Tag: news
0 Mike Dimeo is Out of Masterplan
Mike Dimeo posted a new blog this afternoon talking about his new projects, and confirming that he is indeed out of the band Masterplan.
Read more at this link.
0 Help Rhino Bucket Finish Their New Album
Endangered species? Not quite – Rhino Bucket started recording a new album last April for what was to be a fall release. Well, Fall fell and Christmas came and went and no Bucket under the tree this year. It’s not cuz you’ve been naughty. We love naughty! So what’s the deal? Where’s the record?
To make a long story short, after laying down 95 percent of the tracks the “producer” went rogue, off the grid and disappeared with the hard drive, leaving both Acetate and the Bucket with a depleted recording budget and no record. Does the story end here… nope, no fuckin’ way.
Our label was relentless in their efforts to recover the recordings – that’s the good news. Bad news is they ain;t quite done yet, we still need some additional recording and mixing. See where we’re heading?? Yup, you guessed it. We’re broke and we’re turning to you, The Bucketheads, The Bucket Brigade, Rhino Nation, to help us raise some dough and finish this bitch (the record, not the producer).
We’re asking that the most dedicated Bucket fans purchase the new album in advance, which is what we like to do anyway, but this is a little earlier than usual. This will give us the funds to book the studio time needed to complete the project and believe us, you want us to finish this record! What’s in it for you? Well, besides hookin’ the boys up and being the first ones to get the spankin’ new disc, we have written a song about our latest “experience” and only those of you who pre-purchase will receive a special edition of the tentatively titled “Hardest Town” containing this exclusive track.
As is stands now, we’re looking at a May 5 release, but that depends on you! Either way we’ll ship out these special pre-sale CDs well in advance.
So, dig deep boys and girls and lets keep the new rock rolling!
To pre-order and listen to a new track from the upcoming CD, please click the link below.
1 New Video – Airbourne – Girls in Black
The following Airbourne video was taken live at the Wacken Music Festival. Check out the live clip for “Girls in Black” below!
0 Airbourne on Bruce Dickinson Show Today!
Australian hard rockers AIRBOURNE will be IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson’s guests today during Bruce’s weekly BBC 6 Music radio program, dubbed “The Bruce Dickinson Friday Rock Show”. Listen to the broadcast live via the Internet between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) U.K. time or at 4 p.m. EST in the U.S.
Bruce Dickinson’s show can be found at this link BBC.co.uk
0 ** THERAPY? – NEW ALBUM – RELEASE DATE AND ALBUM TITLE ANNOUNCED **
**THE NEW ALBUM FROM**
**OUT MARCH 23RD 2009**
Global Music are proud to announce the return of the original Irish punk-rockers, Therapy?, with their new studio album, Crooked Timber, out March 23rd 2009.
For past two years, Therapy? fans have eagerly awaited the bands return, now they’re back with a hard-edged recording that will really get under your skin and into your mind.
According to the band, the album Crooked Timber focuses more on rhythm, rather than melody. Admitting that while it is a heavy recording, its not exactly the obvious path for Therapy?. Why?
Front-man, Andy Cairns has the answer:
I guess were always challenging just what makes us Therapy?. After so many years, if we were formulaic about it, wed have gotten bored with the band long ago. The album was written together as a band, and each track has its own concept and inspirations. They took a while to write and weve taken our time to write them.
From the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made.
– Immanuel Kant (18th-century German philosopher)
Andy explains: The recording is about celebrating peoples quirks, the things which make us unique. These days everyone tries to fit it, instead of just being themselves.
The songs examine what it means to be human – To realise that we are the only living things on the planet aware of our own deaths.”
0 HardRockHouse Is Pleased To Announce The Re-Issue of Danny Vaughn’s Standing Alone EP
Following on from his two hugely successful Christmas shows, HardRockHouse is pleased to announce that Danny Vaughn’s Standing Alone EP is now available. Featuring stripped back interpretations of both Tyketto & Vaughn classics the EP, which has been unavailable since the 2002 pressing very quickly sold out, should be a “must have” for any classic rock fan.
From the beginning of his career Vaughn, the Tyketto & former Waysted vocalist, had always been the token acoustic guitar player who added a little extra flavour to the sound of the bands with which he was involved. The idea for Standing Alone came about following a UK tour which saw Vaughn taking to the stage alone every night to play a song acoustically. Such was the reception that these interludes received that soon after he invested in some home recording equipment and Standing Alone began to take shape. As Vaughn states: “The idea was to see how some songs from my near and not-so-near past would sound reinterpreted”. And the result is nothing short of spectacular. Emotional and honest Standing Alone is the sound of vocal and guitar working together at their best, the simplicity of the arrangements proving just how good Vaughn’s songs truly are.
Track listing
Wings, Was There A Moment, Seasons, The Voice, Write Your Name In The Sky &
Standing Alone.
For further information and to order a copy of the CD then please visit www.hardrockhouse.com/StandingAlone.htm
0 ZO2 Ungagged! *”Z Rock” Announcement*
ZO2 has posted the following on their blog tonight:
It was a long and uncomfortable wait but the wait is over! ZO2’s finally been cleared to announce the confirmation of the second season of “Z Rock” on IFC!
