Bret Michaels Band Guitarist Scores Gold Record Award
Multi-faceted musician / studio whiz Pete Evick is proud to announce that he has secured his first gold record for his involvement in current media darlings Paramore's latest album, 'The Final Riot!'.
The guitarist for the Bret Michaels Band and leader of his namesake band was brought in by producer Jeff Juliano to digitally edit the modern rock heroes live album. "The album had been mixed down but they were on a tight deadline to deliver it to their label so Jeff suggested they send it to me to see what I could do with it, knowing that I understand editing software for use in live recordings better than most," says Evick. "I also work at a pretty rapid pace and could meet their deadline so I worked on it a few days, sent it back and all was good. It was an honour to work a young band like Paramore who aren't only talented, they really have their act together."
Having had his first Top 40 album in 2008 and now his first gold record, the very busy Pete Evick can currently be seen on the road with the Bret Michaels Band through the Spring at which time he'll turn his attention to his own band's new releases, the digital Ep, "The Real Thing" and the full length album, 'Reflections.'
4/13/09
Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' Heads to 'Rock Band'
Well, it wasn't 15 years -- Guns N' Roses fans need only wait until this Tuesday (less than 6 months after the official album release) to get the 'Rock Band' version of 'Chinese Democracy.'
With the song 'Shackler's Revenge' already on the 'Rock Band 2' soundtrack, the game version of 'Chinese Democracy' will feature the 13 remaining tracks, available bundled or as individual songs for most platforms. And you don't even need to go to Best Buy to get them -- they'll be offered as downloads beginning next week.
Virtual guitarists take note: For true simulation mode, you may wish to purchase an optional bucket of KFC to place over your head.<
3/29/09
NEW Steel Panther video kicking ass on youtube
After only 5 days on youtube the new Steel Panther video "Death To All But Metal" has over 35,000 views..check out the stats"
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3/29/09
DJ Ashba is the latest addition to Guns N’ Roses
fter Guns N’ Roses finally released Chinese Democracy last fall, the band is putting together what seems to be a final lineup. With the most recent addition of DJ Ashba, it looks like the band maybe hitting the road for a stadium summer tour, according to Rock Daily. The tour would be a worldwide.
DJ Ashba comes with a pretty decent resume. Not only is he a DJ, he’s a guitarist, writer and producer. He is most known for co-writing and co-producing the Motley Crue album Saints of Los Angeles.
“DJ’s a gifted, energetic guitarist that Guns n’ Roses is proud to have on board!” Axl Rose said of his new axeman in an exclamation-point-packed statement reported by Rollingstone.com. “We’re very excited to have the opportunity to work together. Guns’ radar has silently been aware of DJ’s presence for quite some time! He brings a fresh approach to our particular brand of mayhem expanding the tapestry of Guns n’ Roses live. Once DJ’s name was in the hat, the hat disappeared.”
DJ Ashba is looking forward to playing with his new band as well. He will be replacing Robin Finck, a guitarist who had a major role in Chinese Democracy. Finck left GNR to play with his old band, Nine Inch Nails.
3/29/09
Carrie Underwood May Write Songs With Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue
Carrie Underwood may team up with Nikki Sixx, the bassist of hard rock band Motley Crue, behind songwriting table and pen a few new songs with him in the future. The speculation comes in the wake of Nikki's statement claiming that despite their different musical backgrounds, he would love to work with her.
"I think we both want to write songs together," Nikki opens up to MTV. "She writes pop songs and I think I'm a pop songwriter, however the songs are performed."
Carrie has recorded a cover version of Motley Crue's 1985 song "Home Sweet Home" to provide a farewell theme song for "American Idol" contestant who will be sent home during its result show. In working on the cover version, she was almost joined by by Nikki Sixx but ended up going solo.
3/12/09
*NEW* song from Farcry-Fine Line
3/12/09
Poison's Bret Michaels Pens Tell-All Book
Poison frontman Bret Michaels promises to tell all when he publishes his autobiography, "Roses and Thorns: The Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy to My Reality" (Simon & Schuster) in June.
"It will give people the untold story," Michaels tells Billboard.com. "It gives you the sex, the drugs, the rock 'n' roll, but it also gives you the diabetes. It gives you every aspect of my life and what I'm going through. I think it's pretty frank. It's honest. It's at times self-deprecating. It's about what happens when you try to live out your dream and the reality of it all sets in and it's the hardest and the strangest thing you will ever do. I think when you read it you'll really get the understanding of what it's all about."
Michaels wants to separate "Roses and Thorns" from rock 'n' roll tell-alls such as Motley Crue's "The Dirt" and Aerosmith's "Walk This Way." "Those books stood on their own. This one has its own identity," he says. But he does promise revelations about Poison, and particularly his well-known conflicts with guitarist CeCe DeVille.
"One of the most therapeutic things to write was (about) the constant battle between CeCe and myself and the reality of why it is constantly there and why it exists," Michaels says. "Getting into a fist fight wtih someone who is your friend is one of the harder things to live with, much less write about."
"Roses and Thorns" is part of a busy year for Michaels, who turns 46 on Sunday (March 15). He's working on a new solo album that he hopes to release this summer; Michaels describes it as "a mix of some of my stuff with rock, with Americana, country...I don't know where you put that other than being kind of a rock sound." He's also priming Poison for a summer tour with Def Leppard and Cheap Trick that kicks off June 23 in Camden, N.J.
And he's in the midst of his third VH1 dating show, "Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels," which ends April 5. Michaels has not found lasting love in the first two versions of the show, but he's holding out hope that the third time will be the charm.
"I'm having a blast," Michaels says. "I think if you see the show, it's as real as can be. I'm not trying to play this holier-than-thou rock star. I'm just trying to play and (am) having a good time dating. And It's allowed me to have that much TV exposure, which definitely hasn't hurt. I'm certain not complaining."
3/12/09
Guns N Roses Eye Stadium Tour
Reformed rockers Guns N' Roses are reportedly planning a stadium world tour this summer to promote their comeback album Chinese Democracy.
The long-awaited disc was released in November, a full 15 years after frontman Axl Rose began work on it.
Despite a huge amount of hype, the disc failed to top the U.S. charts and has been considered by critics to be a flop - with many blaming Rose for refusing to appear publicly to promote it.
Last month, Rose revealed he had a long-term plan to promote the album - and the band's manager Irving Azoff now hints a tour is in the works.
He says, "Axl has been basically quiet, keeping out of the limelight for almost 15 years. People think they know him but they only really only know what has been said about him by questionable people. He is a good guy and often misunderstood - he is a professional who has worked very hard to build and maintain a high creative standard for Guns N' Roses, which I support. We have some exciting things in the works this year for GNR, I'm looking forward to it."
3/05/09
ROCKETT DENIES POISON RIFT WITH DEF LEPPARD
POISON drummer RIKKI ROCKETT has dismissed a fall-out with fellow rockers DEF LEPPARD
- insisting the bands share a "real mutual respect".
Rockett's group was reported to have clashed with Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott in June 2008 after the star criticised Poison's music - accusing them of lacking "substance" in their songs and relying too much on their 1980s image.
Poison frontman Bret Michaels hit back - slamming the British group for allegedly lip-syncing during a performance on U.S. TV show Dancing With The Stars.
But Rockett has now taken to his MySpace.com blog to insist the row was exaggerated - and confirmed the bands' planned jaunt with veteran rockers Cheap Trick this summer (09) will go ahead.
He writes, "Folks keep askin' me, 'Are you really touring with DEF LEPPARD this summer?' The answer is, Yes! Not only that, CHEAP TRICK is on the bill as well! Now, some of you are wondering things like, 'I thought POISON and Joe Elliott hated each other?' Well, not at all.
"Bret (Michaels, POISON singer), Joe and myself got a little carried away last summer takin' the p**s outta each other. The fact is, I think there is a real mutual respect between us. After all, both of our bands have withstood the test of time. Life is short, let's get rocked!"
3/05/09
Bon Jovi book coming out in the fall
Bon Jovi is ready to spill. The multiplatinum rockers are marking their 25th anniversary with "Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful," an "insider portrait" that includes previously unpublished photographs and text by the band members.
"The book offers unprecedented insights into the members' lives on stage, on the road, and at home, as well as intimate reflections on the highs and lows of their 25 years together," according to a statement issued Tuesday by publisher HarperCollins.
The book comes out next fall, when a documentary of the same name is released.
Bon Jovi's many hits include "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer."
3/05/09
Motley Crue to perform "Dr Feelgood in it's entirety
Motley Crue announced today they will perform the entire album, Dr. Feelgood, from beginning to end at every performance on their Summer festival tour, Crue Fest 2. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Dr. Feelgood, which became the Crue's first #1 album on the Billboard charts. To celebrate the anniversary, the band plans to theme the second edition of their festival tour with imagery inspired by Dr. Feelgood. Motley Crue will reveal details of the tour at a major press conference from the Fuse TV studios on March 16th in New York City and Fuse will air press conference highlights at 9pm ET/PT that evening.
3/05/09
AXL says "SLASH is a CANCER
The handful of optimistic Guns N' Roses fans still holding out for a reunion of the band's classic lineup can probably call it a day.
In a newly published interview, singer Axl Rose describes former bandmate Slash as "a cancer," elevating his distaste for the top-hatted guitarist to a new level.
Rose is the only original member left in Guns N' Roses, whose first studio album in 17 years, "Chinese Democracy," bombed badly last November. Slash quit the band in the mid-1990s, with both sides offering different reasons.
The mercurial singer barely promoted "Chinese Democracy," and has given just a handful of interviews.
In his latest public interface, published on Friday at AOL Music's spinner.com website, Rose sat down for a friendly interview with his pal, songwriter Del James.
The duo sidestepped the commercial failure of "Chinese Democracy," and the topic of a reunion inevitably came up. Rose said it was "highly doubtful for us to have more than one of the alumni up with us at any given time."
"I suppose (former bass player) Duff (McKagan) could play guitar on something somewhere but there's zero possibility of me having anything to do with Slash," Rose said.
"In a nutshell, personally I consider him a cancer and better removed, avoided -- and the less anyone heard of him or his supporters the better."
Rose was not even a fan of Slash's guitar playing, claiming he has lost his edge and seems to be more passionate about being "a whore for the limelight."
As for the other former bandmates, Rose said rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin's recent guest turns on stage with the band were fun, but that his old Indiana buddy was not the most reliable collaborator.
And drummer Steven Adler, who was fired in 1990 for excessive drug abuse, brings "assorted ambulance-chasing attorneys ... One gig or even a couple songs could mean years of behind-the-scenes legal aftermath." The drummer, who successfully sued the band for royalties, was recently seen on the VH1 reality shows "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" and "Sober House."
2/26/09
If you like Melodic Rock your gonna LOVE FarCry
From the FarCry MySpace page, take a moment and check it out! Love to hear what you guys think!
