Anarchy Music

2008-04-02T03:37:39Z

Interview with Blessthefall's Mike Frisby and Jared Warth
by Sara Eckman

]]> Taste Of Chaos is back out again this year, with an incredible line-up including Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, Bullet For My valentine, MUCC, D'espairsRay, The Underneath, and our friends Blessthefall! A lot has gone down with Blessthefall since we last spoke with them. Their vocalist Craig Mabbitt left and joined Escape The Fate and the band has started work on a new album. Our girl Sara Eckman visited with Jared Warth (bassist, acting vocalist), and Mike Frisby (guitarist) to get the scoop on the TOC tour, and the bands future.

Sara Eckman: How has Taste of Chaos been so far?

Mike Frisby : Um so far its been quite the experience, we came into it thinking it was gonna be a little bit different and we kinda had to adjust the first week, but ever since then we’ve kinda gotten into the groove of things it’s been the most fun tour we’ve ever done.

Sara: TOC is really different from just tours with like one or two other bands so what’s different about it and what do you like about it?

Mike: The way it kinda works is that you have to get up really early and find your merch spot and we did Warped Tour and with Warped we were up every day at like nine or ten o’clock so we thought since these shows were later we would be able to get here at like two and rest and sleep in but that’s not the case. You gotta wake up early and come and get stuff done.

Jared Warth: Yeah, but it’s really laid back

Sara: Yeah, well that’s defiantly a good thing. I know that you, Jared are singing on this tour, so how do you feel about that?

Jared: Yes, I am…well for me it’s like a little different because I’m not really the most talkative person in the band so talking to crowds is kind of intense for me.

Sara: Is this really difficult for you to get up on stage?

Jared: Um at first it was but now I’m just like whatever about it and Eric does the clean vocals so I don’t really have to worry about that part.

Sara: So what is the deal with the singer situation? Where are you guys with that?

Jared: Um there’s a couple of people we have in mind right now, were not set on anybody yet but we’re just looking around going slow, we don’t wanna rush into it.

Sara: Yeah, well with all of the shit going on how is your relationship with Craig? Have you guys talked? Was it kind of a bad breakup?

Mike: Um no, not at all. For a while there was a little bit of bad tension and then I’ve talked to him quite a few times and it seems like there is a friendship so…we wish him the best of luck in what he does and I’m sure he wishes us luck too.

Sara: I know that y’all are working on a new album, how has the song writing process been different without a real set lead singer? I guess Jared is singing in that too..?

Jared: Um right now we don’t have any set vocals so I’m still gonna be doing some screams like I did on the last album maybe a little more this time but as for the vocals we don’t have set in stone yet.

Mike: Everything we’ve written so far has been instrumental except for the new track we play every night which him and Eric kinda just got together and did.

Sara: Yeah, I know you guys are playing that for the first time on this tour and it obviously has lyrics and everything so was that process just completely different without a lead singer?

Jared: Um not really we wrote the instruments, like for the first time ever we got together and wrote the song as a band and just kinda jammed it out, and Eric had kind of a song in mind that he wanted to write about so he just took it himself and made the melodies and took it to Mike and Mike helped him and he just kinda showed me his ideas for the screaming and we just went from there.

Mike: It wasn’t too bad because myself, Eric and Jared have always been a part of vocals too so we’ve always been there to help out with the melodies that needed to be helped on and stuff like that.

Sara: Can you tell me a little about the album? What direction are you going in?

Jared: Um I don’t know, I think in my opinion it’s heavier and not so many break downs but just the whole vibe of it is much more intense and I think that it’s more of that darker feeling but there’s still like that pop-feeling to it.

Sara: With this tour you guys already said that it was really hectic and you guys have to wake up early so is there anything with a tour of this magnitude difficult?

Mike: No not really, I just wake up and do the same thing everyday so, for me right now I’m a robot.

Sara: So after this you guys are gonna go work on the album or what are yall up to?

Mike: Yeah after this tour I think we have a week off and we’re just gonna spend that with family and friends because we’ve been gone for so long, and then we head out to Bamboozle which is this festival in New Jersey and we do five shows out there and then once we come back from that which will be mid-May we’re gonna write the other half of the album

Sara: What are your thoughts on all the J-rock bands on this tour? What do you think of their style of music on this tour?

Jared: I think it’s awesome! I think it’s totally different, like I hear their whole scene back home is way different from international touring bands so my opinion is really awesome just to see like different bands coming together and making a show and they’re really, really nice people. Really, really humble so it’s pretty awesome.

Sara: Message for the fans?

Mike: Just bare with us and hopefully you’ll like all the new stuff we’re coming out with and come see us at one of the Taste of Chaos shows.

Jared: Cheers!

2008-03-26T23:06:53Z

DISTURBED HITS THE ROAD IN APRIL FOR U.S TOUR
LIVE SHOWS LEAD UP TO ALBUM RELEASE OF INDESTRUCTIBLE ON JUNE 3RD

]]> March 20, 2008 — Burbank, CA — Reprise Records best-selling hard-rock band Disturbed will hit the road for a series of tour dates that lead up to the June 3rd release of forthcoming album, Indestructible. The tour kicks off on April 26th in Little Rock, Arkansas at Edgefest, and criss-crosses the country for three weeks before concluding at the Rock on the Range festival on May 17th in Columbus, Ohio.

Indestructible, the self-produced follow-up to the Chicago quartet’s 2005 RIAA-certified platinum Ten Thousand Fists, is Disturbed’s fourth studio album. Known for their punishingly powerful music and frontman David Draiman’s passionate, socially conscious lyrics, Disturbed has sold a collective 10 million copies worldwide of their three albums — 2000’s RIAA-certified triple-platinum The Sickness, 2002’s Billboard album chart-topper Believe, and their second consecutive Number One Ten Thousand Fists — since forming in Chicago in 1996.

This summer, Disturbed, which also features guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bassist John Moyer, will co-headline the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival — a riotous road show featuring some of hard rock’s most influential artists. Disturbed will join Slipknot, Dragonforce, and Mastodon on the mainstage. The band recently visited U.S. troops in Kuwait where they performed as part of Operation MySpace - a special concert event for those serving in the Middle East - which was viewed by over 3 million via MySpace’s live simulcast.

Tickets for Disturbed’s spring tour dates go on-sale Friday, March 21st.

