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

Carl Dixon to play UK acoustic shows

Coney Hatch guitarist and co-vocalist Carl Dixon will return to the UK for a brief set of acoustic shows later this month.

The Canadian’s visit includes a return to the scene of his band’s acclaimed 2011 performance at Firefest in Nottingham. This time he’ll perform at the event’s after-party shows at Rock City on October 18 and 19.

After that he’ll appear at the Railway, Bolton on October 20 and London’s 12 Bar Club on October 22.

Dixon says: “I’ll be playing a solid couple of hours’ worth, a mix of old and new Coney stuff, songs from my solo albums and some classic cover songs that I just enjoy singing.”

He’ll be selling copies of Coney Hatch’s most recent album Four, which was recently released via Frontiers Records. Classic Rock called it “a blinding return by the much-missed Canadians”.

The tenth Firefest takes place at Nottingham’s Rock City from October 18 to 20. The headliners are Canada’s Harem Scarem (performing their signature Mood Swings album), Hardline, and a Legends line-up that includes singer Eric Martin of Mr Big.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Kings Of Leon's new album debuts at No.1

Kings of Leon have landed their third consecutive No.1 album on the ARIA chart as their sixth album Mechanical Bull debuts at top.

The Nashville rockers' sixth studio release bumps off Keith Urban's album Fuse, which drops down two spots to No.3.

Another new entry is Drake's Nothing Was the Same at No.2, which becomes his first Top 10 entry and highest charting album all in the same week.

Jason Derulo's third album Tattoos has debuted at No.5, becoming his third Top 10 album.

Jack Johnson is down three places to No.6 with From Here to Now to You, while the fourth Top 10 debut is Jessie J with Alive at No.7.

Pink's The Truth About Love has dropped two spots to No.8 and Rudimental's Home moves up five places to No.9.

Avicii's album True plummets eight places round out the Top 10.

Meanwhile Katy Perry's Roar has spent another week at No.1 on the singles chart.

The top three all hold steady this week, with Miley Cyrus at No.2 with Wrecking Ball and Redfoo at No.3 with Let's Get Ridiculous.

The big mover is John Newman with Love Me Again, which charges up four places, pushing Derulo's Talk Dirty down to No.5.

OneRepublic spends a third straight week at No.6 with Something I Need, Lana Del Rey is down a couple of places to No.7 with her Summertime Sadness and Drake climbs a place to a new peak of No.8 with Hold On, We're Going Home.

Avicii has slipped to No.9 with Wake Me Up, while Lorde is back up two places to No.10 with her EP The Love Club feat Royals.

AUSTRALIAN SINGLES CHART

1(1) Roar - Katy Perry (CAP/EMI)

2(2) Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus (RCA/SME)

3(3) Let's Get Ridiculous - Redfoo (INR/UMA)

4(8) Love Me Again - John Newman (ISL/UMA)

5(4) Talk Dirty - Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz (WAR)

6(6) Something I Need - OneRepublic (INR/UMA)

7(5) Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey vs Cedric Gervais (INR/UMA)

8(9) Hold on, We're Going Home - Drake Feat. Majid Jordan (UNI/UMA)

9(8) Wake Me Up - Avicii (UNI/UMA)

10(12) The Love Club Feat. Royals - Lorde (UNI/UMA)

AUSTRALIAN ALBUMS CHART

1(-) Mechanical Bull - Kings Of Leon (RCA/SME)

2(-) Nothing Was The Same - Drake (UNI/UMA)

3(1) Fuse - Keith Urban (CAP/EMI)

4(3) AM - Arctic Monkeys (DOM/EMI)

5(-) Tattoos - Jason Derulo (WAR)

6(3) From Here to Now to You - Jack Johnson (UNI/UMA)

7(-) Alive - Jessie J (UNI/UMA)

8(6) The Truth About Love - Pink (RCA/SME)

9(14) Home - Rudimental (WAR)

10(2) True - Avicii (UNI/UMA)

AUSTRALIAN STREAMING CHART

1(1) Roar - Katy Perry (EMI)

2(2) Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus (SME)

3(3) Wake Me Up - Avicii (UMA)

4(4) The Love Club EP - Lorde (UMA)

5(6) Counting Stars - OneRepublic (UMA)

6(5) Talk Dirty - Jason Derulo Feat. 2 Chainz (WAR)

