Today's Day in Rock!
AC/DC Reunite With Chris Slade
(Classic Rock) Former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade reunited with the band to fill in for Phil Rudd during the band's performance at the Grammy Award ceremony in Los Angeles, and has been pictured signing AC/DC memorabilia at a pre-event charity bash.
Also pictured at the event were the band's Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams, further fuelling speculation that Slade was to fill the drum stool vacancy created by Rudd's ongoing legal battles.
Rumors began to circulate earlier this week that the Welsh drummer had been asked to return, and he's now released a statement. "This is an amazing opportunity for me," says Slade. "After all, most people don't ever get to play with their favorite band once, let alone TWICE!
"I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support I have been shown personally, on the Facebook page and other social media. Not one comment has gone unread and it has been very humbling. Thanks so much." Read more and see the photos here.
Roy Harper Found Not Guilty Of Child Sex Charge
(Classic Rock) Folk icon Roy Harper has been found not guilty on one count of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old in the 1970s. Earlier last week, the 73-year-old was acquitted by a unanimous jury decision of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old in the 1980s.
But he could face a retrial after jurors at Worcester Crown Court failed to reach majority verdicts on two further counts of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child, and one of having sex with a child.
Judge Robert Juckes QC discharged the jury and gave prosecutors two weeks to consider whether to seek a retrial on the remaining charges. All relate to the 11-year-old. Read more here.
Van Halen Not Doctoring Live Album?
(Classic Rock) Van Halen's first live album with David Lee Roth will be released without any retouching on the vocal tracks, says a fan site. Tokyo Dome Live In Concert will be launched on March 31 alongside remastered editions of the band's self-titled debut and sixth title 1984, with four more remasters to follow.
Trusted source Van Halen News Desk reports: "This is a very authentic live recording. Every bit of the concert is in here, including Dave speaking Japanese to the crowds, full guitar and drum solos, etc.
"Note there are absolutely no touchups on the lead vocals, unlike most live albums. They considered using different songs from different shows, but thought it would be better to simply release one stellar performance. They want this one to be authentic." Read more here.
TV On The Radio Cancel Tour After Member Hospitalized
(TeamRock Radio) TV On The Radio have cancelled their upcoming European tour after drummer Jahphet Landis was admitted to hospital. The band were due to kick off the tour in Italy last Friday, but have pulled all 12 scheduled dates, with five UK shows affected.
Gigs in Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London have been cancelled with no rescheduled shows having been announced and no indication given as to whether the band will line up new dates.
In a statement, the band say: "It is with much regret that due to a health emergency, TV On The Radio have been forced to cancel their upcoming Europe/UK tour which is due to start this Friday. Drummer Jahphet is in the hospital. He will be OK but is not able to travel at this time." Read more here.
Motley Crue's Tommy Lee Wants Alice Cooper To Kill Him
(Classic Rock) Motley Crue drummer has responded to Alice Cooper's offer to kill the members of the band on stage at their farewell show on New Year's Eve. Cooper has been the support act for the band's final tour.
Lee says of Cooper's offer, "That would be awesome. I asked him, 'Can you make three more of those guillotines? Then you could chop off all our heads at the same time!'"
It's not confirmed whether the stunt will take place, but Lee vows of their final show in LA: "We're going to do something completely f***ed up. I guarantee that." Lee also reflected on side projects. Read what he had to say here.
Danny Worsnop Explains Exit From Asking Alexandria
(TeamRock Radio) Danny Worsnop says it was "just time" for him to leave Asking Alexandria after seven years and three albums as he and the band were headed in different musical directions.
Worsnop tells Artisan News: "Like I said in my press release, it was just time for us to part ways. We reached a point, musically, where we wanted different things. I wish them all the best in the future, and I will always follow it and support it. It was just time."
Rumors suggest Asking Alexandria have brought in Down & Dirty frontman Denis Shaforostov to fill Worsnop's slot as they prepare to enter the studio this month to begin work on the follow-up to 2013's From Death To Destiny. Read more here.
Historic Rolling Stones Spot Immortalized
(Classic Rock) Platform 2 at Dartford Station is now home to a blue heritage plaque marking the spot where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met properly for the first time on October 17, 1961.
The pair, who both went to Wentworth Primary School in the town, recognised each other and struck up a conversation. At the time, Jagger was on his way to the London School of Economics carrying a pile of his favourite blues records, while Richards was heading to Sidcup Art College with his Hofner Cutaway guitar.