Disturbed tour dates are as follows:
4/26 Little Rock, AR@ Edgefest at North Shore River Walk Park East
4/27 Wichita, KS @Cotillion
4/29 Amarillo, TX @Aztec Music Hall
4/30 Tulsa, OK @Cain's
5/2 Springfield, MO @Shrine Mosque
5/3 Memphis, TN @Beale Street Music Festival
5/5 Myrtle Beach, SC @House of Blues
5/6 Knoxville, TN @Valarium
5/8 Orlando, FL @House of Blues
5/9 Birmingham, AL @Sloss Furnace
5/11 Richmond, VA, @The National
5/12 Atlantic City, NJ @House of Blues
5/14 Cincinnati, OH @Bogart's
5/15 Ft. Wayne, IN @Piere's
5/17 Columbus, OH @ Rock on The Range at Crew Stadium

www.disturbed1.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k5A2fhANw0

2008-03-20T20:45:38Z

Drive By To Release New CD April 8th; Catch Them On Tour With My Chemical Romance And At Bamboozle Left

]]> Drive By will be releasing their new album "A Delicate Situation" on April 8th 2008 through Riot Squad Records. You can stream the whole thing now at:

http://ilike.com/artist/Drive+By/.

The band will be on tour this Spring with My Chemical Romance and Billy Talent. Head on over to www.DriveByWorld.com for more info.

Also be sure to check out:

TV Spot/Teaser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wzVyu6y8Ew

and Video Blog from Todd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eRIIBEBz6U

Drive By On Tour:
Mar 17: Bakersfield, CA - The Zone
Mar 24: Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction
Mar 25: Modesto, CA - Sidelines
Mar 27: Flagstaff, AZ - Studio 111

w/ My Chemical Romance & Billy Talent
Mar 28: Tempe, AZ - Tempe Music Festival
Mar 29: Tuscon, AZ - Rialto Theatre
Mar 30: Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
Mar 31: Las Vegas, NV - The Joint
Apr 2: San Jose, CA - San Jose Civic Center
Apr 3: San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
Apr 4: San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
Apr 6: Irvine, CA- Bamboozle Left
Apr 8: Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Apr 9: Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Apr 11: Salt Lake City, UT - The Great Salt Air Theatre
Apr 14: Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium
Apr 15: Kansas City, KS - Memorial Hall
Apr 17: Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre
Apr 18: Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre
Apr 19: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Apr 20: Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Apr 22: Cleveland, OH - The Agora Theatre
Apr 24: New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Apr 27: Dallas, TX - Edgefest?
Apr 28: Austin, TX - Stubbs Amphitheatre
Apr 30: Birmingham, AL - Sloss Furnace
May 3: St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
May 4: Columbus, OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavillion
May 6: Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
May 7: Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
May 9: New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

2008-03-20T20:44:15Z

SEVENDUST ANNOUNCES TOUR DATES WITH SALIVA…“CHAPTER VII: HOPE & SORROW” STREETS APRIL 1!!!

]]>

Hard rockers Sevendust have announced a spring tour, kicking off in Port St. Lucie, FL on April 9th. Saliva, Neverset, and Overscene will be on the tour for the first leg, which runs through May 3rd in South Bend, IN. Black Stone Cherry will join the tour May 3-17, those dates will be announced on Friday.

Sevendust is touring to support the upcoming album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow, which is being released April 1 on 7Bros. Records in conjunction with Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group. The album was produced by Sean Groove, Morgan Rose & John Connolly in Atlanta, GA at Tree Sounds Studios. Hope & Sorrow will be their second release on the band’s wholly owned record label.

The album features guest appearances from vocalist Chris Daughtry, as well as Mark Tremonti and Miles Kennedy from Alter Bridge.

Don’t miss Sevendust live on tour and be sure to pick up the band’s upcoming album, Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow, on April 1!!!

Sevendust Spring 2008 Tour Dates:

4/09 – Port St. Lucie, FL – Mojo Room *No Saliva

4/10 – Ft. Myers, FL – Ricochet *No Saliva

4/12 – Panama City, FL – Club LaVela *No Saliva

4/13 – Hattiesburg, MS – Remington’s

4/15 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues

4/17 – Richmond, VA – The National

4/18 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock

4/19 – Hampton Beach, NH – Casino Ballroom

4/20 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

4/23 – Jackson, TN – Carl Perkins Civic Center

4/24 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s

4/25 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s

4/26 – Little Rock, AR – Rock On The Range Festival

4/28 – Wichita Falls, TX – Kay Yeager Coliseum

4/29 – Lubbock, TX – The Pavilion

5/01 – Nashville, TN – City Hall

5/02 – Louisville, KY – Derby Outdoor Show

5/03 – South Bend, IN – Club Fever

2008-03-20T20:40:31Z

THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA Suffers From a String of Bad Luck Yet Doesn’t Miss a Beat!

]]>

Down-home boys, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, are fighting a string of bad luck while touring with Beneath the Massacre, See You Next Tuesday and Born of Osiris. A mere two weeks into the tour, TTDTE, has battled a blown transmission, three blown tires, and just recently was involved in an accident that totaled their new van. Determined not to let this crippling string of events get them down, TTDTE trudges on, not wanting to disappoint fans.

After abandoning their van in a graveyard in Lewisville, TX, close friend of TTDTE, Lina Dykes, agreed to loan the band a van so they can finish their trek across the U.S. “The wreck has not stopped us from delivering the chart-topping hits,” quips TTDTE guitarist, Layne Meylain. “After everything that has happened we haven’t missed a show. That’s something to be proud of, “ continued Meylain.

TTDTE is counting on the support of their fans more than ever. “By coming out the remaining shows, showing support, buying cds and shirts either from us or our IndieMerchStore, our fans can make a huge difference in us overcoming this string of bad luck,” says Meylain.

The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza w/ Beneath the Massacre, See You Next Tuesday & Born of Osiris
3/19 Albuquerque, NM @ The Compound
3/20 Phoenix, AZ @ Cell Block
3/21 San Marcos, CA @ The Jumping Turtle
3/22 San Bernardino, CA @ The Hudson Theater
3/24 Bakersfield, CA @ The Dome
3/25 Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky
3/26 Fresno, CA @ The Exit
3/27 San Jose, CA @ San Jose Skate
3/28 Boise, ID @ The Venue
3/29 Logan, UT @ Club NVO
3/30 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
3/31 Wichita, KS @ Eagles Lodge
4/1 Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
4/2 Milwaukee, WI @ Miramar Theatre
4/3 Louisville, KY @ Uncle Pleasants
4/4 Detroit, MI @ The Hayloft
4/5 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's

Check out the TTDTE merch store at:
http://www.indiemerchstore.com/thetonydanzatap

To check out music from TTDTE visit:
http://www.ttdte.com
http://www.myspace.com/tonydanzatapdanceextravaganza

2008-03-20T18:59:02Z

Interview with Bloodsimple vocalist Tim Williams
By Sara Eckman

]]> Sara Eckman is a longtime reader of the site, and our latest contributor. To start things off with her, we threw her right into the fiery pits of Metal with Bloodsimple! The band has a killer new album out called Red Harvest and is kicking as all over the world. Sara spoke with vocalist Tim Williams about the album, and here's how it went...