7(9) You Make Me - Avicii (UMA)

8(7) Burn - Ellie Goulding (UMA)

9(8) La La La - Naughty Boy Feat. Sam Smith (EMI)

10(10) Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke Feat. T.I. Pharrell (UMA)

AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY CHART

1(1) Fuse - Keith Urban (CAP/EMI)

2(2) The Very Best Of Slim Dusty - Slim Dusty (EMI)

3(-) The Buegrass Album - Alan Jackson (SME)

4(3) The Great Country Songbook - Troy Cassar-Daley Adam Harvey (SME)

5(-) A.M - Chris Young (RCA/SME)

6(6) Red - Taylor Swift (BIG/UMA)

7(3) 40 Years Of Pride - Charley Pride (RCA/SME)6 (WAR)

8(6) A Hell Of A Career! - John Williamson (WAR)

9(7) Crash My Party - Luke Bryan (CAP/EMI)

10(8) The Story So Far - Keith Urban (CAP/EMI)

source: bigpondnews.com

Frusciante’s excitement over quitting Chilis

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante says the idea of quitting the band came to him when they first discussed the possibility of taking a break.

They had two years off before reforming in 2009, at which point he confirmed he wouldn’t be returning. They replaced him with Josh Klinghoffer a few weeks later, and later released tenth studio album I’m With You.

Now Frusciante reveals he’d made up his mind to leave soon after bassist Flea suggested a hiatus following their Stadium Arcadium tour in 2007.

He tells Billboard: “When he said it I was kind of shocked. I thought we were on a roll – let’s just keep moving with this, you know?

“But once he said it to me, my mind started thinking, ‘What would I do with that two years if I had two years to just do whatever I wanted?’

“By about four months later I was so excited about quitting the band I didn’t even want it to be a two-year thing any more.”

He didn’t attend the Chilis’ induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year and says he has no interest in rejoining the band for a third stint. In fact, he’s lost interest in appearing on stage at all.

“I really don’t think of myself as a performer any more,” he reflects. “It was never something that came naturally to me; it was something I adapted to. But it was never really an expression of who I was.”

Frusciante is set to release an EP called Outsides on August 27. He says of his “progressive synth pop” work: “I needed to specifically make music that I know wouldn’t sell in order to learn things. I’m going to keep doing that for the rest of my life.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Pineda’s terror at giant Journey show

Arnel Pineda nearly collapsed in terror as he geared up to perform to 25 million people soon after being confirmed as Journey’s frontman.

The previously-unknown vocalist was hired in 2006 after guitarist Neal Schon saw him covering Journey tracks in a YouTube video.

But nothing could have prepared him for one of his first appearances with the band, in Vina del Mar, a sold-out show which was being televised live across South America.

Schon tells Rolling Stone: “We there him in the fire, no doubt about it. Two seconds before we go, Arnel is like: ‘Can I go home? I don’t want to go out.’

“It was fear and loathing to the max – but then he went out, and he went for it, and the audience went nuts.”
Pineda recalls: “I was terrified to death. It took years, but I survived it.”

He knows his position is a dream come true, but he admits: “I get really homesick inside. I would miss my life without my wife.”

His story is celebrated in documentary movie Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey. Schon says: “He brings it – he sings his heart out every night and it’s not an easy menu.”

But it’s involved more changes to Pineda’s life than fans might expect: “I had to give up dairy products, beer, wine, spicy food,” says the singer. “And no talking. I like talking, but it’s become a luxury to last even through a ten-minute talk.

“I have to go back to my room and silence… until the next gig happens.”

Schon – whose band may never make another album – recently said he’d love to reconnect with classic-era singer Steve Perry, commenting: “We had amazing chemistry together. I love him with all the love and admiration you could have.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Metal On Ice book to become EP and show

Canadian guitarist and author Sean Kelly is gearing up to release an EP inspired by his book Metal On Ice.

The title documents the glories and struggles of Canada’s hard rock and heavy metal heroes in the 80s and early 90s, drawing on interviews with members of the bands that made that chapter of Canada’s music history so memorable for its fans.

Metal On Ice includes interviews with members of Anvil, Voivod, Brighton Rock, Helix, Coney Hatch, Kick Axe, Sven Gali, Slik Toxik and many others.

Kelly, who’s currently playing guitar with pop star Nelly Furtado, has booked studio time to record his own version of some of the songs of bands that inspired them – with the original vocalists appearing on each track.