Filming will begin in the new year and the second season is scheduled to air this summer.
At this time, IFC has discussed plans to rebroadcast the first season of “Z Rock” in its entirety in March to lead the second season’s premiere. In the meantime, keep an eye on IFC’s Tuesday night “Automat” schedule to catch repeats of episodes from season one.
Stay tuned for the latest information on ZO2’s antics on and off the set!
0 Balance To Release New Album Equilibrium in February. Audio Samples Available!
The Melodic Rock and AOR scenes are both made up of legendary albums and 
bands, which, as time goes by, become even more respected among the community of fans. Balance are exactly one of these bands, whose name and reputation, like good wine, has stood the test of time for more than two decades. Formed at the end of the 70’s by three promising talents out of the NY music scene: singer Peppy Castro (formerly of The Blues Magoos, Wiggy Bits and Barnaby Bye), the classically trained keyboardist Doug Katsaros and guitarist Bob Kulick (who had already appeared as a guest musician on KISS recordings and on the Paul Stanley solo album in 1978 as well as playing in Meat Loaf’s band), Balance soon inked a deal with Portrait Records who released the band’s first eponymous album in 1981.
While the song writing and production quality shone all over the record and the band were immediately on the same level as contemporary luminaries such as Toto, Survivor or Journey, the album for which Balance are still today highly regarded is the follow up “In For The Count” released in 1982. The line-up was completed by former Speedway Blvd. member (the band that also featured the future Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess) Dennis Feldman on bass and Chuck Burgi (ex Brand X and later with Rainbow and Red Dawn) on drums. On “In For The Count” the band kicked in with heavier guitars and outstanding production skills, with a song writing talent that was not afraid to experiment while still keeping their strong Melodic Rock trademark intact.
In a perfect world that record should have catapulted Balance to the same level of popularity as Journey, Foreigner or Survivor, however fate and the label’s lack of support decreed the end of the band. As proof of the multi-talented artists involved in Balance, all members went on to brilliant careers in music in the following years. Kulick, continued collaborating with the members of KISS and Meat Loaf and went on to form Skull and Murderer’s Row, before becoming a Grammy Award producer in LA. Katsaros played, sang & arranged for KISS, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bon Jovi, Sinéad O’Connor and Aerosmith among others and worked in several rockin’ Broadway shows, including The Rocky Horror Show and Footloose. Peppy collaborated and sang on records by Diana Ross, KISS, Laura Branigan and Michael Bolton before starting to work in the jingles business.
The three of them kept in touch and had the chance to work together on several 
projects, however they could never resume the Balance concept and complete their musical circle, so as soon as they got a proposal from Frontiers Records, and after the recent reissue of their classic “In For The Count” album on Rock Candy / Universal, they decided the time was right to start working again, in Doug Katsaros words, on “tunes mostly originally written for a third album, and shelved at the collapse of the record company”.
Completed with the help of Bret Chassen on drums (who also co-produced the album together with Bob Kulick), the resulting album “Equilibrium” is truly a labour of love: a record written and crafted with the highest respect for the fans and the same enthusiasm as the old days, bringing back the trademark sound and updating it to the production techniques and taste of the new millennium. “All the guitars, vocals, synths and mix sounds are based on the original two records”, explains Katsaros, “we took great care in making certain there was nothing that could not have been performed in the 1980s, even the sequences. Also, the songs are authentic to the time period, since most of them were written in the time period! And we always had astonishing background harmonies and Peppy and I worked hard to keep that up as well. And you can’t beat using the original members to get an authentic sound! It was also great fun to recreate the whole blend of a tight intricate keyboard part as a counterpoint to Bobby’s brilliance.”
“Equilibrium” final tracklisting will include: Twist of Fate; Breathe; Old Friends; What Have You Done; Winner Takes All; Crazy Little Suzie; Liar; Walk Away; Who You Gonna Love; Forever; Rainbows End.
0 QUEENSRŸCHE Saves “the Ball”
There is a change to the bill for KISW‘s annual Holiday Hangover Ball, to be held this Friday, December 12, 2008 at Showbox SoDo in Seattle, Washington. Original headliners SALIVA who were scheduled to play, have been forced to cancel due to an unexpected health scare of lead singer Josey Scott.
In following with the annual tradition of delivering the Northwest’s best holiday party, KISW was forced to come up with a replacement for SALIVA.QUEENSRŸCHE will come to the rescue and take the stage at this year’s event. Ticketholders will be treated to a rare acoustic set with members ofQUEENSRŸCHE plus Duff McKagan‘s (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N’ ROSES) LOADED and JET BLACK STARE along with all the other fun and excitement you’ve come to expect at a KISW Holiday Hangover Ball.
The organizers state: “If you have purchased tickets to see SALIVA at theHoliday Hangover Ball, DON’T LOSE YOUR TICKET. SALIVA will return to Seattle when Josey‘s health permits, and your 2008 HHB ticket will get you entrance to that show for free. You essentially will be able to enjoy both this year’s Holiday Hangover Ball and a SALIVA show for the price of the ticket you purchased.”