It's been a long road....but we are happy to say that we are finally kicking our debut album High Gear into well just that...HIGH GEAR!!! After numerous false starts and production gremlins having their way with us. We are excited to say that all is well and ready to rock. The CD is off to the manufacturer and should be in our hot little hands in about 15 biz days. So in the meantime, check out the two MP3s we posted. Big thanks to Ty Sims and Erik Johnson for helping produce our album and THEN SOME! A shout out to our label, for being in our corner. Here's to a long road of a different sort.
We are definitely going to make up for lost time as we have a lot brewing at the moment, but we'll be making announcements very soon with regard to our summer plans. Please let us know what you think and if you would like to order our cd direct from us. We will be posting a PayPal link this week. Or you can go to http://www.kivelrecords.com and snag it there.
If you like it, or you're just bored friend us on MySpace at the above address or join our group on FaceBook.
Cheers,
Pete/FarCry
2/26/09
Motley Crue Puts Crue Fest 2 On The Road
Mötley Crüe will reprise their multi-act hard rock tour this summer with Crüe Fest 2: The White Trash Circus.
The Live Nation-produced tour begins July 19 in Camden, N.J., and runs through September 5 in Darien Lake, N.Y. Full tour details, including the line up, will be revealed at a press conference broadcast from FUSE TV studios in New York on March 16, before Mötley Crüe hits the stage across the street at Madison Square Garden that evening.
Crüe Fest 2 pre-sale tickets will be available exclusively to Mötley Crüe fan club members beginning today (Feb. 25). Beginning on March 2, pre-sale tickets will be available to the public. Fans can go to www.cruefest2.com for pre-sale information.
Last year's debut Crue Fest featured Mötley Crüe, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx:A.M. and Trapt. The festival played for nearly half a million rock fans at Live Nation amphitheaters and arenas in 40 cities across North America.
The activities surrounding the announcement of this year’s line-up and ticket on-sale include launch parties in local venues and in-theater special screenings of a performance documentary on Crüe Fest 1, which will also be released on DVD on March 24th.
2/26/09
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. lists Malibu home for $1,749,000
Blackie Lawless, the heavy-metal singer and rhythm guitarist for W.A.S.P., has listed his Malibu home at $1,749,000.
The house is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom retreat of 1,100 square feet that sits on almost 3 acres. The upgraded main house has an outdoor barbecue area and a "wine cave," according to the Multiple Listing Service. There is also a stone guesthouse. A handcrafted rock wall winds through the property, which is next to hiking trails. Lawless is moving to a larger property he owns.
One of Lawless' trademarks during the band's stage performances is to mount a 1,000-pound metal sculpture, which doubles as a microphone stand. The 52-year-old musician is the only remaining original member of W.A.S.P., which formed in 1982. In the mid-1980s, the band drew the ire of the Parents Music Resource Center -- a group led by Tipper Gore, wife of then-Sen. Al Gore, that pushed for warning labels on records. The band released its most recent album, "Dominator," in April 2007.
2/19/09
Former GUNS N' ROSES Drummer STEVEN ADLER Joins ROCKETT DRUM WORKS
According to a posting on former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler's MySpace page, Adler visited Rockett Drum Works (owned by POISON drummer Rikki Rockett) in Woodland Hills, California this past Saturday to check in on the construction of his very own Rockett premium maple kit. While he was there, he also had the opportunity to try out some of the other kits in the RDW line. "They all play great!" he said. "Great sound! I'm so happy to be working with Rikki and everybody here!"
Rikki commented: "I have known Steven for about 24 years. We go way back to when all of us were toughing it out on the famous Hollywood rock circuit. Back then, we didn't know where our next meal was coming from, let alone our next pair of drum sticks! Today it's nice to be able to hand the keys to Steven on what I consider to be the Ferrari of drum kits."
Indeed, Steven's new kit is awesome! There are premium Drum Workshop bass spurs and tom legs, and custom billet aluminum single-point lugs used on all drums. The hardware is custom powder-coated transparent candy red. The drums' edges are cut at a double 45 degree, and the interiors are sanded smooth. Mark Remling of Coast Airbrush provided the stunning custom finish, the Tequila Sunrise burst.
"Steven has been through some amazing times and some really rough times," Rikki continued. "Somehow, he can sit right down and play drums like he never missed a beat anywhere in his life. I believe that is because it is coming from the soul and not from memory. This is the single thing that separates a drummer from a drum artist. Steven is indeed an artist. We here at Rockett Drum Works are proud to have him on our roster."
For more information, visit www.rockettdrumworks.com.
2/19/09
Former Guns N' Roses Bassist Duff McKagan: "Guns Reunion Could Happen"
New York, NY (CNS) - Rumor has it that the original Guns N' Roses line-up may perform together again. Former Guns N' Roses bass player Duff McKagan admits he has not ruled out a return to the group in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
McKagen, now a member of Velvet Revolver with fellow ex-Guns N' Roses star Slash, told Rolling Stone: "It could very well happen. It would have to be right and it would have to be righteous for everybody....[I]t would have to be like a kick ass thing, or it would just kind of be sour, I think."
Rubbishing reports that he doesn't get on with Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, the bassist said, "I love Axl. We've been through a lot of s*** together and s*** nobody can take away from us, no matter what people try to make of a squabble."
However, earlier this month, Rose said that he and Slash would die before a full band reunion would take place. "What's clear is that one of the two of us will die before a reunion and however sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is."
"Those decisions were made a long time ago and reiterated year after year by one man," the "Sweet Child O' Mine" singer said.
2/17/09
Motley Crue, Slipknot Top Rock On The Range Bill
The Rock On The Range festival will return to Columbus, OH, this spring with a potent lineup led by Motley Crue, Slipknot, Alice In Chains, Avenged Sevenfold and Korn.
The two-day, multi-stage rock extravaganza, set to take place May 16-17 at Crew Stadium, will play host to more than 35 acts including Shinedown, Buckcherry, The Used, Atreyu, Chevelle, Flyleaf, Saving Abel, Saliva, Blue October and Hoobastank. The full lineup is listed below.
Event features this year include the addition of a third stage, the Jagermeister Music Stage, as well as on-stage fan platforms for contest winners and an expanded vendor village.
Tickets for Rock On The Range go on sale Feb. 21 via the festival's website, the Crew Stadium box office and Ticketmaster (LiveDaily's parent company). Two-day passes start at $99.50, and VIP packages including hotel accommodations will also be offered.
Fans who want to help the festival with its "Go Green" initiative can recycle old cell phones and mp3 players in exchange for free tickets, memorabilia and official ROTR merchandise. More information is available at the event's "Go Green" website.
The upcoming fest marks Rock On The Range's third annual soiree. The 2007 inaugural event drew 30,000 rockers, and more than 55,000 fans came through the turnstiles last year, according to a press release.
Rock on the Range lineup (subject to change):
# Motley Crue
# Slipknot
# Alice In Chains
# Avenged Sevenfold
# Korn
# Buckcherry
# Shinedown
# Chevelle
# Flyleaf
# Saliva
# Saving Abel
# Blue October
# Hoobastank
# Atreyu
# Black Stone Cherry
# Trapt
# Static X
# Sick Puppies
# The Used
# Billy Talent
# All That Remains
# Crooked X
# Pop Evil
# State Of Shock
# Cavo
# Framing Hanley
# Adelita's Way
# Burn Halo
# The Leo Project
# Halestorm
# X Factor 1
# Charm City Devils
# Drive A
# Early Pearl
2/17/09
AC/DC, METALLICA, GUNS N' ROSES Among Top-Selling Albums Of 2008
AFP reports that AC/DC's "Black Ice", METALLICA's "Death Magnetic" and GUNS N' ROSES' "Chinese Democracy" were among the top-selling albums of 2008 globally, according to new figures from the London-based International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recording industry worldwide.
Top 20 best-selling albums of 2008 globally, according to IFPI:
01. COLDPLAY - "Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends"
02. AC/DC - "Black Ice"
03. Various Artists - "Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack Featuring The Songs Of ABBA"
04. DUFFY - "Rockferry"
05. METALLICA - "Death Magnetic"
06. LEONA LEWIS - "Spirit "
07. AMY WINEHOUSE - "Back To Black"
08. Various Artists - "High School Musical 3: Senior Year"
09. LIL WAYNE - "Tha Carter III"
10. RIHANNA - "Good Girl Gone Bad"
11. MADONNA - "Hard Candy"
12. BEYONCE - "I Am... Sasha Fierce"
13. PINK - "Funhouse"
14. GUNS N' ROSES - "Chinese Democracy"
15. BRITNEY SPEARS - "Circus"
16. JACK JOHNSON - "Sleep Through The Static"
17. IL DIVO - "The Promise"
18. TAYLOR SWIFT - "Fearless"
19. JONAS BROTHERS - "A Little Bit Longer"
20. Various Artists - "Camp Rock"
2/17/09
KIP WINGER Honored by United States Government And Military
Multi-platinum recording artist, producer and songwriter Kip Winger was recently presented with an honorary plaque and a historic United States of America flag by The Government of the United States. Winger was recognized for his musical composition "Blue Suede Shoes" honoring the service and sacrifice of the United States armed forces and their families.
In a surprise presentation ceremony during the taping of "Legends & Lyrics", General Harold Cross honored and praised Kip for his work on "Winger IV".
The flag has historic significance as it was the last United States of America flag to fly over Forward Operating Base, Kalsu, located in Iskandaria, Iraq, 20 miles south of Baghdad. Before it was turned over to the Iraqis, FOB Kalsu was the U.S. Army soldier's broadband Internet services facility in Iraq as well as a base to stop enemy activity in the Sunni Triangle.
"Winger IV"'s (Shrapnel Records) concept and emphasis was on our military and what it was like to be solider, form a soldiers perspective, leaving politics at the door. Kip had a vision to support the American troops that are standing ground in Iraq and elsewhere. "I had been doing solo shows at military bases and in speaking with many of the soldiers, their stories touched me," explains Kip. "It was amazing to hear how far-reaching our music was and how many soldiers have been moved by it. I was truly humbled by the stories."
The album artwork was handled by Ethan Van Sciver who wanted to put in his part for our military. Sciver is a renowned DC Comics book artist and penciler who has contributed (among others) to Cyberfrog, new X-Men, The Flash: Iron Heights and Impulse. The "Guardian Of Freedom" album art depicts our military's finest protecting with guardian angels that are representative of our prayers we send.
Kip is currently promoting his latest solo CD, "From The Moon To The Sun", on MVD Audio, and the soon-to-be-released "Blackwood Creek" record. He recently completed his first orchestral piece for ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, director of Morphoses Ballet Co., that will be used for San Francisco Ballet. The musical world premier of "Ghosts" will be with the Tucson Symphony on November 14 and 15. Kip and Reb Beach have also just begun writing material for a new WINGER release.
2/10/09
Motley Crue Wows Upgrading Joint at Hard Rock Vegas
Hard Rock smoking The Joint from club to concert-level 4,000 seater
By Misha Lander
Crue takes a final bow at Vegas Hard Rock show
LAS VEGAS (Hollywood Today) 2/9/09 — The Joint, an intimate venue that has hosted rock’s elite since 1995 is, like everything else in the City of Sin, becoming bigger and flashier. Over the next two months, the renovation will triple seating (well, standing) capacity to 4,000 and upgrade the audiovisual system, adding additional screens and including simulcast capabilities.