Sara Eckman: So I listened to yall’s music after I found out I was interviewing you and it’s really different so where do you get your inspiration from?

Tim Williams: Well one of the biggest differences is uh inspirations would be to stay different. Like, ya know stay within the confines of heavy metal, hardcore, whatever the hell you wanna call us but, defiantly switch it up, throw some curve balls, just to keep it interesting. I don’t know if your familiar with our history, but we’ve all been doin’ this for ya know bout 15 years. So six records in ya just can’t do the same shit every fuckin’ time. We always try to stay ahead of the curve and do the best we can, and then stay true to the fan base we have and maybe try and grow.

Sara: So how do you prepare going into making a new album?

Tim: Shut off the outside world just go in there and write what feels right, ya know it’s important to have fun with the studio because the studio can get very sterol and uh enjoy it.

Sara: One of the songs that I really liked was “Out to get you” what is that about?

Tim: “Out to get you” is based on a book actually um we had the song, the music of it basically the nut of it and we had some verses done and stuff like that, and we were really having problems getting the chorus done properly, you want the chorus to be big! And we were having problems, so I was reading a book called “Go Ask Alice” and basically that whole song is based on that book. Ya know what that girl went through and all the experiences she had, and I read the whole book I mean I crammed like within 9 hours because I really wanted to write something cool for this song. And uh pretty much that’s how we did it.

Sara: So what’s your favorite part of performing every night?

Tim: The live show. That’s it. Because everything else fucking drags like a motherfucker. But, for that half hour or 40 minutes, how ever long your up there for and you get a good crowd reaction, you get some halfway decent stage sound… its on and everything goes away and if you have a really good show its almost therapeutic, you feel really clean and really fresh afterwards and that’s pretty much why I still do it.

Sara: So what are the downsides of this business?

Tim: The business itself. It’s a tricky business. It really, really is there is a lot of competition, and at this day in age with the internet the label is really takin’ a hit. Money wise it’s getting harder and harder in certain ways for certain level bands to make a move and that’s pretty depressing in a way. But the whole downside of this business is unfortunately the artist can only do so much to really get where you wanna go you have to depend on other people. Sometimes those people, more times than not, will let you down. And then it’s out of your hands.

Sara: So do you think that depending on the type of music that you do also effects how popular you’re gonna become with people?

Tim: If your in a pop-punk band and your halfway decent and you hit it right your gonna be huge for a little while. Heavier bands generally takes longer depending on the climb which isn’t a bad thing, you’ll have a longer career that way. It defiantly effects what band your in Fall Out Boy ya know they were hardcore kinds to begin with so that’s cool but then they fit a perfect package and they exploded and if that’s what you want in a life then they got it pretty good with that. That’s what you get but you have to decide if that’s what you want.

Sara: So out of everyone you have gone on tour with who was your favorite group to tour with?

Tim: We’ve been on tour with almost everybody uh Stonesour was awesome Alice in Chains was phenomenal, Slayer was awesome. Mudvane all those guys. I don’t want to offend anybody, we have toured with Disturbed it was a lot of fun the Jagermeister tour was really cool.

Sara: How did each of you get introduced to music as a kid?

Tim: Ever sense I can remember I’ve always liked music and I’ve been super obsessed with certain bands like Motley Crew and then it was like U2 then The Doors just completely blew open everything. That was what really made me want to get into this whole business ya know just feeling that the music came to you the free spirit-ness. And all of those things combined, that’s what really got me into it.

Sara: What are some of the influences for some of your music? Bands? Friends? Family?

Tim: I mean this is part of my job ya know? All the stuff going on around me, what’s goin’ on in the world, stressful situations, this is all just like what I said earlier in the interview, it’s like the live show it’s therapeutic. Channeling all that negative energy out through heavy aggressive music, all the negative stuff around me getting put into the music.

Sara: what were some of the bands you listened to growing up? I know you mentioned The Doors and U2.

Tim: Alice in Chains is another one.

Sara: yeah, so would you draw inspiration from them when you first started?

Tim: Yeah! The three biggest influences to this day are Pantera, The Doors, and Alice in Chains. On me at least, I mean those are the three there are billions of others but those are the major ones.

Sara: Who would you all like to tour with in the future?

Tim: Slipknot, we did some work with the Deftones I would love to go on a tour with those guys. Any of the bands we’ve already toured with I would tour with again. That would be a lot of fun but first to come to mind would be Slipknot, that would be pretty ridiculous.

Sara: Yeah, that would be awesome. What are the plans after this tour?

Tim: I think a well-deserved break, because we’re all pretty burned out. We’ve been on the rode, not to long, but probably five months. And we’ve been home here and there for that but after this the holidays are coming up so we’re shutting down shop for a while next year something will come are way and if we see its worth it, then we’ll wind up back out here to do it.

Sara: Even with all the travel are you just writing new material all the time or do you go in right before you’re supposed to make an album write the music?

Tim: You have no time to write on the road, you play music, you breathe music, the last thing you wanna do is go write music. Sure we jam around a ‘lil bit but nothing significant. But then after the tour is over and its studio time we get right into it. Ya know facing a record for the first time can be intimidating. It’s like what the hell are you gonna do? But before you know it you have seven or eight songs, and the next thing you know you have fourteen and you’re cutting songs.

Sara: What’s your favorite song to play live and why?

Tim: I like the new ones because the old ones I have played for fucking two years ever goddamn night! But they’re still cool. But I like playing Dead Man Walking a lot. That’s always a good one, it’s real smooth, got a good beat.

Sara: What you said about the old songs, do you still get pumped every night to perform in front of a new crowd?

Tim: With the music we play if you don’t get pumped you’re gonna throw your back out or something. Ya know go do some stretches go lift some weights with me and my buddy, then you start drinking beer and by the time the show comes around you’re pumped, you’re ready. When you have a packed house it’s hard not to get excited. Last night was a perfect example Memphis Tennessee we didn’t know exactly how that was going to go...but this fuckin’ place was just packed.

Sara: There is a movie called Bloodsimple. I don’t know if you knew that but did you all get your name form that?