We know you join us in wishing Josey a speedy recovery, and thanking Queensryche for stepping up and helping save the day.
We look forward to seeing all of you Friday night at The Showbox Sodo for the KISW Deep Fried – Double Wide Holiday Hangover Ball.
Official statement from Saliva management:
We’re regretful to announce that Saliva will not be able to perform at KISW’s 2008 Holiday Hangover due to an unexpected health scare of lead singer Josey Scott. He was hospitalized Monday evening due to an irregular heartbeat. The band was scheduled to depart for the nationally syndicated radio show Rockline when Scott noticed a fluttering in his heart that didn’t seem right. The paramedics were called and he was taken to a local hospital where he spent the next four nights. His diagnosis was cardiac arrhythmia, which in some cases can be life threatening. His heartbeat was stabilized Wednesday afternoon and is under doctor’s orders for several days of no travel and rest. The band prides themselves to be a hard working act who has rarely ever missed a performance. They apologize to the fans in the Seattle area for this unfortunate situation. There will definitely be a make up show in 2009.
Source: www.kisw.com
0 DANGER DANGER In The Studio, New Album Planned For Spring 2009
Here is some news people have been waiting a long time to hear.
DANGER DANGER’s Bruno Ravel has issued the following update on the band’s next album:
“Ted (Poley) has completed five basic vocal tracks and will be returning in a few weeks to sing some more. We plan to finish all the recording in January and then we will finally start to mix!”
A release is tentatively planned for April/May 2009 through Frontiers Records. More details will be revealed soon.
Danger Danger is Bruno Ravel (bass), Steve West (drums), Rob Marcello (guitars) and Ted Poley (vocals). Go to the band’s official MySpace page here.
Source: bravewords.com
2 Armored Saint Working on New Album
Legendary California-based ARMORED SAINT have issued the following update:
“Due to the nature of vague speculation albeit created by your authors here, Armored Saint are officially announcing that they’ve begun writing new songs for a new record due in 2009.
The band line-up is as it was on 2000’s Revelation and 1992’s Symbol of Salvation: John Bush (vocals), Jeff Duncan (guitars), Phil Sandoval (guitars), Joey Vera (bass) and Gonzo (drums).
The band has written close to 12 songs as of now and are ready to enter the recording studio in the next month or so.
Some working titles include: ‘Loose Cannon’, ‘Chilled’, ‘La Raza’ and ‘Black Feet’.
The band plans on entering the studio with bassist Joey Vera handling the engineering and producing duties.
Saint will be headlining one show in Los Angeles at the Key Club on March 6th 2009. Aside from the co-headline tour in Australia in March with DEATH ANEL and the headlining of the Keep it True Festival in Germany in April, the band has no further shows booked at this time. There are a few festivals in Europe during summer being looked at for booking but no confirmations as of yet.
Courtesy of Bravewords.com
0 LES CLAYPOOL Makes History on New Year’s Eve
FIRST EVER ROCK SHOW @ The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco
Co- Headlining is Dweezil Zappa performing Zappa Plays Zappa
Opening is Critically Acclaimed Singer/Songwriter Tim Fite
L
Les Claypool, infamous bassist and mastermind of the legendary band Primus will add yet another feather of creative genius to his hat. As a showman of colossal proportion, Claypool has created a visual and aural extravaganza in 3-D of the unexpected for his debut at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. This is the first ever rock show to take place at the War Memorial Opera House home to housing the opera and ballet
The Opera House is one of the most beautiful venues in Northern California, and this is the first ever rock concert there. The box seats, usually reserved for ballet or opera season ticket holders, offer a unique viewing experience for groups of 8, including a private vestibule, waitress service and souvenir poster.
Les Claypool rose to fame in the early 90’s as leader of the multi platinum alt rock band Primus. Taking his funk derived mastery of the electric bass and witty story songs, he dove into the jamband scene in 2000. Primus headlined their annual New Year’s Eve Freak Out in the Bay Area from 1992-99, and Claypool has continued the tradition in the Bay Area ever since. His midnight climaxes are legendary and always over the top. Thematically manifesting everything from a band of cave man circa Quest For Fire to a parade of costumed freaks, Claypool takes great pride in his New Years Eve performances and extras. This year’s show will present unparalleled 3D visuals, with 3D glasses included in the ticket as well as other interesting antics that only Claypool himself could derive.
Zappa Plays Zappa has received rave reviews for the last few years, as Dweezil has carried on his father’s legacy. The music of Frank Zappa couldn’t be in better hands than the high level of musicianship collected in this group which includes some alumni from the original band (Ray White, also of KVHW).
This show marks the first ever appearance of a Zappa on the same bill with Claypool. He and Primus have often been compared to Frank, and Primus guitarist Larry LaLonde was recruited by Rykodisc several years ago to compile a Zappa Picks compilation of his favorites from Frank’s catalogue.
Les Claypool with Zappa Plays Zappa & Tim Fite
New Year’s Eve – December 31, 2008 at 8pm
War Memorial Opera House
Ticket prices will range from $69 – $125
Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 415-421-TIXS OR 510-625-TIXS.
8 KISS Recording First New Album Since 1998
Kiss has reversed course and decided to hit the studio next year to record its first new album since 1998’s “Psycho Circus.” Guitarist Paul Stanley will produce.
In recent years, bassist Gene Simmons has been vocal about his lack of enthusiasm about making a new album, which he attributes to the state of the business.
“The record industry is in such a mess,” he told Billboard in November 2007. “There is nothing in me that wants to go in there and do new music. How are you going to deliver it? How are you going to get paid for it if people can just get it for free?”
In 2006, Stanley told Billboard making a new Kiss album in the shadow of the band’s classic repertoire would be a formidable challenge. “The fact is, [fans] may tolerate the new songs, but it’s the old ones you want to hear,” he said. “I think Jimmy Page and Robert Plant found that out. The [Rolling] Stones certainly know it. The Who certainly know it. So unless you’re willing to go into the studio accepting that how your album will be received will never match your expectations, I’m not sure it’s worth the effort.”
Stanley admitted complete control would change his mind. “I would consider doing it if I could do it the way I wanted to do it,” he explained, adding that his 2006 solo album “Live To Win” confirmed how he’d “like music to sound that I’m a part of. To do another Kiss album, I would not be willing to compromise my point of view perhaps as much as I have in recent years.”
It’s unknown how Kiss will distribute the album, which will feature original members Stanley and Simmons alongside guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer.
Following its 35th anniversary tour, which primarily played Europe this summer, Kiss is expected to hit North America at some point in 2009.
0 Metal Band MELDRUM Completes Recording Of New Album
In Honor Of Michelle Meldrum
MELDRUM’s drummer, Gene Hoglan, announced the completion of recording their new album, entitled LIFER, consisting of ten tracks for 2009 release.
The new album stands as a proud tribute to founder, Michelle Meldrum, who passed away earlier this year. The album contains material written by both Meldrum and Hoglan, with new member’s bassist Laura Christine and vocalist Michele Madden.
LIFER is sonically different in direction than anything previously released by the band. With new life, and new talent, this album has carried the talents these four have to a higher level.
“Let me say this: Never have I obsessed over the recording of any album I’ve been involved in as I have with MELDRUM‘s latest,” explains Hoglan. “The tragic circumstances that took Michelle from us, also provided us with a laser-sharp focus to record the most amazing album we could. Michele Madden, Laura Christine, and hell, even Chicken, our engineer, put forth performances of a lifetime, with each member’s full love and respect going into every nuance of every song. Not only to honor Michelle, but to also lay down some badass music, which was ultimately what she stood for…what MELDRUM stands for. I think the songs speak for themselves, and I, for one, have never been prouder to be a part of a family, let alone a project such as this. Metal with balls. Crank it up, indeed.”
MELDRUM plans to unveil previews from their studio sessions on their Myspace in coming weeks, with news on the new release, music videos and tours forthcoming.
For more information go to www.meldrum.nu or www.myspace.com/meldrumrocks
0 Rev Theory & Jam Legend Let Fans Rock Out Online
Interscope artists Rev Theory have partnered with online music gaming platform Jam Legend, which has just left private beta and is now open to the public!
Rev Theory’s track “Hell Yeah” will be available at launch, with current single “Light It Up” debuting next week. Both songs come from Rev Theory’s major label debut Light It Up, which hit stores earlier this year.
Jam Legend is a free, browser-based gaming platform that simulates the thrill of rocking out to a sold out crowd, while enabling features never before available in console games such as Rock Band or Guitar Hero. CNet’s Josh Lowensohn called it “just brilliant,” and that experience is now available to players everywhere.
On the road this winter with Hinder for the Jägermeister Music Tour, Rev Theory have been playing to sold-out crowds and, in their off time, reviewing videogames on their bus for IGN.com with their Gamercast video series.
Rev Theory – www.RevTheory.com
Jam Legend – www.JamLegend.com
Check out Rev Theory’s video, “Light It Up” below!
0 Fashion Bombs CD Giveaway
The Fashion Bombs have posted the following at their website:
The holiday season is among us and we at FashionBomb.net are sharing in the spirit with a NEW CONTEST! The winner of this contest will receive a SIGNED copy of the “Devils to Some, Angels to Others” CD and a SIGNED “Dead Techology” Graphic T-Shirt!
Here is how to participate:
1.) Post your personal review of “Devils to Some, Angels to Others” on itunes, SonyStyle.com, BestBuy.com, BarnesandNoble.com, CircuitCity.com, Target.com, borders.com, barnesandnoble.com, towerrecords.com, virgin.com or any other online retailer.
Your review does not have to be long in length, but FashionBomb.net reserves the right to reject plagiarized and one or two word reviews.
2.) After your review is posted, send a link and your REAL NAME to: contest@fashionbomb.net and you will be entered into a random drawing.
Multiple entries are not only accepted, but encouraged. For each review you post, follow Step 2 accordingly.
3.) All reviews must be posted by and entered into the contest by no later than 12/31/08. The winner will be announced on New Years Day (1/1/09).