The Metal On Ice EP will feature Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch, Brian Vollmer of Helix, Lee Aaron, Darby Mills of Headpins, Nick Walsh of Slik Toxik and Russ Dwarf of Killer Dwarfs.

A Pledge campaign is underway to support the recording, and a live tour featuring the guest vocalists alongside a house band is being prepared.

Kelly says: “Great songs are born from great stories, and these classic anthems and tales will take on a whole new life when the Metal On Ice Show brings the Canadian arena rock experience across the country.

“Set in an ‘electric storyteller’ context, the Metal On Ice Show will bring audiences back to a time when the amps were cranked, the beer was cold, and the plan was to have a good time, all the time!”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Nirvana’s Forgotten Tune to be released

A previously unheard Nirvana track will take pride of place in the 20th anniversary edition of the band’s last album In Utero.

It’s to be one of more than 70 numbers which will appear alongside unheard alternative mixes, demos and more.

High points include a brand-new mix of the original album, Curt Cobain’s handwritten lyrics, a four-page letter from producer Steve Albini to the band, discussing his plans for the project, and a newly-mastered recording of the band’s Live And Loud concert in Seattle in 1993.

Universal Music Group say: “In Utero was the sound of the most incredible yet conflicted band of the era at the peak of its powers, coming to terms with a generational spokesband mantle they’d never seen coming – and ultimately surmounting these struggles to make the record they needed to make.

“As Rolling Stone’s David Fricke said in his review at the time, ‘In Utero is a lot of things-brilliant, corrosive, enraged and thoughtful, most of them all at once. But more than anything, it’s a triumph of the will.’”

The 20th anniversary In Utero will appear in a number of formats on September 23.

Super Deluxe

More than 70 remastered, remixed, rare and unreleased recordings, including B-sides, compilation tracks, never-before-heard demos and live material featuring the final touring lineup of Cobain, Novoselic, Grohl, and Pat Smear. This box set also includes a DVD of the complete “Live and Loud” show from Seattle’s Pier 48 on December 13, 1993 plus over 35 minutes never-before-released bonus material.



CD One
01. Serve The Servants (Albini mix/original release) – 3:39
02. Scentless Apprentice (Albini mix/original release) – 3:47
03. Heart-Shaped Box (Litt mix/original release) – 4:41
04. Rape Me (Albini mix/original release) – 2:51
05. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle (Albini mix/original release) – 4:09
06. Dumb (Albini mix/original release) – 2:32
07. Very Ape (Albini mix/original release) – 1:55
08. Milk It (Albini mix/original release) – 3:54
09. Pennyroyal Tea (Albini mix/original release) – 3:37
10. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Albini mix/original release) – 4:51
11. Tourette’s (Albini mix/original release) – 1:35
12. All Apologies (Litt mix/original release) – 3:55
13. Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip (ex-U.S. bonus track) – 7:35
14. Marigold (B-side; “Heart Shaped Box) – 2:34
15. Moist Vagina (B-side; “All Apologies”) – 3:33
16. Sappy (from “No Alternative” compilation) – 3:28
17. I Hate Myself And Want To Die (from “The Beavis And Butthead Experience” compilation) – 2:59
18. Pennyroyal Tea (Litt mix) – 3:36
19. Heart-Shaped Box (Albini mix/unreleased) – 4:42
20. All Apologies (Albini mix/unreleased) – 3:58

CD Two
01. Serve The Servants (2013 mix) – 3:36
02. Scentless Apprentice (2013 mix) – 3:49
03. Heart-Shaped Box (2013 mix) – 4:41
04. Rape Me (2013 mix) – 2:49
05. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle (2013 mix) – 4:12
06. Dumb (2013 mix) – 2:32
07. Very Ape (2013 mix) – 1:57
08. Milk It (2013 mix) – 3:56
09. Pennyroyal Tea (2013 mix) – 3:32
10. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (2013 mix) – 4:51
11. Tourette’s (2013 mix) – 1:35
12. All Apologies (2013 mix) – 3:55
13. Scentless Apprentice (Rio demo) – 3:54
14. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle (Laundry Room demo) – 4:33
15. Dumb (Word Of Mouth demo) – 2:39
16. Very Ape (Rio demo) — 2:21
17. Pennyroyal Tea (Word Of Mouth demo) – 3:31
18. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Word Of Mouth demo) – 2:40
19. Tourettes (Word Of Mouth demo) – 2:14
20. Marigold (Upland Studios demo)- 3:25
21. All Apologies (Music Source demo) – 4:25
22. Forgotten Tune (Rehearsal) – 2:04
23. Jam (Word Of Mouth demo) – 5:44

