different situations." Read more here.
Enter Shikari Release Anaesthetist Video
(TeamRock Radio) Enter Shikari have released a video for their new single Anaesthetist. The track, taken from their forthcoming album The Mindsweep, was premiered by Zane Lowe on his BBC Radio 1 show on Monday and, according to the band, is an attack on those who seek to "dismantle our NHS in the name of corporate greed."
Frontman Rou Reynolds adds: "We seem to have reached a stage of such capitalistic fervour, that we believe it acceptable to punish people for ill health. By charging for healthcare we act as if illness is nothing but one's own problem, but what is the purpose and advantage of 'civilisation' if it is not helping the most vulnerable within society?
"The lottery of birth can offer us a wealth of bad luck when it comes to our health and the safety nets are being pulled in as the desire to boost profit overtakes the desire to help people."
Venom Release Long Haired Punks Video
(TeamRock Radio) Venom are releasing their fourteenth studio album From The Very Depths later this month on Spinefarm Records, and they've just release the video for Long Haired Punks.
From The Very Depths is the follow-up to 2011's Fallen Angels album and features founding member Cronos as well as Rage and Dante. Speaking about the record, Cronos said:
"This album is perfect; all three members are totally over-the-top confident with the new songs and the production. We had a great atmosphere in the studio while we were recording; Dante created pure thunder from his drums, while Rage tears the flesh off your face with his riffs, making everything fall into place so well… it shows the band maturing into an unstoppable force of pure black metal.
"We can't wait to play the new songs live for the legions. Hell yeah!" Watch the new video here.
Robert Lamm Celebrates Chicago II Anniversary In The Studio
The latest episode of the syndicated radio show In The Studio: The Stories Behind History's Greatest Rock Bands features an interview with Chicago founding member Robert Lamm on the anniversary of the double album musical colossus Chicago II. The show sent over these details:
February of 1970, not even a year after their debut album Chicago Transit Authority, the band had shortened their name but not their fourteen-legged lineup. As former Bob Dylan sideman and Blood, Sweat and Tears founder Al Kooper told Lamm, Chicago's sound was "…the perfect marriage of brass and rock".
Chicago, born out of their city namesake also known as the "Second City", made the bold Chicago II, a two disc set that would go on to sell a record two million albums and spawn their first Top 5 hit "25 or 6 to 4" and two Top 10 singles "Colour My World" and "Make Me Smile".
Speaking with InTheStudio host Redbeard, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Robert Lamm sheds light on how three lead singers managed to front just one band.
"For most of the time that we were writing songs, we never thought about what key (it's in), is it going to be right for whoever's going to sing it. We would basically write the song and see how far each one of us could go. So part of the idea about sharing lead vocals was necessity." (laughs). - Robert Lamm
Footnote: after over 120,000,000 albums sold, the second biggest selling artist in America (behind only the Beach Boys) is still not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Stream the episode here.
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Alice Cooper Jam Goes Online
(hennemusic) Steven Tyler joined Alice Cooper at his annual New Year's Benefit show supporting the Maui Food Bank on December 31st and video of the jam has surfaced online.
The Aerosmith frontman was on hand at the Wailea Mariott to perform a mix of Aerosmith tracks and cover tunes, including songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and, a rare version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" with Hawaiian blues guitarist Willie K.
Hosted by actor Tom Arnold, the event featured Cooper, Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, Dexter Holland and Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman of The Offspring, Michael McDonald and Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers, producer Bob Rock and Weird Al Yankovic. Watch video here.
Robert Plant Sings Phil Collins' Praises
(TeamRock Radio) Robert Plant has praised Genesis mainman Phil Collins for encouraging his solo career. And Plant reveals the vocalist and drummer's positivity had a lasting impact and gave him the drive he needed to move on after Led Zeppelin split in 1980 following the death of sticksman John Bonham.
Plant tells The Pulse Of Radio: "I made my business to go out and start again at the age of 32. It's hysterical, really, when you think about it now. But I worked with Robbie Blunt, who was a particularly fine guitarist. And I was graced by my first two solo records Pictures at Eleven and The Principle of Moments.
"A drummer contacted me and said, 'I love Bonham so much I want to sit behind you when you sing.' It was Phil Collins. His career was just kicking in and he was the most spirited and positive and really encouraging force, because you can't imagine what it was like - me trying to carve my own way after all that." Read more here.
Panic Room Reveal New Lineup
(Prog) Panic Room have confirmed Steve Rothery Band guitarist Dave Foster will join them for their upcoming touring and recording commitments. The Welsh prog rockers parted ways with original lead guitarist Paul Davies in 2013 and brought in Adam O' Sullivan on a temporary basis.
Now Foster - who also works with Mr So & So - is onboard for 2015 and will play live with the band in April and May and also record their upcoming fifth album.
In a statement, the band say: "Panic Room are preparing to unveil a powerful live show which will celebrate the finest and most-loved music from across all four of the band's award-winning albums.
"Each event will feature a full electric set plus an exclusive acoustic set, and we are very excited to welcome Dave aboard for these shows." Read more here.
Tyrannosaurus Rex Albums Remastered and Expanded For Reissues
(Classic Rock) Universal Music are to release the first three Tyrannosaurus Rex albums later this month. They'll launch on January 26 on deluxe CD and 180g double vinyl along with three limited 7-inch edition singles: Strange Orchestras, Consuela and Nijinsky Hind.
Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrin Took's My People Were Fair And Had Sky In Their Hair…, Prophets, Seers & Sages: Angels Of The Ages and Unicorn have been fully remastered for the reissues.
They will feature previously unreleased songs, including home demos, alternate versions and tracks which originally appeared on DJ John Peel's Top Gear show in the late 60s. Read more here.
Sean Timms Denies United Progressive Fraternity Claims
(Prog) Former Unitopia founder and keyboard player Sean Timms has issued an angry response to claims made in the offshoot band United Progressive Fraternity's interview in the current issue of Prog Magazine.
Timms contacted Prog having read the United Progressive Fraternity feature, and gave us the following response to various comments in relation to him or Unitpoia that vocalist Mark Trueack and drummer Dave Hopgood made. This is his full response...
I hope you don't mind me contacting you, but I saw the article yesterday on UPF (I'm a digital subscriber) and there were quite a few half truths and out and out lies in it. I'd like a chance to respond if I may? I don't want what's happened and what I'm doing (or going to do) to be misrepresented. I apologise upfront if this is a tad long... I'll go through them one by one.
1) 'There were a few communication problems' - Mark. There were NO communication problems. I made it quite clear to Mark on a number of occasions that he needed to apologise to Patsy Delledonne (our manager) for his behaviour towards her (long story) and his passive/aggressive attitude towards us both. He refused, so I let him know quite clearly that I didn't want to work with him anymore. He changed his attitude, but too late... the damage was done.
2) 'Musical Differences' - There were no musical differences. I was thrilled with the music we were creating for the new album, but after his thoughtlessness and stubborn behaviour, I was no longer interested in continuing working with him.
Bombus Hitting The Road With Monster Magnet
(Classic Rock) Bombus have been announced as the support for Monster Magnet's upcoming European tour and the band have premiered a brand new music video.
The Swedish band will open for American heavyweights Monster Magnet on the trip, which includes three UK dates in February. The tour gets underway on February 2 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Bombus released their second album The Poet And The Parrot in 2013. A video for the single Let Her Die has been made available. It was directed by the band's former bassist Ulf Linden. Watch the video and grab the tour dates here.
Malaya Blue Reveals Her Live Band Lineup
(The Blues Malaya Blue has announced details of her live band's new lineup. The singer will be joined on stage by bassist Trev Turley, drummer Simon Dring, keyboard player Andy Cooper and guitarist Andy Walker.
And for her performance at The Great British Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness on January 23, Malaya will also have the help of special guest guitarist Will Johns of Fresh Cream fame.
Johns will also guests during Malaya's appearance at Blakeney Harbour Rooms on February 6. Her new band boasts an impressive blues background, with Turley having previously worked with the Bare Bones Boogie Band and Dring a former member of the Billy Walton Band. Cooper has worked with Pete Brutnell and Todd Sharpeville while Walker has a history with Mojo Preachers. Read more here.
Schnauser Release Grey Or Blue Video
(Prog) Schnauser have released a new video for their track Grey Or Blue. The Bristol prog outfit took to the beach - and a caravan park - for the shoot, which features a new edit of the track, which is taken from 2014 album Protein For Everyone.
The band say: "It's January, the grey wet mist is clinging to your bones, you forgot to set the VHS to record Tomorrow's World and you've run out of teabags yet again - cheer yourself up with this glass half full ditty.
"It was filmed back in November by brilliant Bristol director Matty Groves on Super 8 film. Thanks to Emma for being our enthusiastic swimmer, it was freezing."
Vanguards Of Extreme Metal Plan Exhibition
(TeamRock Radio) Lovers of the dark arts, mark January 17 and 18 down on your calendars as two visual vanguards of the extreme metal world, artist Zbigniew Bielak and photographer Ester Segarra are joining forces with the band Shards for an exhibition and a unique multi-media and multi-sensory experience at the Crypt Gallery, beneath St Pancras Parish Church in London.
Polish artist Zbiegniew Bielak's architectural background is more than apparent in the mindboggling detailed, historically sourced and instantly recognisable artwork that's graced albums by the likes of Watain, Ghost BC, Absu and Vader. Anyone who's seen Watain live recently, will know the power of his work from the band's vast, Necropolis backdrop, and his stunning new Art Calendar is a trove of macabre and arcane wonders.
Barcelona-born photographer Ester Segarra has worked for Metal Hammer for over eight years, and has also redefined the aesthetic of the extreme metal world, producing many of its most iconic, intimate and memorable images, not least for bands such as Watain, Electric Wizard, Triptykon, Ghost BC, Mayhem, Burzum and Purson, amongst many others. The joint exhibition with Zbiginew will feature some of her most renowned portrait work as well as other personal projects. Read more here.
David Bowie's Crooked Oral History Preserved
(Radio.com) Oh, the '80s, what a carefree time--hair was big, shoulder pads were bigger and teeth had a mind of their own. David Bowie was well known during the early stages of his career for some of the music world's most unusually angled teeth this side of, say, Pogues singer Shane McGowan.
Of course, Bowie's crooked teeth are a relic of the past, replaced by the time the '90s rolled around with a mouthful of gleaming, snow-white incisors. Some people aren't willing to let Bowie's oral history go gently into that good night, though. Paint and sculptor Jessie Hein has fashioned Bowie's old dentures into a mold, made of acrylics, plaster and paint.
And why not? They were as much a part of the Bowie legend as his zany outfits, an indispensable part of his Ziggy Stardust and Thin White Duke personas.
No comments:
Post a Comment