Good luck to all who enter!
0 Helstar’s “The King of Hell” Due January 13th!
On January 13, Locomotive Records will release Helstar’s fifth studio album, The King Of Hell. This highly anticipated album is the first studio album to be released by Helstar in 13 years.
The band’s current line up includes vocalist James Rivera, guitarists Larry Barragan and Rob Trevino, bassist Jerry Abarca, and drummer Russel DeLeon. The bands and artists that Helstar has toured with in the past is more than impressive and includes world renowned musicians including Megadeth, W.A.S.P., and Yngwie Malmsteen.
With this new album, Helstar will satisfy their old fans, as well as entice new fans. Barragan and Trevino’s screaming guitar harmonies on The King Of Hell along with Rivera’s powerful vocals will captivate metal fans. Praised for their technical skills and 
creativity, Helstar is back to lead the metal scene once again.
Track Listing:
1) The King Of Hell
2) The Plague Called Man
3) Tormentor
4) Pain
5) Wicked Disposition
6) Caress Of The Dead
7) When Empires Fall
8) In My Darkness
9) Garden Of Temptation
0 STATIC-X RELEASES FIRST-EVER LIVE CONCERT DVD — CANNIBAL KILLERS LIVE OUT NOW on REPRISE RECORDS
Special Package Includes Live Audio Cd And Video History
Limited Edition Package Contains Early 1997 Bonus Concert From Hollywood’s Famous Whiskey On Sunset Strip
Los Angeles-based metal quartet Static-X have just announced the release of their first full-length live concert DVD, entitled Cannibal Killers Live, which will be released by Reprise Records on October 7th, 2008. The footage was shot during a show in Spokane, WA, on June 2, 2007, shortly after the release of the band’s latest studio album Cannibal. The 17-song set compiled from the tour includes material from Static-X’s entire 14-year career, showcasing old favorites like “Push It” and “Bled For Days,” along with newer songs from Cannibal, like the album single “Destroyer” and everything in between. Wayne Static, who dubs his brand of metal “evil disco,” posted the following message to fans on the band’s website: “Cannibal Killers Live looks and sounds absolutely awesome and I can’t wait to share it with you!”
A complete video history will also be included in the special package, with every video Static-X has ever made, along with an audio CD of the concert (track listing below). In addition, a limited-edition package will be released on October 7th that includes a bonus DVD featuring the band’s 1997 concert at Hollywood’s famous Whiskey A Go-Go club, which was recorded two years prior to the release of Static-X’s platinum-selling debut Wisconsin Death Trip. Pre-order details will be announced shortly on the band’s website.
Static-X garnered rave reviews for their appearances on the mainstage at Ozzfest 2007. The Los Angeles Times praised them for pumping out “a tight, ultra-loud set of rhythm-obsessed ‘evil disco’.” The Seattle Post-Intelligencer noted that their “straight-up sonic brutality through feverish riffs and rhythmic bombasts cast shrapnel-like grenades into the audience,” while the O.C. Register raved: “Static-X found its groove early on, amping up the crowd with its brand of hyperactive dissonance.”
Cannibal, which was released April 3, 2007, debuted at Number 36 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart, selling more than 30,000 its first week out. The album has gone on to sell more than 160,000 copies, solidifying the band’s place as one of the metal’s pre-eminent artists.
Static –X, which is Wayne Static (vocals, guitar, programming), Tony Campos (bass, backing vocals), Koichi Fukuda (lead guitar, keyboards, programming) and Nick Oshiro (drums) will go into the studio this fall for work on their sixth studio album, to be released in 2009. 
TRACK LISTING FOR CANNIBAL KILLERS LIVE CD/DVD:
1. Cannibal
2. Dirthouse
3. Sh** In A Bag
4. I’m With Stupid
5. Bled For Days
6. No Submission
7. Behemoth
8. Destroy All
9. Cold
10. Black And White
11. Destroyer
12. The Enemy
13. The Trance Is The Motion
14. This Is Not
15. Love Dump
16. Push It
17. Get To The
0 New Y&T Album in 2009?!
California rockers Y&T have issued the following:
“Happy holidays to our fans around the world, from all of us in Y&T! We loved spending our busiest year so far this decade with those of you who came to the 2008 shows, talked with us in person, and communicated with us online through our forum. We care what you have to say and love hearing from you. We never forget or take for granted that the success of the shows we do each year are in large part made possible because of the dedication of you great fans who come out to see our shows every year. As long as you keep coming, we’ll keep playing.
We want to give a very special thanks to those who work so hard for us in front of and behind the scenes each and every year. Our great crew – Tom, Chrys, Rolf, and our amazing manager Jill. You keep us moving forward and running smoothly, ensuring we always come across the best we can. We’re blessed with your hard work, dedication, great talents, class, and most of all–your friendship.
And now we look ahead to 2009, which is to be a banner year for Y&T. Not only will it be our 35th year anniversary as a band, but we will be starting the year out by immediately getting into the studio to write for the first new original material Y&T record in over a decade. And depending on our tour schedule, and with any luck, we will be shooting for a late 2009 release.
We look forward to kicking some serious ass and sharing this upcoming monumental year with as many of you as we can, as we head back out to tour around the world again.
Thanks, again, for an amazing year!”
Courtesy of Bravewords.com
0 Papa Roach – Getting Away With Murder (Release Year – 2004)
I must admit that I haven’t been much of a Papa Roach fan over the years. After seeing their high energy set in Cruefest this summer, I decided to check out some of the Papa Roach’s back catalog, starting off with the bands’ 2004 CD, “Getting Away With Murder“. If it wasn’t for that live performance, I may not have picked this CD up. Much to my chagrin, I should have picked this disc up much sooner than I did.
I always considered Papa Roach to be more of a nu-metal or rap metal act, but as I quickly discovered, Papa Roach’s sound has been changing quite a bit over the years. Their current sound is more of a modern hard rock approach that blends in bits of pop, rock, and maybe even a dash of hardcore.
Jacoby Shaddix can go from a regular singing voice to a metal/hardcore like scream in a blink of an eye. Luckily their isn’t too many cookie monsterisms in his singing, which makes this disc a little more palatable to my tastes. If this CD has any faults, it is the lack of guitar solos, but the music style is quite common for rock artists today.
Not every song on this disc are instant classics, but there are quite a few good ones. Some of my favorite cuts on this disc are “Getting Away With Murder”, “Be Free”, and “Scars”.
“Getting Away With Murder” is Papa Roach’s 2nd CD to achieve a platinum selling status. (The first was the multi-platinum selling CD, “Infest”). If you are into today’s modern rock artists, you ought to give Papa Roach a chance. I was surprised to find that I liked the majority of the songs on this disc, and I think many of you will too. You can check out Papa Roach on the web at this link.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Blood (Empty Promises)
2. Not Listening
3. Stop Looking/Start Seeing
4. Take Me
5. Getting Away with Murder
6. Be Free
7. Done with You
8. Scars
9. Sometimes
10. Blanket of Fear
11. Tyranny Normality
12. Do or Die
Papa Roach is:
Jacoby Shaddix – vocals
Jerry Horton – guitar / vocals
Tobin Esperance – bass / guitar / vocals
Dave Buckner – drums / vocals
1 New Vision Divine Album in January – Sound Samples Are Available
Frontiers Records is excited to announce the signing for a multi album deal of the mighty VISION DIVINE, Italy’s Melodic Metal Finest. The new cooperation will bring the first fruits with the release of the band’s brand new studio album “9 Degrees West of the Moon” on January 23rd 2009.
Born as a side project of the esteemed guitarist and songwriter of Labyrinth, Olaf Thorsen, to keep his working relationship with Fabio Lione (former Labyrinth vocalist who had moved on to Rhapsody) Vision Divine evolved during the years in a real band who released 5 acclaimed studio albums, one DVD and toured several times in Japan, South and North America and played in several European countries.
The new album is particularly important in the history of the band as it marks the return of Fabio Lione on lead vocals, after Thorsen’s decision to say goodbye to Michele Luppi in June 2008. “Fabio’s return is like going back to square one for us”, comments the band’s creative mastermind Olaf “However Vision Divine is a band that did always move forward and I think that with his voice and interpretation he has enriched the songs and gave them a very peculiar and personal edge. I am truly enthusiast of his return in the band and look forward to bring this record out there with his amazing vocal abilities”. Vision Divine line-up is completed by Alessio Lucatti on keyboards, Cristiano Bertocchi (ex-Labyrinth) on bass, Federico Puleri on guitar and Alessandro Bissa on drums.
Produced by none other than the former Stratovarius mainman Timo Tolkki, Vision Divine created what is 
easily their most mature and intense record to date. Entitled “9 Degrees West of The Moon”, this is Vision Divine ‘s heaviest, but yet most melodic and catchy album ever, showing why they are now the number 1 band in the Italian Metal scene. “Melodies are the most important element of our music. However our songwriting is very diverse” explains Olaf, who adds “all the songs have very different atmospheres and can go from melodic songs like Violet Loneliness to very aggressive and heavy ones. I think there is something for everyone on this record“.
“Vision Divine are also working hard on putting up a new World Tour which will bring the band to play again in Asia, South America and possibly Europe outside their homeland Italy. “9 Degrees West Of The Moon” is a fantastic journey that fans will consider as the true Vision Divine career defining statement!
The album’s final tracklisting includes: Violet Loneliness; Fading Shadow; Angels In Disguise; The Killing Speed of Time; The Streets Of Laudomia; Fly; Out In Open Space; 9 Degrees West of The Moon; A Touch Of Evil; Fading Shadow (demo version – Exclusive Bonus Track for Europe)
0 New Video – Malice in Wonderland – Stars
This Song and video was recorded especially for a Finnish charity tv show called Nose Day. A cover song of Rauli Badding Somerjoki with rewritten lyrics in English. This is not an official Malice in Wonderland song or video but done only for Yle’s charity TV-gala Nose Day Nov.14th
0 Stage Dolls Signs with Sony Music
One of Norway’s most successful bands since the 80’s are releasing a new album in 2009.
With album classics like Commandos,Stage Dolls and Stripped Stage Dolls dominated the Norwegian music-scene in the 80’s and early 90’s.
After continuous touring in Norway followed by USA the single Love cries went into the American Bilboard top 100 (46#) and 3# in the Album Rock Charts.
The album is planned for release Spring 2009 in Norway and Europe followed up by touring.
0 New Video – Down – N.O.D.
New Orleans rockers, Down featuring former Pantera singer Phil Anselmo, have released a new video “N.O.D.”
Check it out here!
6 KISS To Tour America in 2009?
Having recently completed a 30-plus-date European tour, Kiss will “eventually when we’re ready tour America,” co-founder Gene Simmons said during a keynote address today (Nov. 20) at the fifth annual Billboard Touring Conference, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.
Referring to Kiss as the “juggernaut of all rock’n’roll brands,” Simmons said the band is currently working out future tour details. “We’ve been talking with [manager Doc McGhee] about Europe and then doing a year-long tour maybe this coming summer, but we’ll see,” Simmons said. “Kiss and Queen, that would be a smash. That would kill. So far (it’s) 50/50.”
During the address, Simmons, who is also a reality TV star and entrepreneur, stressed the duties of being a live performer. “I don’t care if you’re Axl Rose, forgot to tie your shoelaces or your father molested you when you were three — you’re a bitch if you don’t show up onstage when it says 9 o’clock,” he said, drawing loud applause from the audience.
“You need to have the integrity and self-respect to respect the promoter who paid you the money in advance, the hall and the people who makes all our lives possible,” he continued.
Speaking to an audience of primarily concert promoters, venue officials and booking agents, Simmons warned those in the live entertainment industry that it wouldn’t be wise to lower concert ticket prices. “Don’t do that, you’re training an entire generation of people to pay less for something and then more for something else,” he said. “They won’t know what the value is and they’d rather pay less every time.”
Simmons stressed that the touring business needs to quickly think about the future of its model. “Thank God you’re the last vestiges of a dying breed, because the record industry is already dead, because we trained the people [that] they don’t have to pay for stuff that they used to pay for,” he said. “The record industry allowed that and people are shocked they’re out of business.”
Meanwhile, Simmons expressed his discontent with the fact that Kiss, which he co-founded in 1972, has not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “A lot of those guys on the board can go and get my sandwich when I want, and I mean that in the nicest way,” he said. “There are disco bands, rap bands, Yiddish folk song bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but not Kiss. I believe we have more gold records in America than any other group, but it’s OK.”
Billboard executive director of content and programming for touring and live entertainment Ray Waddell conducted today’s Q&A with Simmons. The keynote address was filmed for an episode of his A&E reality show “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” currently in its third season.
Source Billboard.com
0 Guns N’ Roses Chinese Democracy to Premiere on Myspace Tonight!
Guns N’ Roses will be world premiering their long-awaited Chinese Democracy on their MySpace page tonight at 12AM EST. The album will be hitting Best Buy stores exclusively on November 23rd. The band leaked a new song, “Better,” earlier this week and the title track single is all over radio.
Check out Chinese Democracy in it’s entirety at www.MySpace.com/GunsNRoses at 12AM EST tonight!
1 ‘Live At The Astoria’ in-store appearance and DVD Screening Party – Friday, November 21!
On November 18th, Twisted Sister releases “Live At The Astoria,” a special twin-disc CD/DVD that marks the first commercially-released, uncensored Twisted Sister concert in over 25 years. This very special concert was taped in London in 2004, and is hailed by critics as the band’s greatest live triumph in its
35-year career.
The band will do an in-store appearance at J&R Music & Computer World @ Park Row in Downtown Manhattan (across the street from City Hall Park) at 5:30 on Friday November 21.
We are hosting an intimate DVD screening party on Friday, November 21st @ Webster Hall, from 8-10PM (not in the main space, but in the room on the ground floor, just after you enter the venue). The classic lineup of Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Eddie Ojeda, Mark Mendoza and A.J. Pero will be in attendance, and there will be drink specials from Jagermeister.
If you would like to come by and start your Friday night early, please RSVP to:
Matt@rebellionentertainment.com
We’d like to see as many of you there as possible. Come out and celebrate the release of ‘Live At The Astoria’ with us!
2 KEEL To Reunite in 2009!
“The Right To Rock” still echoes the sentiments of a generation and remains one of the defining anthems of 80’s Heavy Metal Music. And KEEL, the band that created it, is finally poised to revisit their legacy and reunite on stage for the first time to celebrate over two decades of good music and good times. 2009 will mark the band’s 25th anniversary, and the passing of twenty years since the classic KEEL lineup performed on stage together.
Ron Keel, Marc Ferrari, Bryan Jay & Dwain Miller are preparing to perform a select number of dates in 2009. Due to the high visibility the act continues to receive, the members finally feel the time is right to deliver the show fans everywhere have been clamoring for: a KEEL reunion.
In 1985, “The Right To Rock” became the fastest-selling debut album in A&M Record’s history. The title track was a hit on radio & MTV and remains a staple on VH1 Classic, in addition to the group’s subsequent hits “Tears Of Fire,” “Because The Night,” “Somebody’s Waiting” and “Rock & Roll Outlaw.” They developed a reputation as one of the genre’s most entertaining live acts, opening for heavyweights like Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Van Halen, and many others. KEEL sold over 2 million albums and was proclaimed Best New Band by Metal Edge Magazine, Circus Magazine, and Rock Scene.
Through the years, the nucleus of the band has remained close friends, working together in various musical and business enterprises. Vocalist Ron Keel has maintained a high profile with a variety of projects and has remained intensely active as a recording and touring musician. He has continued to embrace and promote his time in KEEL in countless interviews, and his live shows have proudly included the KEEL hits. Guitarists Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay have continued to write, record, and perform and have remained in the industry via music publishing, song licensing, and other business ventures. When Ron’s band passed through LA on tour, they were joined on stage by Marc & Bryan – playing a medley of KEEL classics, and proving to themselves and the fans that the magic was still as strong as ever.
Unlike most of their contemporaries, none of the members has ever performed as KEEL since 1989. “It would not have been right,” expresses Ron. “Even though it was my last name, KEEL was a true band and I have always taken a stand against performing under that name with different musicians. I’ve had a number of bands in the years since, including Fair Game, IronHorse and K2 – but there’s only ever been one KEEL and without Bryan, Marc, and Dwain I wouldn’t be doing this.” The four original members will be joined on stage by Ron’s long-time bassist Geno Arce, who spent six years with him in IronHorse.
A new web site has been launched to establish an internet home for the KEEL Reunion: http://keelreunion.com
The KEEL “Debut Reunion Concert” will take place in Hollywood on Saturday, January 31st. The location for this historic event will be Club Vodka at The Knitting Factory – visit the web site and stay tuned to MySpace for details.
Recent highlights have included KEEL’s live version of “The Right To Rock” on the “Hollywood Rocks” boxed 4-CD collection, and the band also participated in the accompanying documentary from Cleopatra Records/Ultra Films – Ron, Marc and Bryan contributed a candid and insightful interview segment to the project, telling tales of Metal’s heyday, and discussing their career and the possibility of a KEEL reunion.
And in 2008, for the first time ever, KEEL’s rare independent debut album “Lay Down The Law” was finally released on CD by Shrapnel Records, digitally remastered with new packaging.
Plans are for KEEL to reunite at a select number of festivals and showcase dates to perform all their hits and classic favorites in celebration of 25 years of rock & roll history.
Check out the classic Keel video, “Somebody’s Waiting” below.
3 Superstar Rockers Puddle of Mudd Play Rock Gone Wild 2009
Puddle of Mudd currently have two singles climbing the charts and the band continues to circle the globe promoting their new album Famous. Planets aligned, deals were struck and Puddle of Mudd will be main stage at Rock Gone Wild. The festival is slated for August 20-23, 2009 in Algona, Iowa.
The guys in Puddle of Mudd are hardened road warriors and quite at home playing in front of capacity crowds. From their breakout single “Blurry” to their most recent hit “We Don’t Have to Look Back Now,” the band is poised to reign supreme among the modern rock kings. Their addition to the Rock Gone Wild lineup adds a unique twist to the ever-expanding festival roster.
The Midwestern band formed in 1993 as the music world was hitting a height of change. A handful of songs and years later, the band made their major label debut and garnered a string of Top 40 hits. To date, Puddle of Mudd has sold more than seven million records worldwide. Wesley Scantlin, Doug Ardito, Christian Stone and Ryan Yerdon are Puddle of Mudd.
Rock Gone Wild is Iowa’s preeminent music festival, featuring more than 50 bands on two stages over four debauchery-filled days. The festival is the only type of its kind in America to boast top music talent from four decades of hard rock.
Music fans can experience Rock Gone Wild in three different ways: platinum, VIP or general admission seating. For a breakdown of all seating tiers and to purchase tickets, please visit www.rockgonewild.com. Over the next few weeks,www.rockgonewild.com will become a virtual destination, complete with interactive contests and games as the countdown to Rock Gone Wild heats up.
Already announced bands include Skid Row, Kix, Great White, Dangerous Toys, Helix, Saigon Kick, Rhino Bucket and Junkyard. Visit www.rockgonewild.com or www.anatomyofafestival.wordpress.com each Tuesday for a new band announcement.
Rock Gone Wild will take place at the Freedom Park festival grounds, located at 2507- 160th Avenue in Algona, Iowa.
If you build it, they will rock.
***
Rock now. Rock on. Rock wild.
0 AFM Records Signs The New Black
We are proud to announce another new signing on AFM Records: The debut album of „The New Black” will be released in spring 2009. The New Black play Rock. Real Rock, real heavy. With all the good stuff that comes with it: Hooklines, cool leads, riffs galore.
Just imagine Black Label Society inviting the Nickelback guy over for some Thin Lizzy covers, all dressed up in Pantera shirts.
Stay tuned for upcoming news!
Hard Rock Hideout 