Saturday night, with a crowd of a few thousand and a stripped down stage show that emphasized the bad boy image cultivated since the band rose to prominence in the Shout of the Devil era in 1985, motorcycles gunned their engines and Motley Crue took the stage to play one last show. Crue played an eclectic variety starting with “Kickstart My Heart” from the more modern Dr. Feelgood era. They then moved into the original classics “Live Wire”, “Shout At The Devil” and “Looks That Kill”, drawing the crowd into a frenzy with Mick Mars impressive guitar solos leading into “Too Fast For Love.”
The crowd roared as they played the well-known songs from their new album “Saints of Los Angeles,” highlighting “Mutherfucker of the Year,” then Crue ended the night with their biggest hits “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Dr. Feelgood.” They closed The Joint with their encore, the power ballad “Home Sweet Home,” one of their best known songs and a song that they were advised never to release, as it would ruin their reputation they had cultivated as hell raisers.
What turned this typical Hollywood garage band into such a phenomenon?
Since their days as a garage band in the early ‘80s, when they released “Too Fast For Love” on their own label Leathur Records, through the release of their most recent “Saints of Los Angeles,” their strongest asset has been the undying loyalty of their fans.
Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars epitomized sex, drugs and rock & roll. They have had their share of trials and tribulations including stints in jail, rehab and Nikki Sixx’s brief two minutes in the afterlife and have made it though older (Tommy Lee, at 46, is the youngest band member) clean, sober and none the worse for the mayhem.
The first line of “Anarchy in the UK” “I’ve been an alley cat, I lived nine lives. I’m like a fine wine, I’m better with time.” couldn’t be more apt. The members of Motley Crue have used up their nine lives and are still going strong.
As always, they put on an excellent show showcasing Vince Neil’s strong vocals and Tommy Lee’s drumming ability and infectious charisma.
At the end of the night, Neil paid homage to the rock royalty that has graced the stage of The Joint over the past 13 years, including Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, The Ramones and Guns ‘N Roses.
The crowd, which included a number of legendary rock performers, sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to Neil. He blew out his candles and the doors of The Joint closed for one last time.
2/09/09
Poison Drummer Rikki Rockett Denies He’s Broke
Poison drummer Rikki Rockeet is selling his Rolex watch on eBay, according to Female First. People can’t help but wonder if he’s broke and needs some cash, but apparently, he’s denying that he’s selling it to pay bills. He told Blabbermouth:
“I decided to sell my 2006 Rolex because I haven’t worn it even once since I got the new one. Besides, I’d prefer to set some of the memories attached to the watch aside. ‘Toss it up on eBay,’ everyone kept telling me. Fine, so I did.
Now I’m all over the crap press with people saying like, ‘Oh, he must be broke!’ and bulls**t like that. Do I have to be on the skids (poor) to sell something? Do I have to keep everything I ever bought or in the public eye I’m going broke?
Geez! I’m far from broke, ya f**kin’ douche bags! I’m just unloading a watch because I ain’t wearin’ the f**kin’ thing!”
2/09/09
PAUL STANLEY promises "classic" KISS record
PAUL STANLEY recently discussed KISS' next album with The New York Post. He tells the paper the band are going old-school this time around, recording it in analog rather than digital. The band are also writing the material themselves. Paul calls it "a Kiss album in the most true and classic sense." For those of you who have lost track, this will be the band's 42nd album.
Stanley is also staying busy with his artwork. He'll show his paintings February 27th and 28th in Hackensack, New Jersey.
2/09/09
Opening for Motley Crue a dream come true for Grand Rapids-area band The Last Vegas
GRAND RAPIDS -- For budding rock stars like The Last Vegas, it doesn't get much better than coming home to play for thousands of fans in Van Andel Arena.
Actually, it does.
Lead singer Chad Cherry and bassist Danny Smash -- who once played in The Nastys, a Grand Rapids glam-rock band -- are just as thrilled that they're opening for Motley Crue, a legendary metal band that has taken the young group under its wing on the road and in the studio.
"I always knew Danny and I could take things to the next level," said Cherry, 27, who attended alternative high school in Kent City. "We walked into this deal (with Motley Crue) and now we're going out on the road with one of the coolest rock 'n' roll bands ever. It's a dream come true. It's awesome."
Together about four years, Chicago's The Last Vegas earned a spot on Motley Crue's Saints of Los Angeles 2009 Winter Tour by winning a band competition sponsored by Guitar Center. The hard-rock band was chosen from six finalists following performances in Los Angeles, this after 30 semifinalists were picked from about 8,000 contest entries.
Bassist Nikki Sixx and the rest of Motley Crue have praised the young band's talent and high-energy performances, with Sixx even working with The Last Vegas in the studio and co-writing a song with Cherry. As part of the contest, the band also won $25,000 cash, Gibson guitar gear and a recording deal with Eleven Seven Music.
"We've been listening to Motley Crue since we were little kids, so you have this huge opinion of them," Cherry said by phone from California, where the group was recording its new album.
"They've put out millions of records, they've toured everywhere, they've been the craziest rock band ever, and you meet them, and they're exactly like us. They're cool guys that just really want to make music."
Cherry even calls the down-to-earth Sixx "the older brother I never had. ... We're like two peas in a pod."
For his part, Sixx said he's impressed "by how much (The Last Vegas) believed in what they were doing, how much they believed in themselves. That's everything in a rock band.
"They were the band, out of all the bands, that just inspired the (bleep) out of me. They have a killer frontman, two great guitar players, great songs, a great rhythm section. ... And God bless 'em, they inspired me."
Tagged by some national media outlets as an up-and-coming, breakthrough band, The Last Vegas -- Cherry, Smash, guitarist Adam Arling, drummer Nathan Arling and guitarist John Wator -- already has released a handful of CDs and EPs. The band will release its next album this spring.
"We've been working so hard at this," Cherry said. "We've been putting our stuff out there for a long time. Now, we're just busting the door off the hinges."
A longtime goal
For Cherry, it represents a longtime goal that began as a small-town kid playing in punk bands.
"It's kind of weird growing up and having these rock-star dreams in the middle of nowhere," he conceded.
Cherry and Smash took the next step by joining local musician Mick Nasty in The Nastys, "a total glam act. We were kind of doing the L.A. thing in Michigan." Cherry later moved to Chicago, and Smash followed suit.
Nasty, who now fronts Mick Nasty and the Confessionals, said he's happy his former bandmates have hit the big time.
"I'm excited for 'em. I've been supporting 'em as much as I can," he said. "They've got a really good business sense about them."
Not surprisingly, The Last Vegas expects a supportive hometown crowd of family and friends at the arena, where it will play a 25-minute opening set, then stage a special after-show concert at The Intersection.
"We're going to take the party to The Intersection and probably get a little wild," Cherry predicted.
Cherry and his bandmates figure they've earned the right to celebrate, considering the long road they've traveled.
"If you believe in what you want to do and you really want to work hard at it, it's going to happen," he insisted. "You've got to follow your gut. You've gotta get your hands dirty and you've gotta scrape your knees. You've gotta walk the low end of the road to get to the high end of the mountain."
2/09/09
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss crowned music’s king and queen
The charming Odd Couple of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss pulled the Grammy Awards out from the uncomfortable shadow of Chris Brown Sunday night.
Plant, the 60-year-old lead singer of the famously decadent rock band Led Zeppelin, and Krauss, 37, an angelic-voiced bluegrass fiddler, left the 51st annual awards with a warm glow by sweeping five awards, including record (single) and album of the year.
Their multiple wins for the bluesy Americana album “Raising Sand” cooled off the hot rock band Coldplay, which still won four awards including song of the year for “Viva La Vida.”
But the show also found itself with an air of unwelcome intrigue when Brown and his fiancé Rihanna dropped out amid reports the L.A. Police Department was investigating him for assaulting a woman some immediately speculated was Rihanna.
There was no mention of this from the stage, or from Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet, as the producers pushed ahead with what has become the world’s longest music video - two dozen performances over three hours and 30 minutes.
Plant and Krauss seemed mildly bemused that their record had won so many awards. Krauss thanked Plant by saying “with Robert, there’s never a dull moment” and Plant said, “In the old days we would have called this selling out. But it’s a nice way to spend a Sunday.”
Krauss’ five Grammys bring her total to 26, tying her for third place on the all-time Grammy list behind Sir Georg Solti and Quincy Jones.
Other multiple winners Sunday night included the dance band Daft Punk, Adele, Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo, John Mayer, Kanye West, Al Green and Peter Gabriel.
Single winners included Bruce Springsteen for the song “Girls In Their Summer Clothes,” 89-year-old Pete Seeger, Natalie Cole and former Vice President Al Gore, for a reading of his “Inconvenient Truth” book.
Adele won for best new artist.
Whitney Houston, whose upcoming comeback album could make her a major player on this stage next year, got a standing ovation when she announced a Grammy for Jennifer Hudson.
Hudson, who sang “You Pulled Me Through,” alluded to the recent murder of her mother, brother and nephew by saying, “I’d like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here tonight.”
The crowd also stood up for Paul McCartney, who performed “I Saw Her Standing There” and then lost the best rock solo vocal Grammy to John Mayer.
1/30/09
Wrestler Soundtrack Snubs Springsteen Title Song
(antiMusic) Koch Records is pimping their soundtrack release for the much hyped movie The Wrestler, but much of the musical focus on the film has been on the title track by Bruce Springsteen. So it was curious to read this line in the press release "The Bruce Springsteen title track will not be a part of the soundtrack but is currently available on his new studio album, 'Working On A Dream.'"
The soundtrack is filled with a lot of tracks from 80s metal and glam bands which can be found on countless compilations already. Perhaps they were cheap to license? Apparently a lot of these tracks were used in scenes from wrestling halls and the strip club and the Ratt songs in the film were by Rat Attack, which is frontman Stephen Pearcy's cover project which also featured George Lynch of Dokken and Tracii Guns of LA Guns on some tracks on a CD release. Who knows if they actually use the original versions on this soundtrack which are in fact credited to Ratt? But another notable song from the film, Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child of Mine" isn't found here either.
But if you don't already own a dozen copies of most of these tracks from other compilation releases, "The Wrestler Soundtrack" is for sale at iTunes and Amazon MP3 with a CD release set for February 24th. Again strange timing since the movie is already out. A cynic might suspect that… we'll let you complete that thought as you gaze at the tracklisting:
"The Wrestler" tracklisting:
01. Quiet Riot - Bang Your Head (Metal Health)
02. Cinderella - Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)
03. Birdman & Lil Wayne - Stuntin' Like My Daddy
04. Firehouse - Don't Walk Away
05. Rhino Bucket - Soundtrack To A War: Welcome To Hell
06. Solomon - Blowin' Up
07. Dead Family - Mirror
08. Ratt - Round And Round
09. Slaughter - Dangerous
10. Ratt - I'm Insane
11. Accept - Balls To The Walls
12. Scorpions - Animal Magnetism
1/30/09
SEBASTIAN BACH TARGETS INTERNET COPYRIGHT
Former SKID ROW frontman SEBASTIAN BACH has hit out at fans who post his music on the internet without permission.