Dartford Borough Council unveiled the blue plaque during a small ceremony on February 5 with help from Mayor Avtar Sandhu and Dartford Grammar head John Oakes.
The blue plaque reads: "Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met on platform 2 on 17 October 1961 and went on to form The Rolling Stones - one of the most successful bands of all time." Read more here.
Nightwish's New Single Leaks
(Prog) Finnish outfit Nightwish have issued a statement regarding an online leak of their forthcoming single, Elan. The song has surfaced in advance of its scheduled February 13 release via Nuclear Blast. It will be featured on the band's eighth album, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, which will be out on March 30.
Nightwish alerted fans with a Facebook post identifying one source of the leak, which initiated an intense debate among readers. The band explains: "Our intention was not necessarily to attack an individual person, but to raise awareness that spreading unreleased property through internet is not something that any artist would like to see happen. This is about our musical property and the abuse of it. This kind of thing causes irreparable harm to countless people working in the music industry worldwide. Not only for the band."
Mainman Tuomas Holopainen further commented on the reaction with a statement encouraging fans to avoid the song until its official release on Friday. Read that here.
Revolution Saints Supergroup Release Music Video
(TeamRock Radio) Supergroup Revolution Saints have issued a video for Back On My Trail as a preview to their upcoming self-titled debut album. The tune follows the lead single, Turn Back Time, and Way To The Sun - which features a guest spot by Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
With their debut due February 23 via Frontiers Records, the group includes former Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich, Night Ranger bassist Jack Blades and Journey drummer Deen Castronovo.
The project also sees a guest appearance by Journey vocalist Arnel Pineda on You're Not Alone. Revolution Saints are working through their respective band's schedules to determine when they can hit the road to play live for fans.
Castronovo tells Billboard: "We have thought about that, and actually we're having conversations now about how we'd go about doing things and what we would play and all that kind of stuff."
"There's a wealth of material we could forge. There's stuff Doug has written when he was in Whitesnake, that he wrote with David Coverdale, that we could switch around and play. There's songs on my solo records. There's songs from the Damn Yankees. There's so much music we can play, I don't think that'll be a problem." Watch the video here.
Katatonia Reveal Live Release Details
(Classic Rock) Veteran Swedish metal outfit Katatonia have revealed details on their upcoming live DVD Sanctitude. It's set to launch on March 30 via Kscope and follows 2014's Last Fair Day Gone Night which was filmed at London's Koko in 2011.
Sanctitude captured the band in concert at London's Union Chapel in May last year on the acoustic Unplugged & Reworked tour. And guitarist Anders Nystrom admits the group were apprehensive about presenting their material in a new way.
He says: "As a band we set out on uncharted waters but, while apprehensive about the journey ahead, our intentions couldn't have been more genuine to undertake this beautiful experience. Sailing this project into harbour turned out to be bliss and has ultimately enriched all the members of Katatonia."
Joining the group on guitar and vocals is The Pineapple Thief frontman Bruce Soord, who filled-in following the departure of guitarist Per Eriksson; the set also presents a guest appearance by Norwegian vocalist Silje Wergeland of The Gathering. Read more including track details here.
Napalm Death Selling More Records Than Ever Before
(TeamRock Radio) Napalm Death are selling more records than ever before, according to singer Barney Greenway. The frontman believes the band's decision to firmly stick to their ethos and not seek out any commercial advantage has paid off in the end.
Greenway tells SkullsNBones: "We're selling more records right now than we ever have done. That's not just vinyl. It's vinyl, CDs, everything is selling really well. We haven't done anything to gain commercial advantage. In fact we've turned down stuff that could have given us commercial advantage because of our ethos. That's kind of mind blowing.
"It just goes to prove that you stick to what you want to do and not some things that you might not feel comfortable with. You live and die by your decisions." Read more here.
UDO Recruit Family Member As New Drummer
(Classic Rock) 21-year-old Sven Dirkschneider has been named drummer for German metal outfit UDO - the band led by his father Udo Dirkschneider. They put out a public call for drummer auditions in December after Francesco Jovino quit the group weeks ahead of a world tour and the January 23 release of their 15th album Decadent.
The band say in a statement: "His drumming has simply convinced us most. His style of playing is fresh and really grooves heavily. It simply is exactly what we need for UDO.
"We also know that Sven fits perfectly into the band family. He has been working as a drum tech for us for more than four years and we know from several world tours that everyone likes him and gets along with him perfectly." Read more here.