Tim: We’re big Cohen Brothers fans but I’m not gonna say we took the name from that but we liked the name even more because we love all their movies. But two of us were in a band before with a long name so we knew right off the bat that we wanted a short name. The one day we were like Bloodsimple and it just hit.

Sara: well that’s all I have so thank you so much!

Tim: Oh you’re welcome!

2008-01-08T22:48:41Z

Every Time I Die Tour Kick off

]]> Buffalo’s EVERY TIME I DIE are set to hit the road WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9th alongside Killswitch Engage, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Parkway Drive. The band has issued a statement with regards to the absence of their drummer Michael Novak on this run:

“We here at Every Time I Die INC. regret to inform you that Michael "Ratboy/ Red Nuff/ Nuff Daddy/ Ol Hundreds" Novak will not be taking part in our upcoming tour with Killswitch Engage. He has suffered a very painful back injury while slam dunking a basketball at the park. Fortunately a wonderful gentleman by the name of Steve Bache from He Is Legend will be filling in drumming duties. We hope that Mike recovers quickly and is both behind his kit and back on the court in no time. See you soon. Love ETID”

Here are the upcoming dates on the tour; which will be immediately followed up with EVERY TIME I DIE on the TAKE ACTION TOUR.

1/09 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock

1/10 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

1/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo

1/12 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s

1/14 – Miami Beach, FL – The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason

1/15 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues

1/16 – Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle

1/17 – Raleigh, NC – Disco Rodeo

1/21 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel

1/22 – Nashville, TN – City Hall

1/23 – Little Rock, AR – The Village

1/24 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion

1/25 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom

1/26 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant

1/28 – Columbus, OH – The LC Pavilion

1/29 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues

1/30 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s

1/31 – Rochester, NY – Harro East Ballroom

2/01 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

2/02 – Richmond, VA – Toad’s Place

2/04 – Johnson City, NY – Magic City Music Hall

2/05 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre

www.myspace.com/everytimeidie

2008-01-08T22:45:23Z

Machine Head Nominated for Grammy

]]> (New York, NY) The San Francisco Bay Area’s finest Machine Head have garnered the first Grammy nomination of their imperishable career for “Aesthetics Of Hate,” a monstrous track from the critically hailed The Blackening, released in March 2007. The song is nominated for “Best Metal Performance.”

“Aesthetics Of Hate,” an anthemic song built around a firestorm of riffs, was inspired by an article of the same name that appeared on a popular neo-conservative website that addressed the on-stage shooting of legendary Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, by attacking him as an “untalented possessor of a guitar,” and his fans as “pathetic and ugly.” While “Aesthetics Of Hate” isn’t about Dimebag per se, it is a mighty metallic reaction to the author’s skewed perception of the metal scene.

The Grammy nomination proves that Machine Head - who since the mid-90’s have been one of the most credible and influential metal bands of all time - continue to make relevant music deep into their career. Blender described The Blackening as “a head-banging epic of the type unseen since Metallica’s …And Justice for All, and The Blackening was in the #1, or top #5 Album of the Year spot in nearly every metal magazine throughout the world. It was the #1 Most Spun album of 2007 on the FMQB Metal Detector year-end radio chart and was voted “Album Of The Year” by the radio stations themselves. The record also cleaned up at both the U.K. based Metal Hammer Awards and the highly influential 2007 Kerrang! Awards ceremonies, where The Blackening was named “Album Of The Year” over such artists as My Chemical Romance and Lamb Of God.

Band frontman/guitarist Robb Flynn added, “We are completely blown away, and honored by this. It’s incredible that the anger of this song has connected with so many people. It proves to Dimebag’s detractors, the positive impact he had on his fans and fellow bands alike.”

2008-01-08T22:40:39Z

BUCKCHERRY AND THE T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION RAISE OVER 13K FOR CHARITY

]]> A Day In The Studio with Buckcherry Experience Auctioned Off For Charity By The T.J Martell Foundation

Los Angeles, CA (January 7, 2008) – 10th Street Entertainment in conjunction with The T.J. Martell Foundation raised $13,100 by auctioning off a Day in the Studio experience on eBay with Eleven Seven Music/Atlantic Recording artists Buckcherry. Proceeds will go to Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research. The auction ran for one week with over 1,000 views and 35 bids.

The lucky winner, Denver Schutz from Northern California, and a guest will spend the day with Buckcherry in the studio as they record the follow up to their current release “15” and will also receive round-trip coach airfare courtesy of Continental Airlines from any major U.S. city, two nights accommodations from a leading Four Star Hollywood or Beverly Hills hotel, and two days use of a Mercedes Benz C300 courtesy of Midway Car Rental. As a memento to remember this experience, the band will also present the winning bidder with a brand-new autographed guitar.

Said Josh Todd of Buckcherry, “Anytime you have the opportunity to do something really great to help out other people, you should do it. We’re honored to be a part of this and give to charity.”

Buckcherry’s “15” has proven a huge achievement for the band who went from a sales base of less than 150,000 on their previous album to hearing RIAA platinum certification for sales above 1 million units on its current release. The album has remained on the Billboard 200 for a remarkable 89 weeks, and has also proven that Buckcherry are multi-format hit-makers, having reached the upper echelons of the rock, alternative and now the Hot/AC & pop charts. “Sorry,” the fifth and most recent single from the album, is currently ascending the top 12 at Hot AC outlets nationwide, while also climbing at #23 at CHR/Top 40. The band recently celebrated a major milestone in Las Vegas at The House of Blues performing their 300th live show in support of “15.”

All proceeds from the Day in the Studio with Buckcherry Experience Auction will benefit the life-saving research conduced at eight leading research facilities, including Children’s Hospital L.A., The Mayo Clinic, Vanderbilt-Ingram, Columbia Presbyterian Cancer Center, and others. The T.J. Martell Foundation has auctioned off many celebrity experiences for charity on eBay such as a Day In The Studio with Metallica, front row Bon Jovi concert tickets, tickets and stage access for the 2004 through 2007 Vans Warped Tour, autographed instruments, as well as other experiences with top bands and recording artists.

2007-12-21T23:30:06Z

PENNYWISE…FREE TO THE PEOPLE BAND INKS LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH MYSPACE RECORDS TO GIVE AWAY UPCOMING CD FOR FREE ON MARCH 20

]]> PENNYWISE…FREE TO THE PEOPLE

BAND INKS LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP WITH MYSPACE RECORDS
TO GIVE AWAY UPCOMING CD FOR FREE IN MARCH 2008

Back in 2001, PENNYWISE called their album Land Of The Free? (the question mark pointed out the inequities of modern existence).