Bach has been in touch with officials at videosharing website YouTube.com in a bid to remove any fan-created content featuring his work.
And the rocker has defended his actions, insisting that the unauthorised use of his music online is damaging his career as an artist.
He writes on his official website, "I know you don't mean any harm in using my music for your videos, but we make our living by making music. No one has the right but us, the musicians, to upload our music to the Internet! If you upload our song to your site, why would someone go buy the CD?
"If I put a CD out or a DVD, and put my name on it, it makes me furious to see it all being given away for free and there is next to nothing I can do about it. No one has intentionally done anything wrong; it's just assumed these days if you make music then it should be free. This does NOT exactly make us all run skip and jump into the studio as quick as we can.
"I would suggest if you want music for your video game videos, learn how to play an instrument, write a song, record it, and use it in your video. Because I have to feed my children and pay my bills with mine."
1/30/09
BRET MICHAELS On Split With PAMELA ANDERSON
During his recent "Dear Superstar" interview with Blender magazine, POISON frontman and "Rock of Love Bus" star Bret Michaels revealed some of the reasons his "very fun, very sexual" early-'90s relationship with Pamela Anderson came to an end. One very big reason, he suspects: Pam's mom.
Michaels says he went out of his way to win over Mrs. Anderson, all to no avail. "One of her mom's favorite bands was the BEACH BOYS, so I called up John Stamos, who played drums occasionally for the band," he reveals. "I said, 'John, can you put the mom on the side of the stage?' So he does — they even let her go out and sing with the BEACH BOYS. The next day, Pamela goes, 'My mom really doesn’t like you very much.' I'm thinking, 'What the fuck?' The mom really didn't like the rocker thing or the way I looked — Pamela had never dated a rocker before. I think that played a big part in the relationship."
1/22/09
VINCE NEIL's Fourth Annual Off The Strip Poker Tournament
1/22/09
VINCE NEIL's Fourth Annual Off The Strip Poker Tournament
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas hosted MOTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil's fourth annual Off The Strip Poker Tournament inside the Poker Lounge on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Celebrities, poker pros and the adult entertainment industry's hottest stars joined Neil for a wildly entertaining No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament, benefiting the Skylar Neil Memorial Fund, an organization which has raised millions to support innovative cancer, leukemia, and AIDS research.
Following the tournament, Vince and others attended a VIP afterparty and live auction in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Wasted Space.
All proceeds from the poker tournament and charity auctions benefit the Skylar Neil Foundation, established in 1995 by Vince to honor his daughter Skylar who passed away from cancer.
1/22/09
The death of the 80's rock star, or; Exactly when did I become so old I watch VH1
by Jyn Radakovits, Chicago Indie Music Examiner
I don’t know the exact day that I started to feel old.
I say this aloud to myself one day in the shower after coming to the realization half the things I watch anymore are on VH1 and the thought kind of irks me.
Nothing against VH1 and their great reality series and coverage of up and coming and indie artists and all, but when exactly did I graduate from the not being able to relate to anything on MTV and suddenly in the that VH1 age?
Like exactly where is that demographic?
When I was growing up VH1 was always the Celine Dione’s and the Fleetwood Mac’s after Stevie Nicks left and all the things that I swore I would rather eat broken glass than try to watch bands. Bands I knew from the tapes that my parents kept in the basement on top of the eight track player and broken duel cassette recorder. I was a child of the 80’s. I still have video tapes I made sitting up all night to edit commercials out of Headbanger’s Ball and remember holding my crappy cassette recorder up to the another radio to tape Metallica and Bon Jovi and Poison songs off the radio making a stack of homemade tapes that you could always hear my mother screaming in the background over the song lyrics.
I was never going to get old, I was never going to stop rocking I decided at like twelve under my Metallica posters. And now it happened to even me. The one that tastes one of my first beers in celebration of my first concert, Motley Crue with my cousin. I was the one that wrote Guns N’ Roses lyrics on my trapper keeper insides. Me, that could put up a three hour argument on how apparently Ozzy was so much better than Black Sabbath although I never really knew any Sabbath songs at the time. The same kid that my goofy friends down the street would dance around the living room to Tesla while trying to make outfits that looked just like what Def Leppard was wearing and tease our hair out until it reached fullness worthy of a Cinderella member.
Maybe I haven’t curbed my edge, even as my rocker gods I worshipped fell off the planet or toned it down over the years, but exactly when did the death of what was known as “the rock star” of my early childhood end exactly?
Where was the pageantry of squeezing oneself into the most ridiculous girl clothes and spandex and the garish makeup we tried to emulate only to come off looking like some sort of crazed transgendered crack heads?
Where were lyrics that were so snotty and rebellious to a teenager that even welcoming one to the jungle or offering a walk on the wild side sounded like secret code to the Hollywood elite?
How were these guitar gods reduced to these saggy images on the screen on rehab shows, and guest on the “Hey Remember who the Hell I used to be?” countdown, and staring in dating shows?
They may not be the rockers they used to be, but damnit, I’ll take that over some of these sissy new rock stars.
I love charity and making the world a better place too but all these new founders are more PETA than rock your face off, more safe sex and drug free than balls to the wall crazy, more “St. Anger” than hotel room destroying.
I interviewed a few fans at a show once asking some of the kids their influences and this one little thing about twelve skipped up to me talking about how she loved old school punk…like Green Day, and Blink 182, and like something she had heard a little about called Sonic Youth and my heart about broke there on the dance floor.
I know some day I’m going to be that 60 year old standing at the bar for the newest band to roll into town and all the kids are going to look at me like I’m nuts with my tattoos showings and most likely some weird haircut and possibly hair color. I’m ok with that.
Perhaps that’s how the rockers of yesteryear deal with their younger firmer competition?
I will never be happy with Skid Row on the oldies station, but you know what, I do see a lot of their influence in the new bands I come across. It’s a great feeling to interview some young thing that actually can say “I got my start because of my older sister handing down The Cure and The Smiths records.” with Ramones stickers on his guitar and a memory of a Van Halen video he saw once on the “old music channel”.
Rock never dies, its just melds with whatever the new trend is. For that kid I saw at last years Bamboozle Fest yelling at the stage during Bret Michaels' “Hey, that’s the guy from Rock of Love!”, hopefully that kid will go home and Google some old gems from my childhood and find out why our school dance committee all got detention for playing “Talk Dirty to Me”.
Fashion seems to be steering back to the 80’s at the moment so maybe there is some hope for leather and lace again after all.
Learn what you can new rockers and bring it back old school because your elders had it right.
As for me and my not quite thirty year old friends that would much rather text message insight from the most recent Rock of Love Bus, than watch The Hills, I think we are going to be ok.
Just don’t tell anyone how much VH1 we actually watch. If anyone asks, I’m totally down with what is it called? You kids and your MTV programs that us old folks can’t keep track of…
1/14/09
POISON And DEF LEPPARD To Team Up For Summer Tour
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POISON frontman Bret Michaels has confirmed that his band is in talks to tour with DEF LEPPARD later in the year. Speaking to CNN about his upcoming activities, Michaels said, "I've got a huge announcement, which actually just happened this morning. DEF LEPPARD and POISON are gonna go out on the road this summer. And the reason that's exciting for me [is] I know it will be the rock tour this summer. POISON and DEF LEPPARD, with all those big hits, being out there, we put out a great show, we've got a huge fanbase, but the one thing the fans get, we always keep the ticket prices down and deliver an absolutely awesome, kick-ass rock show. And I look forward to it, because I'm still a fan of music — I'm very passionate about the music I make — and when you can be out on the road with people you like — I've been able to go out with AEROSMITH, KISS, SKYNYRD — and to be out with DEF LEPPARD and POISON this summer, I think that it's gonna be the tour of the summer."
The announcement of a possible tour featuring POISON and DEF LEPPARD will undoubtely come as a surprise to most fans of the two heavyweight rock acts, both of whom have continued to do good business on the road despite the fact their most recent studio albums have failed to light up the charts.
Last summer, POISON was involved in a war of words with DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott over Elliott's comments at a June 2008 press conference at the Sweden Rock Festival, in which Joe said bands like POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE had "no substance in their music" and therefore relied more on their image in the '80s. Michaels held his own press conference the next day and responded to Elliott's comments, saying, "We have not sold out, and continuously, for 20 years every arena because we care about just our appearance. The music comes first." He then added, "(DEF LEPPARD) shouldn't be knocking anyone about their music since they just did a show called 'Dancing With The Stars' in the U.S. and they got crucified because they fucking lip-synched the entire show, so before they bust anyone's balls, I've never lip-synched a fucking thing in my life — ever! It's the pot calling the kettle black."
In a July 18, 2008 message posted at DEF LEPPARD's official web site, Elliott explained his original remarks by saying, "I was simply making the following simple point when I said a lot of those Hollywood bands weren't 'real' (or whatever I said)... I was born Joseph Elliott, Sav was born Richard Savage, Rick was born Richard Allen, Phil was born Philip Collen, Viv was born Vivian Campbell, and oh, Steve was born Stephen Clark. I don't think anyone in POISON uses their real name, do they? And I could name hundreds of others who don't, but POISON came to mind because I was asked about them! It's nothing personal, it was just an answer to a question."
Video footage of Elliott's original comment and Bret's response can be viewed below.
1/14/09
MOTLEY CRÜE's NIKKI SIXX Signs Publishing Deal With DOWNTOWN MUSIC
MOTLEY CRÜE co-founder Nikki Sixx has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Downtown Music Publishing.
Downtown will serve as the worldwide publishing administrator for Sixx's complete song catalogue, including MÖTLEY CRÜE singles "Shout At The Devil" and "Girls Girls Girls".
The new partnership with Downtown also includes exclusive sync rights to the original MÖTLEY CRÜE master recording catalogue.
Downtown has also entered into a master-use sync licensing agreement with Eleven Seven Music, of which Sixx is president. In addition to all of the original MÖTLEY CRÜE masters, the label's catalogue includes releases by artists such as SIXX: A.M., TRAPT and DROWNING POOL.
"We are extremely honored to represent the songs of Nikki Sixx, one of the greatest rock songwriters of our generation," says Downtown Music president Justin Kalifowitz.
"Through this innovative partnership, Nikki's publishing copyrights and MÖTLEY's master recordings will now be marketed and promoted in lock-step. Combined with Eleven Seven's premier roster, we can now offer the licensing community a destination for the best in both iconic and contemporary rock music."
Sixx adds, "In a time of industry consolidation, signing with a boutique publisher who can focus on thousands of songs instead of millions is just smart business."