Van Morrison Celebrating 70th Birthday With Hometown Concert
(Classic Rock) Van Morrison is to celebrate his 70th birthday with an outdoor show in his hometown of Belfast. The singer/songwriter will perform at the EastSide Arts Festival on August 31 as he celebrates his birthday.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, the event is taking place in the city's tree-lined Cypress Avenue, after which Morrison named a track on his classic 1968 album Astral Weeks.
A statement from organizers says: "Van Morrison will celebrate his 70th birthday by appearing at this most iconic of venues - a most beautiful location made famous across the world through the song from his ground-breaking and widely acclaimed Astral Weeks album, first released in 1968. Read more here.
Genesis Regret Not Filming Peter Gabriel Reunion
(Classic Rock) Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford admits the band regrets not filming their 1982 reunion show with Peter Gabriel. The Six Of The Best concert in Milton Keynes came about after former frontman Gabriel needed help in paying off debts accrued by the financial failure of his Womad festival.
Rutherford tells Rolling Stone: "We did it on my birthday. I mainly remember the incredible mud and rain. Years later I thought back and realised we made a mistake not filming it.
"The feeling was that we shouldn't record it because it wouldn't be great live. There were rough edges." He reflects: "We should have done it anyway. It was a moment we should have captured, warts and all." Read more here.
Journey's Neal Schon Sues Over Wedding Fees
(Classic Rock) Journey guitarist Neal Schon is suing the city of San Francisco over a $240,000 fee to use a local landmark for his December 2013 wedding to reality tv star Michaele Salahi.
The couple were married at the Palace of Fine Arts, and rented an adjacent building for the reception. According to NBCBayArea.com, Schon had initially agreed to pay the city $58,000 for use of the facility and claims officials unfairly jacked up the fee for the city's permit six days before the wedding after learning the event was to be broadcast via pay-per-view.
Schon called the last-minute fee hike "extortion'' and unhappily paid for the permit so the wedding could proceed, according to the lawsuit. One of Schon's lawyers, Rebecca Coll, says: "City administrators are not supposed to make up what fees to charge people based on who they are, or because they agree to share their wedding - or anything else - on television. The Schons had a right to share their celebration with the world in real time without being penalized.'' Read more here.
Anthrax's Scott Ian Reflects On Joey Belladonna Firing
(Classic Rock) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian says the sacking of Joey Belladonna in 1992 was a result of the guitarist's immaturity at the time. Ian recalls being frustrated with Belladonna's take on his lyrics on songs written for 1990's Persistence Of Time and, rather than trying to work it out, he fired the man who is currently back in the band for a third spell.
Ian tells Loudwire: "People always say Persistence Of Time was a dark album. I definitely was a darker person. So much of that goes into why the decision was made that I couldn't move forward any more with Joey in the band.
"Up until that point I never had a problem with the way Joey was singing the words I was writing. I thought he got it across perfect. But once we got to Persistence, it wasn't working for me any more.
"I really have to point the finger at myself. Thinking back, I probably should have been more communicative with Joey and spent more time with him. We probably should have been able to move forward. But that's who I was then and I can't change that." Read more here.
Ronnie Wood Publishing 1965 Diary
(Classic Rock) Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood is gearing up to publish his diary from 1965 after it was lost for 50 years. He started keeping the journal at the age of 17 as he began his career.
Now he's rediscovered it, he's preparing a series of sketches to accompany its release via Genesis Publications. The publisher had the following to say about the upcoming release:
"Ten years before he joined the Rolling Stones, Ronnie's musical apprenticeship with The Birds catapulted him onto the stage of swinging London's music scene.
"Featuring a cast of characters including Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Marianne Faithfull and many more" Read more here.
Yngwie Malmsteen Working On New Album
(Classic Rock) Guitar icon Yngwie Malmsteen is working on his next album, he's confirmed. The Swedish musician is setting out ideas in his home studio and says as he's not working to a tight schedule like he used to do, it's given him more time to hone the new material.
He tells Metal Mal: "I'm in the studio making another album right now. It's not, like, 'Okay, now I'm going to go in and do it.' It's just that when I'm inspired, I go in and I do something.
"In the past you had to do things and the clock was running. It was terrible, and I didn't like it. Now I just do it when I feel like it." Malmsteen also says he's considering hooking up with Nick Marino again, who sang on 2014's Spellbound Live In Tampa on the upcoming album. Read more here.