CD Three – Live & Loud: Live At Pier 48, Seattle
01. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
02. Drain You
03. Breed
04. Serve The Servants
05. Rape Me
06. Sliver
07. Pennyroyal Tea
08. Scentless Apprentice
09. All Apologies
10. Heart-Shaped Box
11. Blew
12. The Man Who Sold The World
13. School
14. Come As You Are
15. Lithium
16. About a Girl
17. Endless, Nameless

DVD – Live & Loud: Live At Pier 48, Seattle
01. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter*
02. Drain You*
03. Breed*
04. Serve The Servants*
05. Rape Me*
06. Sliver
07. Pennyroyal Tea*
08. Scentless Apprentice*
09. All Apologies
10. Heart-Shaped Box*
11. Blew
12. The Man Who Sold The World
13. School
14. Come As You Are
15. Lithium*
16. About a Girl
17. Endless, Nameless*

Extras:
18. Very Ape (Live & Loud Rehearsal)
19. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Live & Loud Rehearsal)
20. Rape Me (Live & Loud Rehearsal)
21. Pennyroyal Tea (Live & Loud Rehearsal)
22. Heart-Shaped Box (Original Music Video + Director’s Cut)
23. Rape Me (Live on “Nulle Part Ailleurs” – Paris, France)
24. Pennyroyal Tea (Live on “Nulle Part Ailleurs” – Paris, France)
25. Drain You (Live on “Nulle Part Ailleurs” – Paris, France)
26. Serve The Servants (Live on “Tunnel” – Rome, Italy)
27. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter (Live in Munich, Germany)
28. My Best Friend’s Girl (Live in Munich, Germany)
29. Drain You (Live in Munich, Germany)

Deluxe 2CD Edition

The original album remastered at Abbey Road Studios plus never-before-heard demos, mixes, B-sides and bonus tracks from the original album release.
CD One: Original album and bonus tracks remastered
CD Two: 2013 album mix plus pre-album demos

 
Deluxe 3LP Vinyl Edition

The original album remastered at Abbey Road Studios on 2LPs and for the first time available at high-fidelity 45 RPM, plus a 33 1/3 RPM LP of all the remastered B-sides, never-before-heard original mixes and bonus tracks from the original album release. All 3LPS are on 180 gram vinyl.


Original Album Remastered CD

20th Anniversary Edition of the original album remastered at Abbey Road studios in 2013.


DVD: Live & Loud

The complete Live and Loud show from Seattle’s Pier 48 on December 13, 1993 plus over 35 minutes of never-before-released bonus material.



Digital Formats:
Super Deluxe Audio
Deluxe Audio
Original Album Remastered
Live & Loud: Longform Digital Video and Streaming/Rental Outlets

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Music: Nine Inch Nails – Copy Of A

Nine Inch Nails have released a new track, Copy Of A, from upcoming album Hesitation Marks. Hear it below.

Trent Reznor announced in February he was reactivating the band he split in 2009, then later admitted he’d been working on Hesitation Marks for much longer than that.

He’s said the new material is inspired by taking a new look at NIN’s 1994 classic The Downward Spiral. He recently recalled how David Bowie offered him “shamanish advice” when the art-rock icon had resolved his addiction issues while Reznor was stroll struggling with his own.

Hesitation Marks is released on September 2 while NIN play Reading and Leeds on the weekend of August 23-25.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell Announces Fall Dates for Songbook Solo Acoustic Tour

Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell has announced a solo tour of North America this fall.

He’ll be playing a series of intimate shows highlighting songs he’s written throughout his career. This is the first time US fans will hear acoustic arrangements of songs from 2012′s King Animal, Soundgarden’s first new studio album in more than 16 years.

American/Sri Lankan folk artist Bhi Bhiman will support Cornell on tour.

This year also marks the launch of the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, which helps the most vulnerable children. One dollar of every ticket sold on the tour will be donated to the Foundation, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit ChildHaven’s Creative Music Therapy Program Expansion. Visit childhaven.org for more information on ChildHaven and the program.