1/8/09
Rock of Love Bus’ Scores for VH1 in Debut
VH1’s season premiere of the dating competition “Rock of Love Bus With Bret Michaels” debuted with a 1.4 rating among viewers 18-49, drawing 2.1 million total viewers on Jan. 4 at 9 p.m.
The debut came in as the highest-rated season opener for VH1 since “Flavor of Love 3’s” premiere last February, and also ranked among the top five shows on cable for the day.
Sunday night the network also premiered “Rock of Love Charm School Reunion,” which pulled a 0.8 rating at 7 p.m., drawing 1.4 million viewers. “Confessions of a Teen Idol” posted a 0.6 rating in the demographic at 8 p.m., doubling the network’s average rating for the time period.
The final hour of the “100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs,” hosted by Mr. Michaels, averaged a 0.9 rating and 1.4 million total viewers on Jan. 2 at 10 p.m.
1/8/09
Tommy Lee reveals Crue's stripping rule
Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee has implemented a new rule for anyone entering the rock band's dressing room.
The 46-year-old told Playboy that he will allow people backstage on the proviso that they shed a layer of clothing.
"You must remove one article of clothing - your pants, your top - or else you are not allowed in my dressing room," he said. "That gets the f**king party started so quick. Everyone's walking around topless."
Motley Crue released ninth studio album Saints Of Los Angeles last summer. It is the first record to feature the group's original lineup since 1997's Generation Swine.
1/8/09
Metallica drummer wants to play with reunited Deep Purple
Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has told Classic Rock magazine that he'd love the chance to play with one of Deep Purple's best-known lineups if the band chooses to reunite. Known as the "Mark III" version of Purple, singer David Coverdale, bassist Glenn Hughes, and keyboard player Jon Lord have reportedly been in discussions about a reunion tour, with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore possibly involved as well.
With drummer Ian Paice still on the road with the current version of Purple, Ulrich has offered his services, saying, "I know there's talk about the fact that if they got Coverdale, Hughes, Lord and Blackmore together, they would have four members who aren't in the current Deep Purple -- then they just need a drummer. I'll volunteer myself for that. If they need a drummer, David Coverdale has my number."
In separate interviews in the February edition of Classic Rock, Coverdale, Hughes, and Lord all hint that they'd be interested in a tour.
Ulrich's only Purple-related live performance to date came in September 2006, when he played "Smoke On The Water" at a solo show by current Purple frontman Ian Gillan in San Francisco.
12/31/08
KIP WINGER Says LARS ULRICH Is 'Not Really That Talented'
WINGER frontman Kip Winger was recently interviewed by rock and roll comic C.C. Banana. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
C.C. Banana: In 2005 you were a featured artist on the VH1 Metal Mania Stripped Across America Tour, along with DON DOKKEN, STEPHEN PEARCY and FIREHOUSE. Jani Lane was also on the bill, but he ended up missing a bunch of shows and having a few well-publicized onstage meltdowns. Tell us what it was like dealing with a liability like that on tour?
Kip Winger: Poor Jani. That's a sad story, man. Jani is such a talented guy but he just can't seem to keep it together. He's a good performer, a good singer and a good songwriter, but he is also proof positive that drugs and alcohol will lead you to Hell. He'd be on stage and after three songs he'd throw the mic down and say, "Fuck this shit, I'm out of here!" To me, that's cardinal sin #1. The show must go on, baby! We finally had to throw him off the bus. We actually made him ride in the van! When he's straight, he's a sweetheart of a guy. It's all because of the drugs and alcohol, man. Just stay away from that stuff! Even Nikki Sixx will tell you that.
C.C. Banana: Have you ever thrown darts at a photo of Lars Ulrich?
Kip Winger: I've never done that. I really never had anything against the guy. In fact, when I first heard METALLICA's "black" album, I thought it was a really cool record... and then they just started taking shots at me, for whatever reason. But it's okay, Lars is not really that talented. He's got a lot of fucking money, though, so I'm sure he's happy. I actually felt sorry for him when I saw that "Some Kind of Monster" documentary. He was sitting there next to his dad, just seething with unmoved emotion over things that were still unresolved. It was really kind of sad to watch. But I do like METALLICA, they're a good band.
C.C. Banana: Do you have any other topics you'd care to address, Kip?
Kip Winger: Yeah, I just want to say that I read what Joe Elliott [DEF LEPPARD] said, slagging off bands like POISON and WINGER. I've gotten used to being the punching bag, I take it all! But POISON is really good live and Bret Michaels' own response to Joe was awesome. I also love DEF LEPPARD and I think they're a great band. But if Joe Elliott wants to meet me at an L.A. club of his choice with an acoustic guitar, leave the Pro Tools at home and I'll open up a can of whoop-ass on him!
12/31/08
The HDNet Concert Series Kicks Off 2009 With 'Bon Jovi - Live From Nokia Theatre in Times Square'
New Jersey rock legends premiere on HDNet at midnight ET, Wednesday, December 31 with a special encore presentation at midnight PT
DALLAS, Dec. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The HDNet Concert series rings in the New Year tomorrow night with "Bon Jovi - Live from Nokia Theatre in Times Square." The concert premieres at midnight ET, with a special encore at 3:00 a.m. ET - just when the New Year arrives on the West Coast.
The concert airs as part of the "Best of HDNet Concert Series Marathon" featuring twenty-four hours of concerts beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET New Year's Eve and ending at 8:00 p.m. ET New Year's Day.
Bon Jovi was the first band to perform at the Nokia Theatre Times Square, celebrating the release of the "Have A Nice Day" album. The band's career has spanned more than twenty years with albums such as "Slippery When Wet," "New Jersey," and "Crush."
"Have A Nice Day," the band's ninth studio album, topped the charts around the world, and gave the band its career-best first week sales of over 202,000 albums.
Bon Jovi also became the first rock 'n roll band to have a number one hit on Billboard's Hot Country chart with the song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home." The song also won a Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals."
The band, helmed by charismatic lead singer, Jon Bon Jovi, also features guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres performing their hits "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Livin' on a Prayer," "It's My Life," and "Wanted Dead or Alive" for a capacity crowd at the Nokia Theatre.
While still a theatre setting, the Nokia delivers the feel of a club because of the multiple balconies that hug the stage, allowing more patrons close to the stage than at conventional theaters.
Don't miss these legends of rock in this intimate setting! "Bon Jovi - Live from Nokia Theatre Times Square" premieres on HDNet tomorrow, December 31 at midnight ET with an encore at 3:00 a.m. ET/12:00 a.m. PT.
12/31/08
NEW Nickleback video "Gotta Be Somebody"
12/31/08
Bret Michaels "pretty sure" 'Bus' will be his last ''Rock of Love' edition
VH1's upcoming Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels may be the last stop for the former Poison frontman's reality dating show.
Although he wouldn't reveal whether he finally found lasting love on Rock of Love's third installment, Michaels told the New York Daily News that he is "pretty sure" that Rock of Love Bus -- which was filmed this fall and premieres on January 4 at 9PM ET/PT -- will be his last edition of the reality dating show.
"I can never say never, but I'm pretty sure that this kind of show is it for me," Michaels told the Daily News.
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However, while additional reality dating shows are probably not a part of his future, that doesn't mean Michaels is ready to swear off reality TV entirely. Instead, he says that he's now interested in doing a docu-reality series that would follow him throughout his everyday life.
"I'd like to do a hybrid of it where you come into my real life a little more, like a mixture of Rock of Love and Gene Simmons Family Jewels," Michaels said. "I think the ups and downs and sideways of my life would be really interesting for people to see."
While contemplating changing the show's format, Michaels said he was still pleased with Rock of Love's third edition, which takes place entirely on the road as separate groups of blonde and brunette girls follow Michaels' tour bus in two buses and take part in challenges based on Michaels' road experiences.
"Immediately, the entertainment value and the nuttiness was on level 10," Michaels told the Daily News about Rock of Love Bus. "I didn't want my life, or the show, to become predictable, because what is great about dating and makes a dating reality show fun is the unpredictability of it all. This kept me on my toes."
Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels was picked up by VH1 in July after Michaels split with Ambre Lake, the winner of Rock of Love with Bret Michaels' second season.
Rock of Love's first season ended with Michaels choosing Jes Rickleff, however once she returned home to Chicago Rickleff reportedly called Michaels and told she was ending their relationship because she had fallen in love with a clothing designer.
12/31/08
Did Planned X Rating Kill The Motley Crue Film? - 08 Rewind
Did Planned X Rating Kill The Motley Crue Film? was a top story for October. Enjoy our 2008 news rewind as you read the story again:(Metal Underground) Writer/Director Larry Charles who has worked on such films and shows such as Borat, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld has spoken recently about the proposed Motley Crue movie and his feelings on the band themselves.
"The Motley Crue thing I was really into and I did a lot of work on it," Charles says. "I wrote a pass on the script and everything, but it was at MTV Films which then got swallowed by Paramount Vantage which then got swallowed by Paramount. All those people were gone that developed it and it got put to the side, so I don't know what's going to happen to it. Also my thing about that which was that I felt it had to be an NC-17 [equal to an X rating] movie, and I thought, 'Well that would be ballsy to do. When was the last time they had a mainstream NC-17 movie?' That'd be a good idea."
"I don't know if you've read the book, but it's really a great read," he continued. "Do you know Neil Strauss at all? He used to work for The New York Times as their pop critic, he wrote the book and he's a really good writer. It's so much better than they deserve, the book, because Motley Crüe is a crappy band but he wrote a really epic book about them. It's really fascinating. What's good about it is how hardcore it is. They've killed people, they've hurt people, they've crippled people, they've done all kinds of crazy things. You'd have to show that for real and I think there was a little bit of reticence about doing that ultimately. But for me, I would do it if it could be done the proper way. If it's going to be sanitized then they don't need me to do it. They could find somebody else to do that.
12/18/08
BRET MICHAELS: 'I'm Not A Sleazy Bachelor'
POISON frontman Bret Michaels recently spoke to the Sacramento Bee about the next installment of his VH1 series, "Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels", premiering Jan. 4, which takes the show on the road.
"All of the other times on television, like on 'Don't Forget the Lyrics' and 'Nashville Star', I'm Bret Michaels of POISON, and in sitcoms like 'Yes, Dear' I'm somebody else. Now, with 'Rock of Love', I'm me, not playing some real estate agent, but enjoying what I do, like motocross, Harleys, deep-sea fishing."
Michaels has failed to find lasting love twice now, and some speculate that as long as the show remains a ratings hit he will continue to do so.
"I'm not a sleazy bachelor," he says. "I look at myself as a very fun guy. I'm respectful to the women. I might actually be the voice of reason, and for a rocker like me to be the voice of reason is really a frightening thought. It's fun. We have good times.
"I'm going through the dating process and I'm not necessarily a great dater. I've been in a band since I was 17. I've never had a long-term relationship. I've just had one-night stands, mostly. I haven't experienced the whole dinner, movie, dinner again, meet the parents thing.
"I like doing the things with the girls we do, the dirt biking, the mud football and the ice skating. I don't like the girls to get hurt. I'm not into pain."
