Vinnie Paul says Pantera became 'a business'

Vinnie Paul says he is happier with how Hellyeah is run as a band as opposed to Pantera – which he says became more like a business.

The drummer says the fun of being in a group is eradicated by the business aspect, but adds that supergroup Hellyeah hasn't yet reached that stage.

Paul is joined in Hellyeah by Mudvayne frontman Chad Gray, as well as Tom Maxwell and Kyle Sanders. He insists he is proud of what Pantera achieved but that his energy is now solely focused on Hellyeah.


Vinnie tells Metal-Rules: "You know, it's a good legacy to have but people do have to realise that that was then and this is now. A lot of people get hung up on living in the past and I'm not doing that. I'm living for today and for tomorrow.

"What I did back then was amazing, it was great and I'm hoping to achieve that again with this. It's a much different day and age, it's more difficult and harder, but I'm willing to do it.

"When you're in a band like Mudvayne or Pantera, they turn into a business after a while and the fun goes away from it because it's a lot of fucking work.

"I try telling people all the time — try being married to one person for any length of time, much less four or five other guys in the band, and you know that's what it's like. You really have to learn give and take and how things work."

Hellyeah released fourth album Blood For Blood this year, but almost quit before recording began due to an atmosphere described as "toxic." It resulted in the sacking of Greg Tribbett and Bob Zilla, who were replaced by Maxwell and Sanders.

source: classicrock.teamrock.com

Ward hated making Sabbath choice

Bill Ward has admitted his decision not to take part in Black Sabbath’s reunion was one of the most difficult he’s ever had to make.

He’s refuted the suggestion that he wouldn’t have been physically able to deliver the goods – and he remains open to the idea of returning, although he’s determined not to fall victim to “nicety and placations.”

Sabbath hired Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk for 13, their first album with singer Ozzy Osbourne since 1978. It followed Ward’s announcement in 2012 that he wouldn’t take part because he hadn’t been offered a “signable” contract.

The drummer tells Guitar International: “It was one of the toughest decisions that I ever had to make, Because I absolutely and without question wanted to play. I hated the fact that I’m not on the tour and I couldn’t play Birmingham. That was absolutely punishing to go through.

“Tony was sick and I wanted to be with Tony. It was a very hardcore decision to make.”

Despite making that call, he regards himself as a member of the band. “I’m the drummer in Black Sabbath,” he emphasises. “I didn’t walk out; it wasn’t like that at all – I just didn’t sign the contact and life took its own course.”

Asked why he didn’t take the band up on their offer of appearing for parts of shows amid the suggestion he couldn’t deliver an entire set, Ward says: “I want to do the entire show. I play all or nothing. Playing partially would kind of be aligning to my demise in Sabbath and minimise me.

“I would never, ever show up for a commitment that I could not do physically.”

He says he’ll pay attention if he’s invited back, but adds: “All the nicety and placations in the world will mean nothing unless I get the right contract.”

He reflects: “You have to stay true to your heart and make a stand, and sometimes you have to make a very painful stand.” Asked what he’d like to be remembered for he replies: “That I really tried hard to have integrity.”

Sabbath will tour the UK without Ward in December:

Dec 10: 02 Arena, London, UK
Dec 12: Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Ireland
Dec 14: Arena, Sheffield, UK
Dec 16: Hydro, Glasgow, UK
Dec 18: Arena, Manchester, UK
Dec 20: LG Arena, Birmingham, UK

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Former Krokus Drummer Dani Crivelli Dies

Drummer Dani Crivelli, who played with the Swiss metal band Krokus from 1987-1989, has passed away. The band revealed his death in a statement on their web site on Sunday (April 21).


Crivelli played in a band called Ain’t Dead Yet with fellow Krokus members Many Maurer and Tony Castell before joining Krokus in 1987.

The drummer performed on the ‘Heart Attack’ album in 1988, then embarked on a tour with the group that included North America. Directly after the tour that lineup of Krokus split, with Marc Storace and Fernando Von Arb leaving, while Crivelli participated in a new lineup that was short-lived and produced no new material.





The group’s statement reads:

We are saddened to report to you that our ex-Krokus drummer Dani Crivelli passed away. Our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

Also a native of Solothurn, Switzerland, Dani (far left) joined KROKUS in 1987, replacing Jeff Klaven. You can listen to him on the band’s 1988 HEART ATTACK release that included KROKUS staples like “Rock’n'Roll Tonight” and “Wild Love”. He always kept in contact with the band over the years. We liked his straight forward, but true words about music and life. He will be missed but will keep on drumming in Rock’n'Roll heaven!

No cause of death has been announced.

source: ultimateclassicrock.com

Clive Burr, former Iron Maiden drummer, dies at 56

Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr has died at the age of 56 after suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Steve Harris, the heavy metal band's founder and bass player, said it was "terribly sad news" in an announcement on the group's website.

"He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out."

Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979 and played on their first three albums.

Lead singer Bruce Dickinson also paid tribute, saying: "Even during the darkest days of his MS, Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence."

Burr played on the band's debut album Iron Maiden (1980), Killers (1981) and their number one 1982 album The Number of the Beast.

Megadeath bassist David Ellefson, who left his tribute on Facebook, said: "He was one of my all time favourite Metal drummers."

"So sad," said Brian Slagal, CEO of Metal Blade Records, on Twitter. "Clive was a great guy."

"Always remember CLIVE for eternity," said Iron Maiden tribute band Coverslave in their own Twitter tribute.

Born in 1957 in east London, Burr was a member of British metal band Samson before joining Iron Maiden.

"I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden," said Dickinson. "He was a great guy and a man who really lived his life to the full."

Burr left the band in December 1982, just as they were about to become a global stadium headliner.