Cradle Of Filth Frontman Excited About New Music
(TeamRock Radio) Cradle Of Filth frontman Dani Filth has started recording vocals for the band's upcoming 11th album. Hammer Of The Witches, the follow-up to 2012's The Manticore And Other Horrors, is scheduled for a June 26 release via Nuclear Blast.
The record is being recorded at Grindhouse Studios in the Suffolk countryside. Filth says: "The album sounds so sick and killer, I am truly excited for people to hear the very spiky fruits of our labour.
"Now I'm ensconced here for around a month, before Lindsay joins me from Canada to contribute female vocals and with everyone else, to undertake the first video from the album, which is to be filmed at a deserted Air Force base nonetheless." Read more here.
Stuck Mojo Will 'Probably' Make New Album With Bonz
(TeamRock Radio) US rap metal pioneers Stuck Mojo say they'll "probably" release a new album after reuniting with frontman Bonz. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist Rich 'The Duke' Ward and released four albums before splitting in 2000. They reformed in 2005 and dismissed the frontman the following year over alleged substance abuse issues and replaced him with Lord Nelson.
But Bonz reunited with Ward, bassist Corey Lowery and drummer Frank Fontsere for a show in Atlanta in December. And Ward says it's likely they'll record fresh material together again.
He tells The Signals Of Intuition: "There probably will be one - we haven't gone in writing yet. Bonz is doing great, he looks great, we're getting along great, and he seems like he's dealt with all his demons and he's sorted that part of his life out.
"So I'm feeling good about it. But I won't commit to a new record until I know that it's real." Read more here.
AC/DC Bring Some Rock To The Grammys
(hennemusic) AC/DC opened the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday with a double-shot of the title tracks to "Rock Or Bust" and 1979's "Highway To Hell."
The performance featured the live debut of guitarist Stevie Young - nephew of Angus and retired founding member Malcolm Young - and the return of drummer Chris Slade to the lineup.
Slade revealed his return on Saturday: his status had been rumored for days as the band were forced to address the issue of troubled drummer Phil Rudd, who was arrested November 6 on multiple charges by New Zealand police - including possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.
Korn and Slipknot Cover Beastie Boys Classic
(TeamRock Radio) Recently the Prepare For Hell Tour rolled into London's Wembley Arena and if you were there, you know something special happened... and Korn is sharing video of it.
For the first time ever, Slipknot and Korn joined forces on stage to cover Beastie Boys' smash hit _Sabotage _sold-out Wembley crowd. Mid-way through Korn's set, Clown, Jim, Chris, Sid and Corey rallied together to perform the classic Beastie Boys song "Sabotage".
Slipknot return to the UK to headline Download Festival in June. Tickets Slipknot's latest album .5: The Gray Chapter is out now on iTunes and Amazon.
Korn return to the UK on 16th July for a special 20th Anniversary show, where they will be playing the Korn album in full. Watch the "Sabotage" performance here.
Foo Fighters Austin City Limits Performance Goes Online
(hennemusic) The Foo Fighters were the featured guests on the latest edition of the legendary PBS series Austin City Limits, and video of the full episode is available to stream online.
The program saw the Foos performing tracks from their latest album, "Sonic Highways", with the help of Gary Clark, Jr. and Jimmie Vaughan, who joined the band on the Fabulous Thunderbirds hit, "Tuff Enuff."
The band just wrapped up a tour of South America and will head to New Zealand and Australia for dates starting February 21. A summer North American run starts July 4 at Washington's RFK Stadium.
Slash Rocks Conan
(hennemusic) Slash performed a track from his latest album, "World On Fire", on TBS' late night talk show Conan last Thursday and video from the appearance is streaming online.
The former Guns N' Roses guitarist played "Bent To Fly", the second of 6 singles issued from the project, which landed Slash a US Top 10 debut upon its release last fall.
"World On Fire" entered the Billboard 200 at No. 10 with opening week sales of 29,000 copies. Slash's previous album, 2012's "Apocalyptic Love", debuted at No. 4 with 38,000 sold in its first week.
The rocker will play shows in Japan next week before heading to New Zealand and then Australia for the Soundwave Festival. Watch the Conan performance here.
Toto Release 'Orphan' Video
(Classic Rock) Veteran US rockers Toto have released a music video for their track "Orphan." The track comes from their upcoming album "XIV" which will be released next month via Frontiers.
And although it will be their first studio outing since 2006's Falling In Between, keyboardist Steve Porcaro said the band are looking on the new material as the follow up to 1982's Toto IV.