An exclusive pre-sale for American Express cardholder members will open for all dates August 14; venue pre-sales will open August 15; the public sale will begin August 16 at 10 a.m. local time. PRESS HERE to pre-order tickets.

Visit chriscornell.com for more information on the Songbook tour and Chris Cornell.






Chris Cornell Acoustic Tour Dates in Full:

10/15 San Diego, CA @ Balboa Theatre
10/16 Napa, CA @ The Uptown Theatre
10/18 San Francisco, CA @ Nob Hill Masonic Center
10/19 Eugene, OR @ Jaqua Concert Hall
10/20 Seattle WA @ Benaroya Hall
10/22 Victoria, BC @ University of Victoria – Farquhar Auditorium
10/23 Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre (check local listings for on-sale date)
10/25 Medicine Hat, AB @ Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
10/26 Calgary, AB @ Jubilee Auditorium (check local listings for on-sale date)
10/27 Saskatoon, SK @ TCU Place (check local listings for on-sale date)
10/29 Winnipeg, MB @ Pantages Playhouse Theatre (check local listings for on-sale date)
10/30 Saint Paul, MN @ O’Shaughnessy Auditorium
11/1 Chicago, IL @ Cadillac Palace Theatre
11/2 Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
11/3 Lakewood, OH @ Lakewood Civic Auditorium
11/5 Buffalo, NY @ Center for the Arts
11/6 Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
11/13 Kingston, NY @ Ulster PAC
11/15 Boston, MA @ Shubert Theatre
11/16 New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
11/17 Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theatre & PAC
11/19 Providence, RI @ Veterans Memorial Auditorium
11/20 New Haven, CT @ Shubert Theater
11/22 Reading, PA @ Sovereign Performing Arts Center
11/23 Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre
11/24 Collingswood, NJ @ Scottish Rite Auditorium
11/26 Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre
11/27 Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House
11/29 Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Casino & Spa – Music Box
11/30 Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Casino & Spa – Music Box

source: revolvermag.com

TNT to lose Tony Mills…

Norwegian veteran rockers TNT are to lose singer Tony Mills after a seven-year stint including three studio album appearances.

And it’s raised the possibility of a return for Tony Harnell, who fronted them for 22 years before bowing out in 2006.

Mills doesn’t think his decision will come as a surprise, following the death of keyboardist Dag Stokke in 2011 and Victor Borge’s decision to move on last year.

He says in a statement: “After the passing of our beloved Dag and the parting with Victor, my departing may not be altogether unexpected.

“There are other contracts I need to fulfil and a different focus I need to maintain in the coming years. I wish Ronni Le Tekro and his team all the best for their future, however it may shape itself.

“We’ve had some remarkable experiences together and we’ve worked with some incredible characters.”

Mills has vowed to remain until the band’s current commitments have been fulfilled, including two shows in Norway this weekend.

Meanwhile, Harnell has refused to go into detail about rumours suggesting he’ll return to TNT. “The ‘press leak’ in Norway was a bit premature,” he says. “Meaning: if anything were to happen it’s not happening this soon – and I’m not saying anything is going to happen.

“The beginning and the end are sometimes a little too close to each other. But the door of possibility always remains open.”

Guitarist Le Tekro is the only founding member remaining, and the only person to have appeared in all lineups of TNT.

source: classicrockmagazine.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

JJ Cale dead at 74

JJ Cale has died at the age of 74 after suffering a heart attack, his official website has confirmed.

The singer-songwriter released 14 solo albums starting with 1972′s Naturally. His most recent outing was 2009′s Roll On. He was a pioneer of the Tulsa sound – an amalgamation of blues, country and jazz known for its laid-back feel.

Eric Clapton was a fan, recording a cover of Cale’s 1976 track Cocaine after having previously released a take of After Midnight. Cale’s songs were also covered by acts as diverse as Captain Beefheart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Carlos Santana, Kansas and Tom Petty.

A statement on his official website says: “JJ Cale passed away at 8.00pm on Friday July 26 at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, CA. The legendary singer / songwriter had suffered a heart attack. There are no immediate plans for services.

“His history is well documented at JJCale.com, rosebudus.com/cale, and in the documentary, To Tulsa And Back.