Now, in 2008, PENNYWISE--one of punk's most credible and influential bands, who've sold over three million albums worldwide--will be giving away their next album for FREE. Beginning March 25, 2008, fans around the world will be able to obtain a high quality, DRM-free download from MySpace for a period of two weeks. Longtime PENNYWISE fan and seasoned producer Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Motorhead, Sum 41) has signed on to produce and mix the upcoming CD.

This music industry precedent is a result of the collaboration between the seminal Southern California punk band, their new label MySpace Records, MySpace.com and Textango (provider of creative solutions for distributing music via text messaging). This marks the first time a U.S. record label has provided an artist with the opportunity to offer a new album free of charge and the first time MySpace has offered a full album download with a worldwide push.

On the same day, PENNYWISE and MySpace Records will also release an enhanced CD/DVD version of the as-yet-untitled disc to retail outlets for sale, with the CD containing the same songs as the downloadable version. There will also be a vinyl version available with two extra exclusive tracks.

To download the album for free beginning March 25, 2008, users simply have to add promotional partner "Textango" (www.myspace.com/textango) as a MySpace friend (anyone can create a MySpace account for free).

"We know that this will piss off a lot of people in the music industry," says guitarist FLETCHER DRAGGE, "and what do we say to that? 'Who cares?' We've been pissing people off for 18 years. Why stop now? We have been telling people to get our records by any mean necessary for 17 years. As a band, we decided that it was time to come to terms with the facts. There are a lot of people out there who want their music for free, so we got proactive and with the help of MySpace Records and Textango we found away to make it happen...we couldn't be more stoked…PENNYWISE FREE TO THE PEOPLE."

Says lead vocalist JIM LINDBERG: "I think for a band like ours that has put out eight albums already, it's a great way to give back to our fans for their support over the years. We can also potentially expose our music and message to people around the world who may have never had the opportunity to hear it because they either couldn't afford to buy a CD or they didn't have access to music outlets or good distribution. It's a way for us to instantly expand our music into places it's never been before. Maybe there's someone in Sri Lanka that is a huge Pennywise fan but just doesn't know it yet."

Adds FLETCHER: "All on the same day--March 25--you will be able to go out and buy our new record, download it and then go buy it, or just download it for free and sit back and check it out. How cool is that…an option for all ways of thinking?"

"Getting it for free is like being able to take something for a test drive," says JIM. "There will be some extras that come with the actual physical CD and a few bonus tracks on the vinyl version which we think will help get more people going into their local independent record stores."

The upcoming disc from PENNYWISE--JIM LINDBERG (vocals), FLETCHER DRAGGE (guitars), BYRON MCMACKIN (drums) and RANDY BRADBURY (bass)--will mark their ninth studio album after having enjoyed a successful lengthy relationship with Epitaph, where they released their self-titled debut album in 1991. The new album "will be a combination of what our fans expect from us with a few curveballs thrown in here and there," says JIM. "We have to be happy with what we're doing before anyone else, so it will all be about trying to challenge ourselves."

2007-12-21T20:35:03Z

BLACK TIDE’S DEBUT ALBUM – “LIGHT FROM ABOVE” TO BE RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 26!!!

]]> Miami rockers Black Tide are proud to announce a February 26 release date for their debut album, “Light From Above.” The album will be released on Interscope Records. Black Tide recorded the album at Chicago’s Groovemaster Studios, with Johnny K (Disturbed, Machine Head, Soil) producing.

Black Tide’s music draws from the best hard rock and thrash from the 80s, while giving it a 21st century kick up the ass. “Shockwave,” the band’s calling card and the album’s opening track, is an utter classic — all bloody-knuckled thrash riffs, squealing guitars, rampaging drums, in-your-face vocals and an instantly memorable chorus.

The rest of Light From Above is up to the same impressive standard; anthemic, take-no-prisoners tracks like “Shout,” “Black Abyss,” “Let Me,” “Live Fast Die Young,” the Maiden-esque “Warriors of Time” and their spot-on cover of Metallica’s “Hit The Lights” will punch any metal fan squarely in their pleasure centers.

Black Tide are wrapping up a successful run with Avenged Sevenfold, and are gearing up for what promises to be a HUGE year in 2008! Look out for “Light From Above” when it hits streets on February 26.

2007-12-20T17:48:01Z

Book review: Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me by Pattie Boyd
By Janeen "darklighter"

]]> Probably the greatest muse in rock music was Pattie Boyd, wife of both Beatle George Harrison and Eric Clapton, two very famous and respected musicians. Oh how Pattie was envied for being the inspiration of some of the greatest love songs like Something, Layla and Wonderful Tonite. My God! Everyone knows those songs. But since life is what it is and sometimes fairy tales don't come true there was not the romantic happy ending that should have been. In Wonderful Tonight Pattie recalls her unorthodox childhood in Kenya, her early foray into modeling, meeting and marrying George and having Eric Clapton falling in love with her too and carrying a torch for her for a long time till she left George for him. Pattie met George on the set of A Hard Day's Night and were together shortly after in what at first was an idyllic life. They both were heavily into meditation and yes there were drugs around. But it seemed when the Beatles real guru Brian Epstein died that the whole dynamics of the Beatles and their lives really changed. While Pattie and George still seemed to love one another George did start cheating on her and when Eric Clapton came on the scene and professed his love than the next stage of Pattie’s life began. At first the move was written in the stars but soon afterwards Eric’s drinking combined with his numerous on the road affairs and ultimately having a child with someone else while Pattie wasn’t able to conceive broke the marriage up. My feeling with the book is that Pattie regretted leaving George who was still supportive to Pattie and he was truly her great love. But otherwise Pattie has no regrets and with her photography career has finally come onto her own full circle.