He said: "This is opposite of going through the motions. We are treating this like it is Toto V. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for."
The album is currently available to pre-order form iTunes and Amazon. The deluxe edition comes bundled with a bonus DVD containing a making-of documentary and a booklet featuring interviews and exclusive pictures. Watch the video here.
Enslaved Release 'Thurisaz Dreaming' Lyric Video
(TeamRock Radio) Enslaved have released the lyric video for the song "Thurisaz Dreaming" which comes from their upcoming album "In Times" ahead of the album's release next month.
Speaking about the debut single from the extreme metallers' thirteenth full-length, guitarist Ivar Bjørnson says "This great lyric video is certainly a good way to present the song and the album."
"Thurisaz Dreaming was the first song to be written for the album and kept the place as the natural opener for the album all the way throughout the entire making of the album. It leaps out of the speakers and grabs you by the throat - it's a song that makes you take a stand right there during the first seconds of the album: are you up for the journey?! Of course you are!"
Soilwork Release 'Live In The Heart Of Helsinki' Preview
(TeamRock Radio) Soilwork have released a preview of their upcoming DVD/Blu-ray Live In The Heart Of Helsinki. The Swedish outfit have issued a performance clip of "This Momentary Bliss" from the package, which was filmed at the Circus Club in the Finnish capital on March 21, 2014.
Due March 16 via Nuclear Blast and available as a DVD/2CD and BluRay/2CD, the band's first live package features more than three hours of music and features, including two documentaries and drum cam videos for four tracks.
Soilwork were joined at the special show by Nightwish singer Floor Jansen and Sonic Syndicate's Nathan J Biggs. Speaking about the packaging, Soilwork's Bjorn 'Speed' Strid says: "Once again we collaborated with Mircea Gabriel Eftemie to create visuals that would perfectly capture the unique vibe of this very special evening.
"In The Heart Of Helsinki is somewhat of a testimony of our career and the live action shots are mixed with a blast from the past, including a collage of Soilwork memorabilia. I've always loved collages, especially on the inner sleeve of a vinyl."
Stryper Preview New Music
(Classic Rock) Stryper frontman Michael Sweet has issued an audio clip from the band's latest studio sessions. They entered SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts earlier this month to work on the follow-up to 2013's No More Hell To Pay, with Sweet providing daily play-by-play updates for fans via social media.
Sweet says about the sessions: "We're tracking Heaven right now and I believe that this album may very well be our best. Five days in and counting - everything sounds fabulous."
Sweet has confirmed the project will released later this year. The singer has also teamed up with ex-Dokken guitarist George Lynch in Sweet & Lynch along with former Megadeth bass player James LoMenzo and ex-Whitesnake drummer Brian Tichy. The supergroup launched debut album Only To Rise last month. Read more and listen to the clip here.
Pain Of Salvation Release 'Falling Home' Video
(Prog) Pain Of Salvation have issued a video for Falling Home, the title track of their recent acoustic album. It was released in November via InsideOut and contains new versions of some of the band's classic tracks, plus covers of Dio's Holy Diver and Lou Reed's Perfect Day.
Mainman Daniel Gildenlow says of the video: "I started last year with four months in the hospital, battling flesh eating bacteria, and somehow managed to bounce back to see myself playing Vegas dressed in a rabbit suit.
"It felt perfect to end the year knee-deep in snow on Iceland, shooting in a blizzard, with a dead coyote draped over my freezing shoulders. I mean, who would have guessed a few years back that it would turn out to be one of the more normal situations of my year?"
"We threw ourselves into this video, whole-heartedly and passionately, and I think anyone watching it will feel that." Watch the video here.
JJ Grey & Mofro Release 'Every Minute' Video
(Prog) JJ Grey & Mofro have premiered a video for their track Every Minute. It's taken from ninth album Ol' Glory, to be released on February 23 via Provogue Records.
The label says of the follow-up to 2013's This River: "Ol' Glory contains 12 new songs that feature the deep, soulful blend of blues, rock, folk, funk, gospel, gritty R&B and personal, Southern-inspired narratives that have become synonymous with JJ Grey & Mofro.
"The material reflects two themes that run through their entire body of work - a strong sense of place, and finding happiness with where you are in life." The band kick off a European tour with an appearance at London's Islington Academy on March 18. Check out the new video here.
Robben Ford Previews New Album 'Into The Sun'
(The Blues Robben Ford has launched a preview video for his upcoming album Into The Sun. The 11-song album features guest appearances by Warren Haynes, Keb' Mo', Robert Randolph and others. It's to be released via Mascot Label Group on March 30 - and the guitar icon says it's one of his best-ever works.