“Donations are not needed; but he was a great lover of animals so, if you like, donations can be made to your favourite local animal shelter.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Dio third album ‘difficult’ for ex members

Dio offshoot band Last In Line will play most of the band’s first two albums but not much of third release Sacred Heart – because the material carries too many bad memories.

Guitarist Vivian Campbell, now with Def Leppard, last week told Classic Rock he aimed to reclaim his heritage by playing songs he co-wrote for the first time since being sacked by Ronnie James Dio in 1986.

But he’s not ready to extend that to the album he was touring at the time he was fired.

Campbell tells Talking Metal of their setlist: “We haven’t completely finalised it yet, but it’s basically going to pick itself.

“There are only nine songs on Holy Diver and I think there’s only nine songs on the The Last In Line album.

“The Sacred Heart album was very difficult for us all – that’s when things really started to go wrong with the band. No one wanted to be in the studio with Ronnie.

“We would literally just come in and do our parts; we wouldn’t really hang, whereas with Holy Diver and Last In Line we were in the studio 24-7 and everyone was committed to making those records.

“So the Sacred Heart record, we don’t look upon it as favourably. We probably won’t play too much from that.”

While Campbell and bandmates Vinnie Appice, Jimmy Bain and Claude Schnell used to perform some Black Sabbath and Rainbow tracks with Dio, the guitarist feels it wouldn’t be appropriate now they’re working with singer Andy Freeman.

“I don’t think it would be legitimate for us to do that,” says Campbell. “The original Dio band played Man On The Silver Mountain, Stargazer, Long Live Rockn’Roll, Mob Rules, Heaven And Hell and Children Of The Sea. Those were legitimate enough for us to do because Ronnie was there and he’d been in those bands.

“But without Ronnie there, I don’t think it’s very legitimate to play Sabbath or Rainbow songs, so we won’t be doing that.”

Last In Line’s debut tour takes place in the UK next month, but the band have added a warm-up show at Slidebar in Fullarton, California on August 3.

Last in Line UK Tour

 

Aug 8: Belfast Limelight
Aug 9: Glasgow Cathouse
Aug 10: Bloodstock festival
Aug 11: London Islington Academy

source: classicrockmagazine.com

John Lydon to get Icon Award

Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd frontman John Lydon is to be given an Icon Award by music rights organisation the BMI.

He’ll be guest of honour at a gala event in London’s Dorchester Hotel on October 15.

The award is granted to songwriters who have left “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers” and previous recipients include Queen, Ray Davies, Steve Winwood and Bryan Ferry.

BMI president Del Bryant says: “John is a true icon whose influence on music, fashion and art has been felt around the world. We’re very pleased to recognise his impact on popular culture and his outstanding musical contributions.”

The former Johnny Rotten’s writing credits include Pistols classics Anarchy In The UK, God Save The Queen and Pretty Vacant, along with PIL tracks Rise, This Is Not A Love Song, Warrior and Public Image.

PIL released a This Is PIL, their first album in 20 years, in 2012. It was followed by a world tour, including a trip to China in April this year – which, to Lydon’s surprise, was approved by the nation’s authorities after they asked to read every lyric he’d ever written.

He said: “They have either incredible good taste or they have no idea what I’m going on about. I can’t wait to find out. I hope their prison food is better than elsewhere. I’ve been in jails all around the world; I’m due an update.”

The band appeared at this year’s Glastonbury festival

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Campbell claims back Dio heritage

Last In Line is all about reclaiming lost heritage for guitarist Vivian Campbell.

The Def Leppard axeman has reunited with fellow founding Dio members Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain and Claude Schnell. Together with singer Andy Freeman they’re gearing up to tour the UK, playing the tracks they wrote as part of the late Ronnie James Dio’s band.

And Campbell – who was fired by Dio in 1986 – asserts the move to reclaim material he co-created is long overdue.

He tells Classic Rock: “I’ve got a different way of looking at it now than I’ve had for almost 30 years.

“I was fired, then I was portrayed as the one who’d turned my back on the band. It wasn’t true: I never wanted to leave Dio.

“I will admit that, at the time, I was experiencing growth and I wanted to try different kinds of music. That obviously rubbed Ronnie the wrong way. Perhaps that’s what he construed as me not wanting to be in the band – but I certainly did not want to leave.”

As a result of the experience, Campbell turned his back on the music he’d written with Dio, and he’s still upset about the way he and his bandmates were treated. “We wrote those songs,” he emphasises. “We weren’t just salaried guitarists, bassists, drummers. But we got none of the records, the tour profits, the merchandise. We were paid literally less than the crew.

“We were made to feel like we weren’t part of it. Being fired hurt a lot, and, perhaps childishly, I ran away from it.

“So I’m re-taking ownership of that stuff. It’s as much mine as anyone else’s; I wrote those songs and I put my heart and soul into that project.”

But Campbell – who’s currently receiving treatment for cancer – didn’t set out with the aim of putting the band back together. He only invited his former colleagues to a one-off jam session in a rehearsal studio, after having been inspired by his short stint with Thin Lizzy in 2010-11.

“That really helped me connect with guitar playing again,” he says. “To play those Lizzy songs from my youth really connected the dots for me.

“So I called Vinnie, Jimmy and Claude and we went into a studio. We’d only booked a room for a few hours, and about half-way through Vinnie said, ‘I know this guy.’ Andy walked in, and right away it just sounded amazing.”

Last In Line – named after Dio’s second album – play their first-ever shows next month:

Aug 8: Belfast Limelight
Aug 9: Glasgow Cathouse
Aug 10: Bloodstock festival
Aug 11: London Islington Academy

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Dream Theater detail self-titled album

Dream Theater have revealed the artwork and tracklist for their self-titled 12th album, which is due for release no September 23.

It’s the second record to feature Mike Mangini on drums after Mike Portnoy’s shock departure in 2010 – but it’s the first time Mangini’s had the opportunity to contribute as a writer, since the material for 2011 album A Dramatic Turn Of Events had been completed before he joined the band.

Guitarist John Petrucci recently said of the work: “I see every new album as an opportunity to start over – to either build or improve upon a direction that has been evolving over time, or to completely break new ground.

“This is the first self-titled album of our career and there is nothing I can think of that makes a statement of musical and creative identity stronger than that. We’ve fully explored all of the elements that make us unique, from the epic and intense to the atmospheric and cinematic.”

The album will be available in multiple formats including special edition CD, double-vinyl and limited-edition box set. Dream Theater launch a DVD entitled Live At Luna Park in November, and tour the UK in early 2014:

Feb 13:  Manchester O2 Apollo
Feb 14: London Wembley Arena
Feb 15: Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Tracklist

01. False Awakening Suite
I. Sleep Paralysis
II. Night Terrors
III. Lucid Dream
02. The Enemy Inside
03. The Looking Glass
04. Enigma Machine
05. The Bigger Picture
06. Behind The Veil
07. Surrender To Reason
08. Along For The Ride
09. Illumination Theory
I. Paradoxe de la Lumière Noire
II. Live, Die, Kill
III. The Embracing Circle
IV. The Pursuit of Truth
V. Surrender, Trust & Passion

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Leadon returns to Eagles

Bernie Leadon has returned to the Eagles for what could be their last world tour.

Speculation had been rife that the former guitarist – who quit in 1975 – would take the stage again with his ex-bandmates. He did just that at their first show in Louisville, Kentucky, at the weekend, taking part in a set that featured tracks they hadn’t performed in decades.

And Don Henley says Randy Meisner could have been present as well.

He tells Rolling Stone: “Bernie is definitely on this tour. Randy might have been too, but his current health will not permit. We’re all wishing him well.”

Meisner choked while eating earlier this year, resulting in lost consciousness and long-term damage – although he’s reported to be on the mend.

But there’s no chance of Don Felder returning to the fold in the near future. Henley says: “Since Mr Felder continues to engage in legal action of one kind or another against us, I can’t really say anything further about it.” Felder recently said he held no hard feelings over disagreements from the past.

Henley admits this could be the Eagles’ final road trip. “Covering the entire globe will take us about two years,” he says. “So by the time we get through this tour, it’ll be 2015 and we’ll all be in our late 60s. It’s been an incredible experience – but it may be time to say adios and bow out gracefully.”

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Jagger ‘makes best’ of undemanding career

Mick Jagger is proud of his achievements as frontman of the Rolling Stones – but he admits to sometimes wishing he’d followed another path.

He says his job is “undemanding” when compared to being a teacher, politician or journalist.

Ahead of the Stones’ long-awaited headline slot at Glastonbury tonight, Jagger tells the BBC: “I’m sure everyone wishes they’d tried to have been… I’d have been a dancer, if anything.

“A schoolteacher would have been very gratifying, I’m sure. There’s millions of things you would loved to have done – politician, journalist; I thought of being a journalist once.”

But he says he doesn’t suffer any regret. “You could think, ‘Well, I would have liked to have done that,’ but that’s completely pointless. Everyone wants to have done more things in their lives.

“I don’t feel frustrated for lack of control, and I’m very pleased with what I’ve done.”

He adds light-heartedly: “It’s a slightly intellectually undemanding thing to do, being a rock singer. But, you know, you make the best of it.”

Meanwhile, bandmate Keith Richards is looking forward to appearing on the iconic Glastonbutry Pyramid Stage this evening, because he feels the time is right.

“It’s almost as if you were finally destined to play Glastonbury,” he says. “There were many years when we were offered it, but we turned it down.

“I look upon it as a culmination of our British heritage – it had to be done, and it’s going to be done, and we’ll see what happens.”

Part of the Stones’ first-ever Glasto show will be broadcast on BBC Two at 10.30pm tonight, following a tense round of negotiations between the band and the broadcaster.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Iommi slates Sabbath ‘cheap thrill’ jibe

Tony Iommi has rejected the suggestion that Black Sabbath’s dark imagery is “disingenuous” and designed to be nothing more than a “cheap thrill” for fans.

And he says his biggest regret about the band’s career is the years they used cocaine, which eventually resulted in the firing of Ozzy Osbourne.

Asked if the band’s Satanic overtones came about, Iommi tells the BBC: “When we did the first album the record company did the cover, and that’s what done it – the inside was an upside-down cross and that’s what started everybody off.”

The guitarist denies the suggestion that the imagery is simply misleading, saying: “We believe in what we did. You can only judge by: we’ve been in it for 45 years. You answer it.”

Sabbath have been linked to murders and suicides by the mainstream press for decades, with bassist Geezer Butler’s lyrics frequently cited as inspiration for criminal acts. But Iommi says: “All I do is create music. I don’t create anything to destroy people or to upset anybody. It’s helped more people.

“The lyrics are what happens in the world. What Geezer would write about is what he’d seen and felt and what we were going through. Geezer said to me he had to write powerful lyrics to go with the powerful lyrics. It was probably my fault then!”

The band last week topped the album charts with 13, their first record with Osbourne since 1978′s Never Say Die. He was fired the following year as a result of his drink and drug issues – and Iommi admits that era is the part he most regrets about his career.

“I can’t change it, but there’s things you could have done in a different way,” he says of the years he spent using cocaine. “If I’d known then what I know now I wouldn’t have dabbled to that extent.

“It did a lot of damage. Initially we thought it was great and it was helping us create. When it came to the point we had to replace Ozzy we were in a bad way.”

Asked how the firing was handled, the cancer survivor recalls how drummer Bill Ward took control of the situation. “The drummer did it; he told him. We were going to tell him all together, but Bill stepped in.

“It was a terrible thing to do – but Ozzy wasn’t into it any more and he was doing too much of everything.”

The full HardTalk show is available to UK users via BBC iPlayer until 1am on Friday.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Floyd fan jailed for late-night album sessions

A 51-year-old Pink Floyd fan has been sentenced to 28 days in jail for repeatedly playing the band’s albums at high volume throughout the night.

Paul Foster, of Chesterton, Stoke-on-Trent, was put behind bars for having ignored five injunctions against playing loud music in recent years.

Neighbours reported they’d endured night after night of having to listen to The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall – followed by sessions of soul ballads.

One resident of Foster’s street tells SWNS: “It’s been a nightmare. I like Pink Floyd as much as the next man – but not when it’s being played ten times a day until 4am.

“I’ve lost track of the times I’ve heard Barry White and Marvin Gaye coming from the house, but it was mainly Pink Floyd. I think whenever I hear their songs again I’ll be climbing the walls.”

It’s been reported that one family moved out of the area after enduring the audio barrage from Foster, who’s lived in his house for over 20 years.

He first appeared in court last September and agreed to an undertaking of future conduct, which he breached in October and December. In January he was served with an injunction banning him from causing nuisance noise, but broke it in February and March.

In April, a couple in Sweden aged 81 and 71 were charged with harassment after playing Iron Maiden track Afraid To Shoot Strangers through speakers directed towards a neighbour’s home until 4am.

source:  classicrockmagazine.com