Eric Clapton has written a candid and absorbing book about his life so far and has not left anything out it seems. Sometimes it’s so truthful it hurts. Raised by his grandparents Eric at first was led to believe they were his mom and dad and his mother his sister. Otherwise Eric’s childhood, growing up in a small English town was typically being a mischief maker and at one point getting Tyrone Power’s autograph (I’m really jealous here!) because a famous actress lived in the same area. He also developed an interest in music and his grandparents bought him his first guitar. Not exactly a virtuoso at first Eric struggles with learning how to play but he avidly pursued it and when old enough went to the big city to hone his craft. He joined the Yardbirds for a bit then went on to John Mayall’s band the Bluesbreakers. Eric also developed a fondness for drugs which is a recurring struggle for the most part of the book. By the time him and Pattie Boyd got together there were attempts to get himself straight, in his own words “My relationship with Pattie was not the incredibly romantic affair it has been portrayed as being.” Eric called Pattie Nell was Eric’s way of separating her from the fact that she was George Harrison’s ex and a new identity for her. As much as he first loved Pattie Eric’s demon addictions got in the way. And also the fact that one of his extra conquests became pregnant with his child who was ultimately Connor. Although there were good times at first the extra marital affairs took it’s toll on Patty and the thought of him having a child with another when she was unable to have was the last straw of the camel’s back and the relationship fizzled. A whole chapter is devoted to Connor’s brief life and the tragedy that befell the young child. It was also the catalyst to Eric turning his life around and becoming sober. He ultimately started his own rehab center, found spirituality and happiness as a husband and father. Clapton’s autobiography is honest and very well written and he’s written things that I found shocking. I can’t believe he was still able to cope and put out such great music and musicianship while in his struggles but he did and that’s why he is to be admired. One of the best autobiographies I ever read is Clapton.

2007-12-20T17:33:48Z

The Fourth Annual Rockstar Taste of Chaos Announces a Stellar 2008 Lineup and Tour Dates

]]>

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

ATREYU

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

BLESSTHEFALL

PLUS

JROCK Invades America with performances by

MUCC

D'ESPAIRSRAY

THE UNDERNEATH

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK continues as TITLE SPONSOR
Fuse Television, Alternative Press and MySpace Are Announced as Media Partners

Tour to Kick Off February 29, 2008 in DENVER

BURBANK, CA -- December 20, 2007 -- After over 200 worldwide dates in the past three years, playing in over 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Japan, France, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy among others. Rockstar Taste of Chaos, the only worldwide lifestyle festival tour, is back with another onslaught of winter arena shows in North America.

The tour is scheduled to hit 43 cities in the U.S. and Canada between late February and late April 2008. Canadian dates will be released in January 2008. The multi-artist package in the U.S.A. and Canada will feature AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ATREYU, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, BLESS THE FALL and this year we are proud to bring audiences the best Japanese Rock bands to the United States (a burgeoning movement also known as JROCK). The JROCK explosion will include MUCC, D’ESPAIRSRAY and THE UNDERNEATH. Bellingham, Washington group IDIOT PILOT will play two special sets every night in each venue concourse.

Million-selling artist AVENGED SEVENFOLD will head up closing the night with their unique brand of rock. It’s the band’s maverick spirit and rabid fan base that has helped A7X do what few bands before have accomplished – to become the only band to headline Warped Tour and Ozzfest and be No. 1 on MTV’s TRL at the same time. Avenged Sevenfold knows that it’s a combination of the power of their music along with the dedication of their fans that has propelled them to where they are today. Says frontman M. Shadows, “We have the best fans in the world.”

ATREYU is touring in support of their blistering new album LEAD SAILS PAPER ANCHOR, which entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 8 and Billboard’s Rock and Hard Rock Album charts at No. 1. The powerhouse album has garnered rave reviews from the likes of Revolver, Blender, Metal Hammer and Kerrang!.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, who will release their new album in early 2008, hails from England and has become one of the most popular hard music bands around the globe.

BLESSTHEFALL was clearly the most popular new band on the 2007 Van's Warped Tour and were hand picked by the tour founders to bring their fiery live show to the RTOC stage.

“As a tour it is so amazing for us to see how far AVENGED SEVENFOLD have come and the fact that they have done the hard work necessary to go from clubs to arenas. They have built their career through hard work and great songs.” states tour producers Kevin Lyman and John Reese.

“ATREYU performed on the 2006 RTOC in the USA and have performed numerous times on the Van’s Warped Tour and have proven themselves as a huge headlining draw in hard rock venues all over the World.” states Kevin Lyman

In announcing the JROCK Revolution coming to America, Kevin Lyman states "After having a chance to be involved with introducing DIR EN GREY to American audiences and working on the successful JROCK Revolution Festival with Yoshiki last May in Los Angeles, I felt that the fans across the U.S. would really appreciate a chance to have these bands come to their cities. When I have worked these shows the energy of the bands and the fan involvement is amazing and is rarely captured at shows in America these days and this is going to be an amazing opportunity for all in attendance."

ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK will continue to be the title sponsor of the 2008 tour and will be sampling their products, as well as coming up with some great surprises for attendees. Other sponsors include Hurley, PETA 2, Hard Rock Café, Hot Topic, Vans, Tokyo Pop, Skull Candy, Shirts for a Cure, Sugar Hooker, Music Saves Lives, The Dingstore.com, Declare Yourself and Ernie Ball (who will provide musical instruments for fans to play and will pick the opening act through their massively successful Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands). FUSE Television, JROCKRevolution.com, MySpace and Alternative Press (who will produce the Official Tour Program) have signed on as official Rockstar Taste of Chaos media partners. The Canadian Leg sponsors include West 49, D-Tox and Vexy.

The Internet pre-sale for the 2008 edition of the Rockstar Taste of Chaos will begin January 5, 2008 at www.rockstartasteofchaos.com in conjunction with MUSIC TODAY. The national on sale will take place on Saturday January 12, 2008.

Having already spawned multiple soundtrack CDs and a Live DVD, the Rockstar Taste of Chaos, like its summer sibling the Van's Warped Tour, is only getting bigger and better, offering fans the opportunity to see their favorite bands and take part in a number of concourse activities including playing the newest video games, acoustic performances, attending autograph signing sessions and a slew of interactive fan activities that will add to the experience.

Tour co-founders Kevin Lyman, Darryl Eaton and John Reese state, "We are very excited about the great bands and concourse activities planned for the 2008 North American Tour, as in years past we want to bring Music Fans a BIG show at a very reasonable price. The RTOC has become an important event on music fans’ calendars in the long, cold winter in the U.S. and Canada."

Rockstar Energy Drink Marketing guru Mike Kelso states,” We are very proud to be the title sponsor again for the 2008 Rockstar Taste of Chaos. Rockstar Energy Drink is committed to supporting live music and to bringing rock fans a great show at a reasonable price. The Rockstar Taste of Chaos has been our marquee music presentation for the past three years and we look forward to a great year in 2008.”

Hurley Sr. VP Paul Gomez states, “Hurley looks forward to RTOC every year. The RTOC team always brings the best and most relevant music. The tour is about giving the kids what they want and Hurley is all about being the microphone of the youth. I'm sure this year’s tour will be the loudest. Let the kids make some noise.”