Ford reports: "The album is really upbeat. It has a positive, good-time feel." While his last two titles - 2014's A Day In Nashville and 2013's Bringing It Back Home - were regarded as returns to his roots, Into The Sun is more of a departure.
"The rule was to have no lid on things," says Ford. "I've worked very hard to master my craft as a musician and a songwriter - but other than relying on my strengths in those areas, I made sure there was room for new ideas and everything my collaborators brought to the music.
"When you're open to different concepts and approaches, the most beautiful things can happen." Watch the video here.
Five Finger Death Punch Star Jokes About Album and Song Titles
(TeamRock Radio) Five Finger Death Punch have already chosen the title of their next album - but guitarist Jason Hook refuses to reveal it in a new video interview. Instead, he's offered a few of the joke names they've considered while working on the follow-up to 2013 twin releases The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell.
Hook tells Blairing Out: "I have all these funny things I'm dying to say. We've always thought about joke titles, like Five Finger Death Punch - Keep Your Receipt. Or, Not Our Best Work."
The joke extends to song titles, because the band aim to complete the music before frontman Ivan Moody writes words. "Ivan's sketching lyrics," says Hook. "But until they come together we name them anything, just so we can refer to it. So there's one I just finished called Pulled Pork. By the time it gets to radio it will not be Pulled Pork." Read more and watch the interview here.
Epica's Simone Simons Balancing Motherhood and Metal
(TeamRock Radio) Epica singer Simone Simons says that she is trying to strike a balance between home and work life as a new mother on tour with the Dutch symphonic metal outfit.
Simons and husband, Kamelot keyboardist Oliver Paltai, welcomed son Vincent in October 2013 while Epica were in the studio recording their 6th album, 2014's The Quantum Enigma.
Simons tells Horns Up Rocks!: "When we did the demo recordings at my house together with Sascha Paeth, Joost van den Broek and Mark Jansen, I was sitting there with a huge belly, and my legs up. So that was all not very sexy and not very metal. But it was nice to kind of work on the new project.
"And making a new CD is also a little bit like giving birth to a baby. But, of course, you don't have to change it, nor breastfeed the CD. But definitely there are two great new things in my life. And the baby being, of course, the real lifechanger. But I think that The Quantum Enigma is going to be also a good change for Epica."
As a new mother, Simons was quick to maintain a healthy distance between her personal and work schedules, preferring to keep her son away from a life on the road - particularly at such an early age. Read more here.
Singled Out: Mumiy Troll's Vitamins
Today Ilya Lagutenko from the acclaimed Russian band Mumiy Troll tells us about the song "Vitamins," which is the title track from their brand new EP. Here is the story:
Vitamins song started out to be a classic example of songwriting journey.
It was like a puzzle game where you don't know where your next step will lead you. The concept started out when I was developing some intro ideas for my "ambient sound" side project, and at one point this cool electro-riff just kept sticking out during the process (but obviously it does not sound too ambient). Soon after, at rehearsals we came up with some strong guitar riffs which just happen to 'sit' there perfectly and from that moment it immediately evolved into almost "cyber-punk'-ish track where both worlds (electro and rock guitars) meet.
The next step was to write some lyrics. This process was rather a challenge for me because I usually tend to write lyrics and music together at the same time.
But never less with the combination of my love for Russian Symbolistic and Futuristic poetry of last centuries it gave me an idea to write about some apocalyptic night ride where you cannot run out of gas because you driving on some new kind of "super fuel"!
The interesting video concept came from when one our friend was showing off his 3D camera which he borrowed for a day and in 5 minutes we decided to shoot us performing this song, which back then was still in work progress and not even recorded, that's why some bits are out of sync in the video LOL.
Then during my Asian leg of tour I was introduced to young Chinese artist named Lu Yang. I became a big fan of her paintings (which were more like fictitious manuals of weird things; like synths played by mice etc) and at that time she was working on her Uterus-man "new breed of superhero" video installation. Suddenly it gave me an answer to who was the real character of this song and the pieces of the "Vitamins" jigsaw came together. With that all in mind I finished writing the song lyrics, we edited the video to the way it fits our live performance and got Lu Yang to combine the 3D elements with her work in progress.
The whole journey was one hell of a great ride because of the complicated process; where much of the actual song writing really depended on visual elements and that has never happened to me before.
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