12/18/08
Vince Neil & Friends Shuffle Up And Deal For Strip Poker Tournament
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will host Vince Neil's 4th Annual Off The Strip Poker Tournament inside The Poker Lounge on Saturday, January 17, 2009. Celebrities and Poker Pros will join Neil for a wildly entertaining No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, benefiting The Skylar Neil Memorial Fund, an organization which has raised millions to support innovative cancer, leukemia, and AIDS research.
Seating for the tournament is limited to the first 150 entrants. The tournament buy-in is $500, plus a $50 registration fee. Re-buys and an add-on will be offered during play. Players will vie for a guaranteed cash prize pool of $50,000, and payouts will be made to the final table of ten.
Participants and members of the public are invited to visit Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's new ‘Poker Lounge' throughout the day to bid on an amazing collection of unique memorabilia from the worlds of music, sports and entertainment, up for silent auction. Beginning at 3:00pm, Vince will join adult film superstars, poker greats and Hollywood celebrities for our cocktail welcome reception. Tournament play will then commence at 4:00pm.
Following the tournament, go 'back stage' with Vince and others at the VIP After Party in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Wasted Space. Bid on one of a kind items at the live auction including some of Vince's personal gear and memorabilia. Access to the VIP After Party requires a donation to The Skylar Neil Foundation of $100.00 (for non-tournament players) and space is limited.
All proceeds from the poker tournament and charity auctions will benefit The Skylar Neil Foundation, established in 1995 by Vince to honor his daughter Skylar who passed away from cancer.
Tournament pre-registration is strongly encouraged, and VIP After Party reservations are required. Please visit http://poker.skylarneil.org for additional information.
Mötley Crüe returns to Las Vegas as part of their Saints of Los Angeles 2008 Tour on February 6 and 7 at The Joint At The Hard Rock Hotel with special guests Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and The Last Vegas. Tickets for the tour can be purchased at www.motley.com.
12/18/08
GUNS N' ROSES: 'Chinese Democracy' Barely Hanging In U.S. Top 30
GUNS N' ROSES' new album, "Chinese Democracy", sold 47,000 copies in the United States in its third week of release to land at position No. 29 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD has shifted 365,000 units since it was released on November 23 as a Best Buy exclusive after a wait of more than 15 years.
Following his two question-and-answer sessions on GUNS N' ROSES fan boards late last week, singer W. Axl Rose has responded to further questions about the breakup of the original lineup and other issues in a lengthy, nearly 5,000-word post at MyGNRForum.com. In the post, Rose gives his side of the story, in sometimes hard-to-follow fashion, regarding how he came to own the band name, why all the other original members left the group and whether it's right for him to keep using the name when he's the only founding member left.
Rose seems to lay most of the blame for the years of turmoil in the GUNS camp at the feet of former guitarist Slash. Discussing a famous incident in which Slash said that Rose refused to go onstage for a show unless the rest of the band signed over the name to him, Rose writes, "Never happened, all made up, fallacy and fantasy. Not one single solitary thread of truth to it. Had that been the case I would've have been cremated years ago legally, could've cleaned me out for the name and damages."
In other excerpts, Rose addresses Slash's contention that the earliest recording sessions for what ultimately became the new GUNS N' ROSES album, "Chinese Democracy", were stopped because of musical differences. Rose says, "I have the rehearsal tapes. There's nothing but Slash-based blues rock and he stopped it to both go solo and try to completely take over GUNS ... I was specifically told no lyrics, no melodies, no changes to anything and to sing what I was told or fuck off."
When asked why he still uses the GUNS name, Rose replies, "I'm literally the last man standing. Not bragging, not proud. It's been a fucking nightmare, but I didn't leave GUNS and I didn't drive others out ... I'm supposed to throw the baby out with the bath water?"
As for the notion of releasing "Chinese Democracy", which came out after 17 years last month, as a solo record instead of a GUNS album, Rose writes, "This is who I am ... I don't see myself as solely GUNS, but I do see myself as the only one from the past making the effort to take it forward."
Responding to whether the original GUNS would reunite if it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rose says, "Not to offend anyone but personally I don't have an interest ... It's a ways away and seems a bit presumptuous to be contemplating being inducted now."
In other news, Kevin Cogill, who was arrested in August for allegedly leaking nine tracks from the then-unreleased "Chinese Democracy" album online through his blog, pleaded guilty violating federal copyright laws in a Los Angeles court on Monday (December 15). According to the Associated Press, Cogill's plea deal requires him to cooperate with investigators and may lead to a sentence of up to a year in federal prison, probation and a large fine.
12/18/08
Mötley Crüe tour starts in Indio
Last year Mötley Crüe brought the inaugural edition of Crüe Fest to Devore and now the rock band is launching its Saints of Los Angeles tour in Indio at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's Special Events Center on Jan. 31.
Mötley Crüe is one of the most notorious bands in rock 'n' roll, exploding from the Sunset Strip scene in LA in the early '80s and having celebrated a debauchery-filled lifestyle in its music and off the stage. Along the way, the band has sold millions of records.
Singer Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee have had mega-hits with songs such as "Dr. Feelgood," "Home Sweet Home," "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Kickstart My Heart."
The band released "Saints of Los Angeles," an album based on its best-selling book "The Dirt," earlier this year before kicking off what members promised to be an annual touring rock 'n' roll festival called Crüe Fest.
Tickets for the Fantasy Springs show are $69, $79, $89 and $109 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
They can be purchased at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office or by calling 760-342-5000. Tickets can also be bought online at www.tickets.com or www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
12/07/08
Do You Want To Sleep In BRET MICHAELS' Bed?
POISON singer Bret Michaels' bed frame — as seen on MTV's "Cribs" program — is up for auction at his official web site. Linens, pillows and mattress are not included.
Michaels was featured on MTV's "Cribs" twice — in a 2001 episode showing his 10-acre Los Angeles ranch, and again in January 2008 where he showcased his Arizona abode.
The Arizona property, which boasts 10 acres, features a motor cross track, guest quarters, stunning city views and a main hallway long enough for the singer to ride his custom American IronHorse chopper in the house.
Michaels' Los Angeles ranch was featured in MTV's book "MTV's Cribs, A Guided Tour Inside The Homes Of Your Favorite Stars".
12/07/08
MÖTLEY CRÜE's Zippers Are At 'Half Mast' Following Strip Club Fire
According to the Los Angeles Times, faulty electric wiring seems to have been the source of the fire that burned on Wednesday (December 3) through the roof of The Body Shop, a landmark Sunset Boulevard strip club best known as the location for the video of MÖTLEY CRÜE's hit "Girls, Girls, Girls" (see below).
Upon hearing this, CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee e-mailed his band mates, "Let's put our zippers at half mast!"
The Body Shop, billing itself as the longest-running strip club in Los Angeles, is one of several clubs mentioned in "Girls, Girls, Girls", the 1980s MÖTLEY CRÜE anthem to the strip clubs of America.
12/07/08
GUNS N' ROSES: 'Chinese Democracy' To Drop Out Of U.S. Top 10
According to Hits Daily Double, the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS, GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy", will drop out of the Billboard Top 10 next week with second-week U.S. sales that are expected to fall below the 80,000 mark.
"Chinese Democracy" sold 261,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release (including a reported 25,000 downloads at iTunes on November 23 not counted towards the opening week) to debut at position No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart — right behind TAYLOR SWIFT's "Fearless" at No. 2 (with 267,400 sold) and KANYE WEST's "808s & Heartbreak", which opens at No. 1 with sales of 450,000 and change.
According to Billboard.biz, "Chinese Democracy" topped the European Top 100 Albums chart this past week after making a series of notable debuts in European markets. That includes only one No. 1 debut, in Switzerland, but the album secures a second week at the helm in Finland and debuts at No.2 in the United Kingdom (on 119,000 sales) and Germany, No. 3 in Italy, Austria and Ireland, No. 4 in Holland, Sweden and Hungary and No. 9 in Portugal. The comeback release also climbs 5-2 in Norway and 26-10 in France.
Only singer Axl Rose remains in the current GUNS roster, having taken some 15 years to complete "Chinese Democracy" with a revolving cast of musicians.
As previously reported, "Chinese Democracy" looks set to drop out of the UK Top 5 this Sunday (December 6) based on the midweek figures released by Music Week. The CD debuted at No. 2 in the UK after failing to outsell "Day & Age", the latest album from Las Vegas rock group THE KILLERS.
11/30/08
New Video:Twisted Sister with Lita Ford "I'll Be Home For Christmas"
11/30/08
DVD REVIEW "Twisted Sister Live at the Astoria"
The Movie:
When Twisted Sister returned to play London, England in 2004 after not having graced those shores for over eighteen years, cameras were there to record the show for a pay per view event. The results? The aptly titled Twisted Sister - Live At The Astoria DVD, from Demolition Records.
Made up of all five members from the band's best known line up - Dee Snider, Jay Jay French, Mark 'The Animal' Mendoza, A.J. Pero and Eddie Ojeda - this concert proves that while the band is probably best known for their eighties hits like 'We're Not Gonna Take It' and 'You Can't Stop Rock N Roll' they're still a powerful live act, even if they're all into their fifties now. From the time they take the stage and open up with a fast and heavy rendition of 'What You Don't Know' to the time they walk of the stage after a tireless an anthemic rendition of 'S.M.F.' this concert serves as an excellent document of just how good a live act they are.
They've long dubbed themselves 'the world's biggest bar band' and that's as good a way as any to explain their live style. While they may still perform in full make-up and Dee Snider may be more than just a little over the top, live this is a band that completely delivers. The album versions of the songs performed here are heavy enough in their own right but live the band plays them faster and Dee's vocals have a lot more strength and conviction to them. The guitars are faster, the bass is chunkier, and the drums are faster and the hard rock/heavy metal sound that the band is known for is almost more akin to late seventies era punk rock or Motorhead style crossover than eighties hair metal.
Snider, who still has an imposing presence when on stage in the full make up with his hair flailing around, does a great job of acknowledging the crowd and keeping them into the show. He and French both have a few amusing rants that they deliver throughout the set to keep things interesting, while during the songs themselves Snider whips and thrashes around like a man half his age. It's interesting that the UK holds a special place in the band's hearts - had they not decided to head to London and play live on The Tube they would have probably called it quits before commercial success came knocking on their doors, and the band lets the crowd know how much they appreciate that with their stage banter.
While the band is on fire here, sadly the camera work could have been better. It looks like three or four cameras were used to capture the show but there are some questionable switches made here from one camera to the next and the end result is that the editing feels a little on the choppy side, but this is a minor complaint, really.
The track list for the concert is:
What You Don't Know (Sure Can't Hurt You) / The Kids Are Back / Under The Blade / Destroyer / Like A Knife In The Back / Burn In Hell / Ride To Live / Shoot'em Down / You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll / The Fire Still Burns / We're Not Gonna Take It / The Price / I Am, I'm Me / I Wanna Rock / Come Out And Play / S.M.F.
The Video:
The concert is presented 1.33.1 fullframe, which is how it was shot for standard definition television broadcast in the United Kingdom. This doesn't have the depth or clarity that a film presentation or a good HD presentation can have but for a standard definition video source, things don't look too bad at all. Colors are lifelike and detail is pretty strong even when the heavy stage lighting bathes things in different color (Burn In Hell is a good example of this - the entire stage gets bathed in red light). Aside from that, the black levels are strong and there aren't any problems with mpeg compression artifacts or edge enhancement to complain about. At times the picture is a little bit on the soft side but other than that the image is fine.
The Audio:
The only audio option on this release is an English language Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo track. While a 5.1 surround sound track would certainly have been preferable, there aren't any problems with the stereo mix here. Bass response is strong and the levels are all well mixed. You won't have any problem understanding the lyrics to the songs or following along with the various 'band members talk to the crowd' moments that occur throughout the concert, most of which come from Dee himself. There aren't any problems with hiss or distortion and generally everything sounds quite good.
The Extras:
Aside from a menu and song selection sub-menu, the DVD itself is completely barebones. That said, included inside the packaging is a bonus audio CD that contains the same tracks as the DVD.
The Overall:
Twisted Sister - Live At The Astoria may not capture the band in their prime but you'd never know it based on the energy and quality of the performance captured here. While the audio and video won't floor you they're certainly acceptable and the music really does speak for itself. Fans of the band can definitely consider this recommended.
Ian lives in NYC with his girlfriend where he writes for DVD Talk and for AV Maniacs. He spends a lot of time wandering around exploring and generally wondering what to do with himself.
11/30/08
Vince Neil: 'Roses won't be US No. 1'
Motley Crue have tipped Guns N' Roses to lose out to Kanye West in the album battle for US number one.
West's latest album 808s And Heartbreak is currently outselling Guns N' Roses LP Chinese Democracy, the band's first album since 1993.
Motley Crue's lead singer Vince Neil told MTV: "The thing about Guns N' Roses is, it's not really Guns N' Roses. If Slash and Duff were still in it, I'd be a little more excited.
"Hopefully, it's a good album. I hope it's worth it, because they spent a lot of money and a lot of time on it. I like to record in two weeks, so I never second-guess myself."
Guns N' Roses were forced to delay the album's release as a result of personal problems and lineup changes.
11/30/08
Guns N' Roses lawyer blasts Dr Pepper
By Andre Paine
LONDON (Billboard) - The lawyer for Guns N' Roses and Axl Rose has castigated Dr Pepper, accusing the soda maker of failing to deliver on its promotion to offer free soda in celebration of the band's new album, "Chinese Democracy." Guns N' Roses was never involved in the campaign.
Beverly Hills-based Alan Gutman has written to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. president and CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of operating an online redemption scheme that was an "unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers."
Band frontman Rose did not take any action when, in March, Dr Pepper put out a press release offering free soda to any American if the long-awaited Guns N' Roses album came out before the end of 2008. However, Rose has reacted to the news that fans have been unable to get their soda since the November 23 release of "Chinese Democracy."
Gutman is demanding that Dr Pepper makes good on its offer by extending the period for the offer; he also wants full-page apologies in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal.
Gutman's letter makes clear his view that the original campaign was an "exploitation of my clients' legendary reputation and their eagerly awaited album" and "brazenly violated our clients' rights." He is also seeking an "appropriate payment ... for the unauthorized use and abuse of their publicity and intellectual property rights," with the threat of further action if an acceptable offer is not made.
"Now is the time to clean up the mess," Gutman says.
Dr Pepper's Web servers crashed under the demand for coupons that could be exchanged for free drinks. Dr Pepper extended the November 23 promotion for an extra day, but the company's Web site was inaccessible for a substantial part of it. "Dr Pepper was completely unprepared for the traffic to its site," Gutman says in the letter, describing the promotion as a "complete fiasco."
Gutman adds, "The entire point of your campaign has been to use public interest in Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses as a lure to increase consumer awareness of Dr Pepper." He further states that "mocking undertones" in the online promotional content represent a "raw and damaging commercial exploitation of our clients' rights," adding that the association is "even more damaging in light of your shoddy execution of your disingenuous giveaway offer."
The soda maker declined to comment. Dr Pepper was considering extending the promotion, according to a source close to the situation.
11/22/08
Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese democracy' Rolling Stone review
4 Stars out of 5
Let's get right to it: The first Guns n' Roses album of new, original songs since the first Bush administration is a great, audacious, unhinged and uncompromising hard-rock record. In other words, it sounds a lot like the Guns n' Roses you know. At times, it's the clenched-fist five that made 1987's perfect storm, Appetite for Destruction; more often, it's the one sprawled across the maxed-out CDs of 1991's Use Your Illusion I and II, but here compressed into a convulsive single disc of supershred guitars, orchestral fanfares, hip-hop electronics, metallic tabernacle choirs and Axl Rose's still-virile, rusted-siren singing.
If Rose ever had a moment's doubt or repentance over what Chinese Democracy has cost him in time (13 years), money (14 studios are listed in the credits) and body count — including the exit of every other founding member of the band — he left no room for it in these 14 songs. "I bet you think I'm doin' this all for my health," Rose cracks through the saturation-bombing guitars in "I.R.S.," one of several glancing references on the album to what he knows a lot of people think of him: that Rose, now 46, has spent the last third of his life running off the rails, in half-light. But when he snaps, "All things are possible/I am unstoppable," in the thumper "Scraped," that's not loony hubris — just a good old rock & roll "fuck you," the kind that made him and the old band hot and famous in the first place.
Something else Rose broadcasts over and over on Chinese Democracy: Restraint is for suckers. There is plenty of familiar guitar firepower — the stabbing-dagger lick that opens the first track, "Chinese Democracy," the sand-devil fuzz in "Riad N' the Bedouins" and the looping squeals over the grand anguish of "Street of Dreams." But what Slash and Izzy Stradlin used to do with two guitars now takes a wall of 'em. On some tracks, Rose has up to five guys — Robin Finck, Buckethead, Paul Tobias, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Richard Fortus — riffing and soloing in broad, saw-toothed blurs. And that's no drag. I still think the wild, superstuffed "Oh My God" — the early Chinese Democracy track wasted on the 1999 End of Days soundtrack — beats everything on Guns n' Roses' 1993 covers album, The Spaghetti Incident?
Most of these songs also go through multiple U-turns in personality, as if Rose kept trying new approaches to a hook or a bridge and then decided, "What the hell, they're all cool." "Better" starts with what sounds like hip-hop voicemail — severely pinched guitar, drum machine and a near-falsetto Rose ("No one ever told me when/I was alone/They just thought I'd know better") — before blowing up into vintage Sunset Strip wallop. "If the World" has Buckethead plucking acoustic Spanish guitar over a blaxploitation-film groove, while Rose shows that he still holds a long-breath vowel — part torture victim, part screaming jet — like no other rock singer.
And there is so much going on in "There Was a Time" — strings and Mellotron, a full-strength choir and Rose's overdubbed sour-growl harmonies, wah-wah guitar and a false ending (more choir) — that it's easy to believe Rose spent most of the past decade on that arrangement alone. But it is never a mess, more like a loud mass of bad memories and hard lessons. In the first lines, Rose goes back to a beginning much like his own — "Broken glass and cigarettes/ Writin' on the wall/It was a bargain for the summer/An' I thought I had it all" — then piles on the wreckage along with the orchestra and guitars. By the end, it's one big melt of missing and kiss-off ("If I could go back in time . . . But I don't want to know it now"). If this is the Guns n' Roses that Rose kept hearing in his head all this time, it is obvious why two guitars, bass and drums were never going to be enough.
It is plain, too, that he thinks this Guns n' Roses is a band, as much as the one that recorded "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Used to Love Her" and "Civil War." The voluminous credits that come with Chinese Democracy certainly give detailed credit where it is due. My favorite: "Initial arrangement suggestions: Youth on 'Madagascar." Rose takes the big one — "Lyrics N' Melodies by Axl Rose" — but shares full-song bylines with other players on all but one track. Bassist Tommy Stinson plays on nearly every song, and keyboardist Dizzy Reed, the only survivor from the Illusion lineup, does the Elton John-style piano honors on "Street of Dreams."
But Rose still sings a lot about the power of sheer, solitary will even when he throws himself into a bigger fight, like "Chinese Democracy." In "Madagascar," which Rose has played live for several years now, he samples both Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech and dialogue from Cool Hand Luke. And at the end of the album, on the bluntly titled "Prostitute," Rose veers from an almost conversational tenor, over a ticking-bomb shuffle, to five-guitar barrage, orchestral lightning and righteous howl: "Ask yourself/Why I would choose/To prostitute myself/To live with fortune and shame." To him, the long march to Chinese Democracy was not about paranoia and control. It was about saying "I won't" when everyone else insisted, "You must." You may debate whether any rock record is worth that extreme self-indulgence. Actually, the most rock & roll thing about Chinese Democracy is he doesn't care if you do.
11/22/08
Check out a track from the excellent new Nickleback album produced by Mutt Lange
Burn It To The Ground
11/22/08
Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' breaks MySpace record
Guns N Roses new album 'Chinese Democracy' has broken all records after being streamed on MySpace.
The album received around 25 listens a second up until today (November 21) after being streamed in full on the site yesterday (November 20).
Up until 4pm (GMT) today the title track had been played over 826,000 times, with the total amount of plays all the album tracks have received adding up to over 3 million.
The figures mean an average of 25 people per second were listening to one of the songs on the album at MySpace.com/gunsnroses.
The data means that the streaming of the album, dubbed a "listening party", has attracted the largest amount of listeners for an artist album stream launch on the site to date.
11/16/08
Bon Jovi Writing New Songs For Hits Set
With the final leg of Bon Jovi's "Lost Highway" tour completed, guitarist Richie Sambora tells Billboard.com the New Jersey rock act is looking ahead to plenty of new projects.
"We've been filming a documentary and are in the process of mixing a live DVD of last year's 'Lost Highway' concert tour," Sambora says. "Also, I think we're looking at doing a greatest hits album next year. Jon and I are writing some new songs for it and to just load up for the next Bon Jovi record."
Sambora says he expects the DVD and best-of effort to be packaged together for a fall 2009 street date. The Nashville-tinged "Lost Highway" was a critical and commercial success, but Sambora says the band won't necessarily return to that style again.
"No, we have to change," he says. "We have to do something different. I don't know what that's going to be. As we get into the writing process and continue on, we'll see what that's going to look like. I think it comes to stylistically what songs you're writing. What kind of music is coming out of you, and what's the mood of those songs. You have to color those little drawings with the right production value and the right music."
Outside of Bon Jovi, Sambora is staying active with various extracurricular opportunities. Not only did he recently join B.B. King on stage in Chicago for the taping of a PBS special, but he will take part in a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Tribute Concert for Les Paul Saturday (Nov. 15) at the State Theatre in Cleveland.
"I've also been doing multiple sessions out here, some odd recordings with Kid Rock and T.I., some crazy stuff," Sambora says. "So I've been busy. Also, I'm going to be scoring some movies and TV shows. One of the movies is 'The Tournament' with Ving Rhames."
Sambora is also looking ahead to next year, when Bon Jovi will become eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
"I hope so," Sambora laughs. "Time flies man, but yeah there's talk and rumors. Boy that would be nice. It's something certainly I've been shooting for all my life. I think if you have a career in the music business, you want to get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum."
11/16/08
Latest info on new Enuff Z'Nuff album
Now in our mailbox we get a LOT of questions about the current status of the band, and what is the situation with their latest release 'Dissonance'! So with that in mind, we'd like to try and answer some of the FAQ's we get…
Q. When is Dissonance going to be released?
A. The guys are rightly so VERY proud of this disc, and want to capitalise on the potential it has. If you haven't heard it yet? It is their strongest effort for some time! Donnie's back, and has written some instant classics here. A couple of tracks have already been streamed on this very page. The disc is currently being 'shopped' around some major labels, and there IS interest! iTunes and other 'digital' outlets are also a possibility being considered at this moment in time. So watch this space! As soon as we know…? YOU'LL know!
Q. I thought Dissonance was released at Rocklahoma this year?
A. There WAS a very limited supply of Dissonance sold at Rocklahoma and some of the shows this year. As far as I know… they are completely sold out now. This wasn't the 'final' version, and more tracks may be added to the final version. Again… watch this space folks!
In the meantime… I STRONGLY recommend you check out Donnie Vie's website
www.enuffznuff.com/_dv/mag/ For a small subscription ($20 for 6 months) you get a whole LOT of exclusive previews, acoustic cd's, demo's and videos. And Dissonance in mp3 form IS available to subscribers for just $10. It's a great site, and Donnie regularly checks in and interacts with the members! Awesome value for money! SERIOUSLY!
Also… check out the bands Official website
www.enuffznuff.com/ for regular updates, info and fan forum! In fact, come register at the forum, it's free folks, and it's a great source of info there's a ton of 'fun' to be had in there too!
Q. When will Enuff Z'Nuff be touring/playing in my area?
A. Again, to tie in with Dissonance's release tours/dates ARE being planned! Enuff Z'Nuffs manager will let us know as soon as dates are finalised… and we will post them right here as soon as we receive them!
Hope that answers some of your questions! Keep checking in! These are exciting times for the band and we appreciate all the love and support you show for them
WE HAIL YOU!
Enuff Z'Nuff myspace team
11/11/08
Austin Winkler explains how Hinder tries to bring debauchery back to music
NEW YORK — When he has free time, Hinder's Austin Winkler reads rock biographies - the trashier, the better.
While books like Nikki Sixx's "The Heroin Diaries" may be written as a cautionary tale, Winkler looks at the debauchery of '80s bands like Sixx's Motley Crue and Guns N' Roses with a sense of nostalgia, and is determined to bring that reckless abandon back with his own group, song by song.
Hinder's sophomore CD, "Take It to the Limit," is a good effort. While they offer a PG-version, there are also R-rated and X-rated versions available - and Winkler says the most graphic version "is the record that you want, I promise you that."
During a break from rehearsals for a recent performance for U.S. troops, the singer talked about why the party lifestyle is so integral to Hinder's profile, getting hate from critics, and why rock has changed.
AP: You had a slow rise. Did you ever wonder if it was going to come with "Extreme Behavior," which went double platinum?
Winkler: We definitely hit the road and it seemed like we were out there forever before we saw like any kind of real fan base going on, but I definitely had my doubts a little bit. Originally, (the single) "Lips of an Angel," the label didn't want it on the record. We knew what a monster that was and basically the fans did too and made it a huge success.
AP: It also was a success on the country charts when it was done by Jack Ingram. What did you think of that version?
Winkler: (silence, then laughter).
AP: Silence!
Winkler: Silence is golden!
AP: But it does speak to the quality of the record that you can take it to different genres.
Winkler: Absolutely, and having country fans would be enormous for us, especially because that's one of the biggest markets you can hit.
AP: Besides money and fame, what else did success bring you?
Winkler: Definitely a whole lot of knowledge about how this music business works, and it's really (messed) up. Whenever you go into it and you think you know a little bit about it, and it's totally not what you expected it at all. It's a whole lot of work and it's a 24-7 job, for sure. Especially the road too, you always heard stories about what the road would be like, I've read "The Dirt" (by Motley Crue) twice, and until you actually get out there, once you get out there, everything you hear and see about rock 'n' roll, it's like, times it by 10 - it's just crazy.
AP: You talk about bringing sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back into the music. Do you think that you've been able to accomplish your goal?
Winkler: I absolutely think we've got a good start on it, that's for sure. People are afraid to push the limits today, and that's not what we grew up watching, we grew watching Guns N' Roses on MTV and that influenced us and inspired us as musicians and wanting to be a part of that lifestyle. I mean, it feels like they were having an amazing time and they were playing stadiums. At the time, rock was the biggest genre of music out there, bar none.
AP: You talk about wanting to party, but of course there are the cautionary tales of Amy Winehouse, and Nikki Sixx wrote a book about how devastating that lifestyle was. Are you ever concerned with taking it too far?
Winkler: Well, you know, we're very young, and (we've) got a lot to learn about that for sure, but right now, it's just not the time.
AP: How has marriage changed things for you?
Winkler: It definitely hasn't changed things as far as the band goes; we're still amazingly tight and we still go out there and rip every night, and do our things, but it's a good thing that I'm married, I promise.
AP: What's the best part of being married?
Winkler: Basically just having a person there at the end of the day, and to fall on whenever you need to. And she's really (expletive) hot.
AP: What do you like about rock books?
Winkler: It's absolutely mind-blowing what they got away with in the '80s, and maybe that's a part of the reason why rock isn't pushing the limits anymore, because maybe they are scared that it could get that way again and it could get out of control like it was in the '80s.
AP: You have had a lot of success but get scorn from critics. Do you wish you could win them over?
Winkler: Honestly it doesn't bother me. Our fans love us and we've got the best fans in the world.
AP: Why do you think there's that disconnect between critics and fans?
Winkler: I guess because we're on the radio, I don't know (laughs). I guess because we're selling records and they're listening to records.
11/11/08
ENUFF Z'NUFF: Video Interview With CHIP Z'NUFF
Reality Check TV has posted interview with bassist Chip Z'Nuff of legendary glam rockers ENUFF Z'NUFF filmed at this year's Rocklahoma festival, which was held July 9-13 in Pryor, Oklahoma. The three-minute clip can be viewed below.
ENUFF Z'NUFF is putting the finishing touches on its twelfth studio album. The CD will reportedly feature guest appearances by guitarist Jake E. Lee (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, BADLANDS) and original GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler.
11/10/08
Review: Dangerous Toys
Santa’s worst enemy returned with a bang Saturday when Dangerous Toys reloaded at Red Eyed Fly for a one-night stand of hair-metal mischief.
As Austin’s late-’80s bullet-belt rock champs, the Toys once played in the same box as L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat and other mid-level motley crews. Tours with Alice Cooper, Judas Priest and the Cult kept the carousel spinning until the life of leather and leisure disappeared in the gloom of Nirvana.
To the delight of Saturday’s 200 Backroom refugees, the Toys still enjoy random returns to the playground.
Opening with “Gunfighter” from the 1989 gold-certified self-titled debut album, singer Jason McMaster screeched with the red-faced fury of Janis Joplin while guitarists Scott Dalhover (bald) and Paul Lidel (hair to spare) traded sharp jabs of shredded blues. Bassist Mike Watson sported a bandanna-beneath-a-backward ball cap and was returned to health after illness postponed the gig a few months earlier. Curtain-haired drummer Mark Geary caffeinated the pulse.
The hard-charging “Outlaw” was followed by “Sugar, Leather & the Nail,” the bluesy bop of “Take Me Drunk” and the teeth-chattering scat of “Gimme No Lip,” which melted into a snippet of Iron Maiden’s “Runnin’ Free.” Somewhere in the flashback, a shout of “Watchtower” referenced McMaster’s pre-Toys thrash band and drew a raised eyebrow and appreciative grin from Austin’s well-traveled, current Broken Teeth singer.
As expected, the radio and MTV hits were greeted like high school crushes. Peppered among gems from the Toys’ overlooked third album, “Pissed,” the hits included the jet-engine vocals of “Queen of the Nile,” the sing-along shout of “Line ‘Em Up” and the silly slyness of “Sport’N a Woody.” A rarely heard “Demon Bell” was summoned from Wes Craven’s schlock flick, “Shocker,” before the two-hour gig came to a close with a bump-and-grind punch of “Teas’N Pleas’N” and “Scared.”
All told, the Toys were sturdy as a Tonka, skinny as a stick and still a whole lotta fun.
11/10/08
AC/DC goes Platinum plus in 2 weeks. Still #1 on Billboard.
AC/DC’S BLACK ICE CONTINUES
TO DOMINATE CHARTS WORLDWIDE
AC/DC BIGGEST CATALOG SELLING ARTIST OF 2008
MTV Games and Harmonix Release AC/DC Live: Rock Band® Track Pack™
AC/DC continue to dominate sales charts around the world as Black Ice remains the #1 selling album in the US, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Argentina, Canada and Spain. Released globally on Monday October 20, 2008, Black Ice topped sales charts in 29 Countries, including the US where it sold an incredible 784,288 in its first week (marking the band’s first ever debut on the US album charts). Black Ice went on to sell another 270,923 units this week, bringing the first 2 weeks sales in the US to over 1 million copies. Sold exclusively at Walmart, Sam's Club, and www.acdc.com in the US, Black Ice is poised to be the biggest selling rock record of 2008.
2008 is shaping up to be a year of firsts for AC/DC. With over 5.3 million copies of Black Ice shipped worldwide, combined with over 5.1 million in catalog sold this year, AC/DC have surpassed The Beatles as the #1 selling catalog artist in the US for 2008. For the first time in the band’s extensive history, AC/DC grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Additionally AC/DC are the first band to release an entire album for video game play with the release this week of The AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™. Also sold exclusively at Walmart and Sam’s Club in the US, AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™, gives music fans a whole new way to experience rock’s hardest hitting act with access to 18 live recordings from AC/DC’s epic, live performance at Castle Donington. Columbia Records have partnered with Walmart and MTV to create “AC/DC Rock Band Stores” in New York’s Times Square and in Los Angeles to give fans in the these cities fast access to all AC/DC music and merchandise.
AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™ is available starting this Sunday, November 2, 2008, nationwide at all Walmart and Sam’s Club locations for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®2 computer and entertainment system. AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™ will start shipping in the U.S. on the Wii™ home video game console from Nintendo the week of November 16, 2008.
AC/DC LIVE: Rock Band® Track Pack™ marks the first time the iconic rock band has released an entire album for video game play. The band’s first inclusion in a music-based video game came with the launch of Rock Band 2, which features AC/DC’s “Let There Be Rock”.
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