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

Avenged Sevenfold is poised to be “the next great American rock band” (Guitar World). With the larger than life, awe-inspiring excitement of their live performances and "musicianship that is unimpeachable" (Entertainment Weekly), A7X continually strives to raise the bar. By self-producing their highly acclaimed self-titled October 2007 release, the Huntington Beach, CA hard rock band rose to the challenge and masterfully crafted an album that Revolver Magazine calls a “magnum opus.” Indeed the band’s follow-up to the 2005 million-selling City of Evil, topped the Billboard Alternative, Hard, and Rock Charts, and debuted at Number Four on the Billboard Top 200. In seeing Avenged Sevenfold live, you’ll experience what the Los Angeles Times witnessed as a “capacity crowd…come in devotion.”

ATREYU

Since muscling their way into the Orange County metal/punk scene in 1998, Atreyu (Alex Varkatzas, vocals; Dan Jacobs, guitar; Travis Miguel, guitar; Marc McKnight, bass; Brandon Saller, drums) have sold over a million albums by constantly challenging themselves and their audience with charged music and acrobatic performances that push the boundaries of catharsis and emotional exorcism. The band's recently released album, Lead Sails Paper Anchor, fueled by the hit single "Becoming The Bull," rocketed onto Billboard's Top 200 debuting at #8 and Billboard's Rock and Hard Rock Album Charts at #1, making it the highest-charting album of the band's career and landing them on the cover of Revolver Magazine, who called the disc "a coffin-tight collection of singles...the potential for hugeness is all over these 11 tunes...," while Metal Hammer declared it "a truly landmark album."

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE

The four-piece metal core band from Bridgend, South Wales, UK - Matthew "Matt" Tuck/vocals, Michael "Padge" Paget/Guitar, Michael "Moose" Thomas/drums, and Jason "Jay" James/Bass - are, according to the UK's Kerrang!, well on their way to "phase two of world domination" with their sophomore release, “Scream Aim Fire,” due out January 29, 2008 (Jive/ SonyBMG). The CD's title track has been the Most Added Track at hard rock radio formats since mid-December. For their 2006 debut album, "The Poison," Bullet For My Valentine graced the covers - at least once - of Kerrang!, Rock Sound, and Metal Hammer. In addition, they won Metal Hammer's 2006 "Golden God Award" for Best British Band, and the 2006 Kerrang! Award for "Best UK Single" for their track "Tears Don't Fall." Here in America, the band was named "British Import of the Year" in Revolver, and "The Poison" generated the hit singles "Tears Don't Fall" and "All These Things I Hate (Revolve Around Me)," with the video for "All These Things I Hate" going to the #1 spot on MTV2.

BLESSTHEFALL

One of the breakout acts from the Van’s Warped Tour, Arizona’s Blessthefall won over audiences on a daily basis thanks to their incendiary live show which included their jaw-dropping “wall of death” mosh pit. As the band’s profile sky rocketed, resulting in over 6 million plays on Myspace, fans voted them into the top spot in the Energizer “Demand It” contest in Phoenix, Virginia Beach and Montreal, earning Blessthefall longer sets in each city on Warped Tour. Stalwarts of the Smartpunk Stage, the band saw its debut video for “Guys Like You Make Us Look Bad” enjoy a solid two-month run on MTV’s “Headbangers Ball” and Fuse’s “Uranium.” A well oiled touring machine that takes no prisoners, Blessthefall has toured the U.S., Canada and Europe extensively with numerous established acts and held their own on the first year of the Radio Rebellion Tour. Be forewarned, Blessthefall will be a hard act to follow for any band on this year’s Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour.

MUCC

In August 2006, the members of MUCC (pronounced "mukku" ) were featured as musical guests at Otakon, the largest Japanese culture convention on the East Coast, playing to two full houses at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. That was their ninth year. Now at a decade together, MUCC has proven itself to be not only prolific, having produced more than ten unique releases to date, but long-lasting--and with throngs of Stateside fans to boot.

D’ESPAIRSRAY

This rock band, D'espairsRay, first crossed international borders in 2004 when Japanese bands were still unknown to foreign land. They started out activities abroad in Europe and debut stateside in 2005 for their very first American headline tour, hitting San Jose, San Francisco, and Dallas. In fall of the same year they played Europe once more and returned to West Coast America, opening for Genitorturers, playing in 8 states. In 2006, they released their first album in Europe and received tremendous response from local fans. They were also among the last few bands to play at the legendry rock club CBGB in New York. In summer, they were invited to participate in the Wacken Open Air metal festival in Germany again garnering vast attention from press and music lovers. In winter of 2006, they headlined a European tour, appearing at 14 venues in 8 countries, with their popularity only growing forth. In July 2007, they are also slated to appear at rock festivals in Finland.

DATES

2/29
Denver, CO
Fillmore Auditorium

3/1
Kansas City, MO
Memorial Hall

3/2
Milwaukee, WI
The Eagles Ballroom

3/4
Minneapolis, MN
Roy Wilkins Auditorium

3/5
St. Louis, MO
Family Arena

3/7
Dayton, OH
Hara Arena

3/8
Detroit, MI
Cobo Arena

3/10
Rochester, NY
The Armory

3/11
Chicago, IL
Aragon Ballroom

3/14
Philadelphia, PA
Tweeter Center

3/15
Asbury Park, NJ
Convention Center

3/17
Washington, DC
Patriot Center

3/18
Portland, ME
Cumberland County Civic Center

3/20
Nassau, NY
Nassau Coliseum

3/21
Boston, MA
Tsongas Arena

3/22
Albany, NY
The Armory

3/24
Atlanta, GA
Gwinnett Center

3/25
Tampa, FL
USF Sundome

3/26
Miami, FL
Bayfront Park

3/28
Orlando, FL
UCF Arena

3/29
Biloxi, MS
Mississippi Coast Coliseum

3/30
TBA

4/1
Dallas, TX
Nokia Theatre

4/3
Oklahoma City, OK
Fairgrounds Arena

4/4
Corpus Christi, TX
Concrete Street Amphitheatre

4/5
San Antonio, TX
Freeman Coliseum

4/6
El Paso, TX
County Coliseum

2007-12-14T16:22:36Z

Interview with Nick Oliveri of Mondo Generator

All photos by the supremely awesome Sara Eckman. Thanks Sara!