When he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, his former Maiden bandmates formed the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund to help raise money for his living costs.

They performed a number of concerts in his honour when he struggled to keep up payments on his house.

source: bbc.co.uk

Ex-Korn Drummer Pleads Not Guilty In DUI Case

Ex-Korn drummer David Silveria insists he was NOT under the influence at the time of his DUI arrest earlier this year -- pleading "not guilty" earlier this week in an Orange County courtroom.

TMZ broke the story ... Silveria was busted for DUI in Huntington Beach back in March after rear-ending another car.

The man insisted he hadn't a drop to drink -- but told us he did take a sleeping pill the night before, the effects of which may have lasted through the morning ... making him too drowsy to drive safely.





Silveria called it an "honest mistake" -- and has now decided to fight the charges.

A pretrial date has been set for September.

article source: tmz.com

Ted Nugent’s drummer arrested in golf cart drink-drive fracas

Mick Brown, the drummer in Ted Nugent’s band, faces several charges after police in Bangor, Maine, say he was driving drunk in a golf cart stolen from a concert venue. According to reports, there were also two females on board the cart at the time.

Officers working at Nugent’s concert last night at Bangor’s Waterfront Pavilion – also featuring Styx and REO Speedwagon – were told that Brown was intoxicated, had stolen the cart and was driving it recklessly on a foot path.

Police say when officers tried to stop the cart, Brown accelerated past them and shoved a security officer.

Two security officers then managed to extricate Brown from the cart, and he was arrested.

Brown was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger, theft and assault. He was released on $4,000 bail.

Officially the most rock’n'roll story of the year so far.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Foo Fighters Drummer Will Play Iggy Pop in 'CBGB'

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins will portray Iggy Pop in the forthcoming film CBGB, the Hollywood Reporter confirms. This will be Hawkins' first significant acting role, though he has had comedic roles in a handful of Foo Fighters videos. It's unclear how substantial the role will be – there's a good chance that it's a small part and Hawkins was cast in part because he somewhat resembles the Stooges rocker in his prime.

Other parts in the film have been cast as well, including The Borgias actress Mickey Sumner as Patti Smith, The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki as Television manager Terry Ork, Malin Akerman as Blondie singer Debbie Harry and Rupert Grint as Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome. Alan Rickman will star as Hilly Kristal, the owner of the famous punk rock hot spot.

source: rollingstone.com

Sublime with Rome Yeah We Fought ... But We're NOT Broken Up!

Don't panic ... Sublime with Rome is NOT calling it quits, despite an on-stage blow up at a concert in Hawaii earlier this week ... TMZ has learned.

Fans were shocked when drummer Bud Gaugh stormed off the stage in Maui on Nov. 20 -- after hurling profanities at the band's manager, Mike "Cheez" Brown.

TMZ spoke with Cheez ... who tells us the drama began when he grabbed his guitar to play a song with the band at the end of the show, as he's often known to do.

But this time, Cheez says, Bud had an issue with the performance -- and screamed at Cheez to get off the stage. Bud then got the crowd to chant, "Go home Cheez."

Cheez, surprised by Bud's reaction, remained on the stage -- but Bud stormed off. The band, stunned by the outburst, completed the show without the drummer.

Now, sources close to the band tell TMZ ... the guys have buried the hatchet -- after laughing about the incident the following day.

As for Cheez, dude tells us he plans to stay off the stage for a while ... until Bud gives him the all-clear to play with the group again.


Source: TMZ

Forming a Band

Any advertisement can be as detailed or generic as you need it to be. You must have a clear idea as to who you want in your band, this is the most important factor, whether it be a bass player, singer or drummer etc. Ask yourself : What qualifications and experience are you looking for ? Does age matter ? Make a list of questions and keep it by your phone, then you can interview anyone who phones you straightaway. Questions you ask should be such that can get short responses or even just 'yes ' or 'no' answers. You can take notes faster that way. If someone seems a likely candidate take their phone number and tell them that you will call them when the interviews have finished, always try to get back to people within 2 to 4 weeks if possible. Look at your notes and decide who you want to call, organize a time suitable for everyone you want to call and most importantly make the meeting where you choose. This is a crucial part of establishing yourself as the originator of the band and on being the main influence of the direction you want the band to go in.

A word of caution though, it may not be a wise idea to invite them to your home at least until you know them a little better but it is of course your decision, bear in mind though that you are all strangers at the outset.

Take it slowly and informally on the first meeting. Make introductions, share experiences, set goals, discuss plans etc. Doing this will give you insight as to whether each person will be able to work together and gel well. People who think they know everything for example, will just create problems for the others. Be realistic but fair in your judgements, if someone is clearly not right for the band it is better to reject them immediately. otherwise in time they will damage or spoil the whole band. Your second meeting can be a "jam" session. At this time you will be able to gauge whether everyone will get on together or not but do not be too quick in deciding.

I remember auditioning for a band that I had known for some years and I always wanted to be part of it. I was so self conscious that I could not relax and everything seemed to go wrong. My experience that I had gained previously when performing solo did not help me either. I was sure that they would not want me but to my surprisBe, they did ! The second audition was no better but evenso they gave me yet another chance . On the third edition it was so different, our voices and music blended so well that I knew I would be in their band. I shared this story so that it may encourage you to give your new band some time to get used to each other and to become confident together. However, if you find that over a period of time nothing seems to work you may need to reconsider whether the band is right or not but of course, you alone can decide.

There is not much more to say. Once your band members are decided on, you are ready to begin. Share any original tunes with others and find out if anyone else has written material themselves. Be real and open for anything. If you know your own priorities from the beginning it will keep you focused through the good and bad times that you may encounter. Always remember : "Nothing ventured nothing gained"