]]> There are two types of Rock music fans: Those who would think that the Dead Planet, the latest album by Mondo Generator is completely badass, and those with really shitty taste in music. Most of you should already be familiar with their singer Nick Oliveri, who won critical praise and Billboard success with his previous bands Kyuss and Queens Of The Stone Age. I happen to love Mondo Generator, and wanted to tell our readers about the project, so I spoke with Nick about it, as well as his previous bands. Nick was quite humble and honest, and we're stoked to have him on the site!

Anarchy Music: Dead Planet is a bitter and ballsy album. Tell me about where you were mentally when you wrote this record.

Nick Oliveri: I think I was mad at a lot of things. I tend to write about a lot of stuff that I'm going through or have been through, relationships or whatever things I'm not real good at. If it seems like I'm angry then I probably am.

Anarchy Music: You've done Mondo Generator for years as a side project. What was it about this album that made you decide to make this band your main gig now?

Nick Oliveri: The reason I made it my main gig was that I was let go from Queens Of The Stone Age.

Anarchy Music: At the same time though, it seems like you feel more at home doing this anyway.

Nick Oliveri: Yeah! I love it. It's great doing it.

Anarchy Music: Throughout your career you've done projects that weren't geared towards the mainstream. Kyuss was very underground, but when Queens Of The Stone Age hit the top 40, you seemed to kind of shy away from that. Was it that you didn't like the lifestyle or what exactly caused that?

Nick Oliveri: I didn't shy away from it. We finished out a tour, and me and Josh decided not to play music together any more. It was as simple as that. He decided that he didn't want to do his project with me any more. I didn't shy away from it. It was a blast.

Anarchy Music: It just seemed to me that your interests was more with writing music that you loved as opposed to having a follow-up hit.

Nick Oliveri: I don't know. I'm not the one who has to worry about that, Josh is. I have a new project so I didn't have to stress that. That was stress he wanted to take on himself. It's cool. He might not have even stressed it. I'm just trying to make records man. I'm not thinking about a hit song.

Anarchy Music: The more I listen to Dead Planet, the more I like it. It's becoming possibly my favorite thing you've ever done. After the classics that you've done though, was there pressure to top those creatively?

Nick Oliveri: Wow, thanks man. No, I don't have any pressure to top that, whatever that is. I don't really understand the question.

Anarchy Music: Well, Kyuss is regarded as the apex of that genre. That stuff will be listened to forever.

Nick Oliveri: Well, I played on the first two records. It was a blast and very cool. That was Brant and Josh, they were the main songwriters in the band. That's really kind of you to say that but that credit should go to them. In the end it was those guys, Josh continued after Brant left. It was pretty much Josh's band.

Anarchy Music: I also think that this record is better than anything Queens Of The Stone Age ever thought of doing.

Nick Oliveri: That's very nice of you.

Anarchy Music: Well, I love guitar riffs and punky, kick ass rock n roll, and this record has plenty of that You're a real Punk kind of guy and I believe that you're into a lot of Hardcore. Do you feel like that scene needs to be brought back to basics?

Nick Oliveri: Well, I don't know if that's necessarily true. I was never part of that. I love Punk rock music. I love rock n roll, heavy rock and whatever lies under that umbrella of rock. I think of being more sincere. It's hard to double check when you're playing riffs or singing.

Anarchy Music: As far as live concerts go, is it still destruction every night?

Nick Oliveri: We never really did that. You mean like smashing gear?

Anarchy Music: Well, you have a reputation of being a wild man on stage. Maybe you'll wear clothes, maybe not. It's more of an old-school Punk mentality because you never know what Nick is going to do.

Nick Oliveri: I like playing nude, but I try not to do that because of the Warped Tour. It's kind of overdone. Iggy Pop did it first. It feels like shtick if you do it all the time. I don't think it's something i necessarily want to do. I'm making a conscious effort to not do it. It's more for being comfortable than anything. I sweat a lot and I don't want to have clothes on sometimes.

Anarchy Music: You did a few Ozzfest shows this year and then left the tour. What are your thoughts on how the experiment went?

Nick Oliveri: Ozzfest was fun. i don't necessarily think that it was the right crowd for us. We had some people that were into us and it was cool, but I don't think it was the right place for this band to be. There is Metal in Mondo, but it's not the same as what those kids wanted to see.

Anarchy Music: Not to kiss ass, but you're a respected guy. Any major label would want to sign you. What made you go with Suburban Noise?

Nick Oliveri: I don't really think that this is a major label type of record. It came out in Europe and Suburban Noise enjoyed it and it was cool. I wasn't shopping for a deal or anything. I was stoked that those guys were into it. It's out in the states now and we're out playing. They're really cool.

Anarchy Music: There is a quote that you made a few years ago that you think Queens Of The Stone Age needs you, and that you would be willing to work with them again. What are your thoughts about Josh now.

Nick Oliveri: That was three or four years ago. There's been some time now. I'm sure at first I said a lot of things. I was pissed off. I'm it's something that anyone would have gone through. I don't take back anything, but it's been a few years and I'm with Mondo now and it's cool. It's great. Maybe we'll cross paths one day.

Anarchy Music: I hate to say you've matured, but it seems like you've changed over the past few years as a person.

Nick Oliveri: Well, with the Queens thing, I wasn't trying to force my way back in. You can't force somebody to play with you. We were always doing music things together at the same fucking time. We needed a break. It's pretty much as simple as that. I don't know or care what the feelings are to his end. It's his band and I'm happy that he's doing it and it's great.

Anarchy Music: Since Dead Planet was out in Europe for awhile before it came out here, have you started working on something to top this?

Nick Oliveri: We're going to start working on the next record, unless some reason comes up to go out and play, which would be great to do. I'd definitely like to work on a new record.

HOT DAMN! Thanks to Nick for taking the time to speak with us. Mondo Generator fucking rules! Go check out the band at MondoGenerator.com and Mondo on Myspace

2007-11-21T05:48:31Z

Norma Jean Announce December Headlining Shows!!!

]]> Atlanta based rockers Norma Jean have confirmed four end of the year headlining shows on the East Coast. The band are fresh off a tour as direct support for Saosin, Alexisonfire were out on that run as well. The last stop of the tour was the Fillmore in New York City and it was Daniel Davison’s last show with the band. The long time drummer and founding member of Norma Jean decided it was time to move on to other things. The band have just announced that Chris Raines from Spitfire will fill in on drums for these four headlining gigs.

If you are lucky enough to be on the East Coast be sure to make it out to catch Norma Jean tearing it up at one of these shows:

Norma Jean with Glass Ocean and Royal Thunder

12/19 – Richmond, VA – Alley Katz

12/20 – Wilmington, NC – The Soapbox Laundrolounge

12/21 – Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero

12/22 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern