KRAMER ANNOUNCES ORIGINAL, MODERN, AND ARTIST COLLECTIONS FOR 2021

KRAMER: MADE TO ROCK HARD

KRAMER, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand has been setting trends with a legacy of premium, performance-focused instruments since it was first launched in 1976. Made for rule-breakers that play fast and loud, KRAMER has been embraced by legendary rockers and shredders like Eddie Van Halen, Vivian CampbellRichie Sambora, Elliot Easton, and Mick Mars and more during the height of the metal era in the 1980s–a period when it was the most popular guitar brand in the world. KRAMER’s innovative approach and unwavering commitment to performance spans entry-level and intermediate guitars, to professional offerings, across the entire line and continue to make KRAMER instruments the choice of today’s hard rock and metal legends. 

New for 2021, KRAMER debuts the new Artist Collection featuring collaborations with Snake Sabo (Baretta), Charlie Parra (Vanguard), and Tracii Guns (Gunstar Voyager), with more collaborations to come throughout the year. From its iconic models and legendary artist collaborations to the Original and Modern CollectionsKRAMER is back. “We leveled-up with our Kramer re-birth and new focus, giving hard rock and heavy metal shredders what they wanted,” says Cesar Gueikian of Gibson. “This is just the beginning for Kramer, we have big plans for the brand’s future, starting with these exciting collections and collaborations plus a few more we will be announcing throughout 2021.” 

KRAMER Artist Collection:Artist Collection guitar specs: HERE. 

The Snake Sabo Baretta is the premier signature model from Skid Row’s Snake Sabo. Inspired by his favorite road guitar, the Snake Sabo Baretta features a replica graphic commissioned by Sabo and created by legendary KRAMER artist Dennis Kline. The Snake Sabo Baretta features a new Kramer 85-T™ Double Black Open Coil Humbucker™ that was designed by Gibson™ USA Luthier Jim DeCola, a K-SpeedSlimTaper™ neck with jumbo frets, a Floyd Rose® 1000 bridge system, and a EVH® D-Tuna® Drop D Tuning System. 

“I’m so proud that the Kramer brand has been resurrected by Gibson and humbled by the fact that they’ve allowed me to be a part of it,” says Snake Sabo. “The Snake Baretta started out as a simple idea 35 years ago and played such a big part in our formative years. Now Kramer has kindly released it as a limited edition. I’m so proud and honored to be part of the Gibson and Kramer family. I hope everyone enjoys this guitar as much as I have since it was first made in 1985.”

The Tracii Guns Gunstar Voyager is ready to rock and marks the first KRAMER signature model for pioneering L.A. Guns guitarist. The Gunstar Voyager features a star-shaped mahogany Voyager body with a black metallic finish and flame graphics, a 3-piece set maple neck with a Slim C profile and a classic KRAMER pointy headstock with a Kramer Pyramid logo on the front and a chrome wrench holder on the back, two Epiphone™ ProBucker™ pickups, each with its own volume control and coil-splitting push / pull switch for broad tonal flexibility, and a Floyd Rose 1000 series tremolo and a top mounted R2 Locking Nut and Chrome string retainer bar. 

“I play the guitars my heroes play, and those guitars are Gibson’s,” says Tracii Guns from L.A. Guns. “As the future has arrived now, I have designed the ultimate metal guitar with Kramer guitars loudly and proudly called the Kramer Gunstar Voyager for my shredding friends. Made To Metal!!!”

The Charlie Parra Vanguard is the second KRAMER signature model from the Peruvian metal master. Featuring a mahogany body, 3-piece satin-finished maple neck, bound ebony fretboard with 22 jumbo frets, dot inlays with 12th fret Day of the Dead owl, a single chrome knurled master volume control and 3-way pickup selector switch mounted on a satin aluminum pickguard, EMG™ 57 and 66 pickups with chrome covers, a recessed output jack on the upper horn, and a LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece. Charlie Parra’s signature is engraved on the truss rod cover, and his Vanguard is finished in Candy Apple Red Gloss

“I’m so humbled and honored to be part of the Gibson family as their first South American signature artist thanks to the comeback of Kramer,” says Charlie Parra. “This limited-edition Kramer Vanguard honors the classic 80s look and vibe with a twist of modern hardware, 24 fret madness and full access cutaway. I hope guitar players everywhere enjoy this instrument that may look tough, and heavy, but plays really smooth!”

Watch and share the new KRAMER signature artist panel featuring Tracii Guns, Snake Sabo, Charlie Parra and host Mark AgnesiDirector of Brand Experience at Gibson Brands: HERE.

KRAMER Original Collection:Original Collection guitar specs: HERE. 

The KRAMER heads back to basics with the Original Collection of guitars which capture the look and feel of the original shredder guitar. Utilizing the best tone woods, components, neck profiles, and iconic body shapes, these guitars take players back in time to experience guitars made famous by legendary guitar heroes. The new Original Collection which includes the Baretta Special, and Focus VT -211S which are some of the most influential guitars in rock history and designed for new players to discover KRAMER at an affordable price. Crossing over into the higher-end rock classics, KRAMER brings in the Jersey StarPacerSM-1NightSwanThe 84, the Baretta and all of the iconic models that changed the guitar world forever. 

KRAMER Modern Collection:Modern Collection guitar specs: HERE. 

The KRAMER Modern Collection add a present-day twist on killer classic designs. Be on the lookout for guitars with new neck-to-body joints, contemporary hardware and tremolo options, cutting-edge pickups and electronic options for a wider range of tonal possibilities, and other options geared toward players that want to launch into hyperspace all with the Kramer DNA intact. KRAMER’sModern Collection features innovative design with classic lines including the Assault 220, Assault PlusNite-VNite-V Plus, and KRAMER’s premier bass, the D-1 Bass and more.

JUSTIN BIEBER DISCUSSES MOVIE INSPIRATIONS BEHIND “ANYONE” MUSIC VIDEO EXCLUSIVELY FOR VEVO FOOTNOTES

“I’ve always wanted to do a boxing video, and it made sense for this song being an 80’s power ballad… If you’re not in love, it makes you want to be in love. It’s kind of like The Notebook.” – Justin Bieber

NEW “FOOTNOTES” EPISODE FEATURES “ANYONE” STAR,ZOEY DEUTCH, AND AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR, COLIN TILLEY

WATCH “JUSTIN BIEBER – THE MAKING OF ‘ANYONE’ | VEVO FOOTNOTES”

Deutch, who hadn’t met Bieber until their first scene together on this project, reveals that she had to learn stick shift for the role, wore her own vintage clothing in the video, and improvised the final line, “I love you.”
Tilley and Bieber had discussed the concept for this video ad nauseum, and the song “Anyone” was the perfect fit to play out the storyline they envisioned. “It’s kind of like The Notebook,” says Bieber. Other key visual references throughout the music video include CreedRocky and Snatch

FOOTNOTES OUTLINE:

(0:14) Narration: Justin Bieber released the video for “Anyone” on New Year’s Day. 

(0:21) It stars Zoey Deutch and was directed by Colin Tilley, who has collaborated with Bieber on several visuals, including his recent “Monster” with Shawn Mendes, and “Holy,” featuring Chance The Rapper.

(0:40) Colin Tilley: “Justin and I had a lot of conversations about this concept. We knew it had to take place in the 1960’s. The instrumental and vibe was so nostalgic, it just felt right… Justin wanted to box in it, and it felt right to tell a human story of the real come-up with someone by your side, loving you and supporting through thick and thin. We put together this beautiful story.”

(0:59) Justin Bieber: “I’ve always wanted to do a boxing video, and it made sense for this song being an 80’s power ballad… If you’re not in love, it makes you want to be in love. It’s kind of like The Notebook.”

(1:15) Narration: Zoey and Justin didn’t actually meet until their very first scene together which was this moment, dancing on the beach.

(1:22) Zoey Deutch: “I had to learn how to drive stick shift approximately two minutes before driving very fast alongside him while he ran and raced me. Considering I’m already a terrible driver in a normal car, not a beat up stick shift car; I was a little concerned about Justin’s safety. But we all made it out alive!”

(1:38) Narration: Classic boxing movies such as Creed and Rocky were key references for the video. 

 (1:43) Both Colin and Justin wanted his character to be as real as possible, so Justin spent two days training with a fight coordinator.  

(1:47) Because tattoos weren’t popular in the era the video is portraying, he spent three hours each morning having his ink covered.  

(2:44) The orange outfit Zoey is wearing is something she purchased at a vintage store eight years ago and had never worn.  

(3:04) This moment was inspired by a scene from the movie Snatch.

(3:22) Colin Tilley: “The past year our friendship had gotten much closer. We see so eye to eye on what we love creatively and are both inspired by a lot of the same stuff. Being able to talk about ideas and bounce things back and forth with no judgement is the best kind of relationship. It’s pure positivity.”

(4:12) Zoey Deutch: “The kiss was one take and the very very last shot of the two day video shoot. And I added the “I love you,” because well, why not?”

Epiphone: ‘Nancy Wilson Fanatic’Available Worldwide

New Fanatic Marks First Epiphone Designed by Nancy Wilson, Co-Founder of Multi-platinum Rock Group Heart and Her Second Guitar with Gibson Brands

Nancy Wilson To Release First-Ever Solo Album April 2021(Here)

Epiphone, the leading accessible guitar brand For Every Stage, presents the new Nancy Wilson Fanatic. The Fanatic is created and co-designed by NancyWilson of Heart and the luthiers at Epiphone in Nashville, TN, and marks Wilson’s first Epiphone signature guitar and her second guitar overall with Gibson Brands. The Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic is now available worldwide www.epiphone.com

“In the midst of the distant eighties, I was approached by Gibson to design a signature model,” says Nancy Wilson. “I put pencil to paper to first design the body shape and chose a curvy female diminutive silhouette for the cut away. Many years later the body shape remains exact and the hardware I requested makes the Fanatic a solid citizen amongst the great rock guitar screamers.”

A guitar virtuoso from the age of 9Nancy–and her sister Ann–lead the multi-platinum group, Heart, who have sold over 35 million albums, garnered 10Top Ten albums, been nominated for four GRAMMY Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nancy is revered as an ingenious guitar player, as well as a gifted songwriter and lead vocalist. In an era when females in rock ‘n’ roll were scarce, Nancy carved out a place for women to front rock bands and dominate on stage across the globe. In fact, that’s Nancy singing on Heart’s first #1 hit song“These Dreams.” As a songwriter, Nancy has co-written a collection of indelible songs that have earned their way into the classic rock canon including “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On” and more.

In April 2021, Nancy will release the first-ever solo album of her storied career via Carry On MusicNancy plays guitar and sings every song on the new album which features collaborations with Sammy Hagar, Duff McKagan, and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters). The first single “The Rising,” is Nancy’s stunning rendition of the Bruce Springsteen song; listen to “The Rising”HERE

Watch and share the interview below as Nancy Wilson discusses the creation of the new Epiphone Nancy Wilson FanaticHERE.

“We are proud to present the exclusive, Nancy Wilson Fanatic guitar to the world,” says Krista Gilley, Brand Director of Epiphone and Kramer. “It’s such an honor to work with Nancy, an icon who has been instrumental and influential to generations of players around the world. She has paved the way for female musicians to believe in their passion, talent and in music, and that comes with an obligation for all of us at Epiphone to pay tribute to Nancy.” 

The Nancy Wilson Fanatic features a classic Nighthawk shaped mahogany body and a figured maple veneer top. The Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic comes equipped with ProBucker™ humbuckers, a 5-way pickup selector switch for a wide variety of tonal options, master volume and tone controls, a fast-playing rounded C profile mahogany neck with an Ebony fretboard, and an attractive Fireburst Gloss finish and hardshell case.

DESCENDENTS SHARE NEW TRACK “THAT’S THE BREAKS”

Today, legendary punk band Descendents share their new track “That’s The Breaks.” The track follows the politically-charged two-song single Suffrage, released ahead of the 2020 general election encouraging voting to take down the Trump administration. In triumph, “That’s The Breaks” serves as a farewell to 45 ahead of the upcoming inauguration.

“Loser.  Big time loser.  Delusional loser. SORE loser.  The time has come.  The time is now.  Just go, go, GO.  I don’t care how. Donald J. Trump, will you please go now!,” adds vocalist Milo Aukerman“What’s it gonna take?  A gazillion dollars? (Oh wait, you already grifted that from supporters)… A get out of jail free card? (Only if our judicial system totally fails us)… A wooden stake through the heart?  Whatever we can do to make you go away, we need to do it.  And I don’t mean just leave the White House, I mean crawl back into your hole of hate and live out the rest of your life as a nobody.  A loser.  Because that’s what you are.  Worst. President. Ever.”

LISTEN TO “THAT’S THE BREAKS”

Formed in 1978 Descendents are Milo Aukerman (vocals), Stephen Egerton (guitar), Karl Alvarez (bass), and Bill Stevenson (drums). They have released seven studio albums, Milo Goes to College (1982), I Don’t Want to Grow Up (1985), Enjoy! (1986), All (1987), Everything Sucks (1996), Cool to Be You (2004), and Hypercaffium Spazzinate (2016).

JULIEN BAKER PERFORMS SINGLE “FAITH HEALER” ON THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT

LITTLE OBLIVIONS OUT FEBRUARY 26 VIA MATADOR RECORDS

Julien Baker will release her third studio album, Little Oblivions, on February 26 via Matador Records. Last night she performed the first single from the album, “Faith Healer,” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Captured in Nashville, it features Baker backed by a full band and represents the expanded sound that can be heard on the forthcoming album. “How does a songwriter hold on to honest vulnerability as her audience grows,” The New York Times pondered last week in its column on “11 Things To Look Forward to In 2021,” “She scales her music up to larger spaces, backed by a full rock band with ringing guitars and forceful drums. But she doesn’t hide behind them; she’s still ruthless and unsparing, particularly about herself.” Rolling Stone have noted “Little Oblivions‘ is not only the most richly produced, pop-aware release of Baker’s career, but also her the most unsparingly honest in its messiness” and of “Faith Healer” Vulture said, “Julien Baker remains devastating on new song “Faith Healer.”

Watch Julien Baker’s Colbert performance here.

Faith Healer” introduced the exhilarating, widescreen musical palette and infectious spirit of risk-taking found on Little Oblivions, a transformative sonic shift from Baker’s more spare and intimate previous work. Engineered by Calvin Lauber and mixed by Craig Silvey (The National, Florence & the Machine, Arcade Fire), both of whom worked with Baker on 2017’s Turn Out the Lights, the album was recorded in Baker’s hometown of Memphis, Tennessee between December 2019 and January 2020. Baker’s tactile guitar and piano playing are enriched with newfound textures encompassing bass, drums, synthesizers, banjo and mandolin, with nearly all of the instruments performed by Baker. The album weaves unflinching autobiography with assimilated experience and often hard-won observations from the past few years, taking Baker’s capacity for starkly galvanising storytelling to breathtaking new heights.   

In October the news of Little Oblivions upcoming release was a top 20 trending topic on Twitter and four special editions of the album (via Vinyl Me Please, Magnolia Record Club, 6131, and Spotify) sold out almost instantaneously. Preorders are upwards of 6000 units and to date “Faith Healer” has amassed over 2 million streams. 

“A longing for relief — spiritual, physical, emotional — fills ‘Faith Healer.’”  The New York Times

“An anthem of vigorous hope” Fader on “Faith Healer”

“2020 needed more Julien Baker in it, and the emotive singer-songwriter came through.” Teen Vogue 

“Stunning” Nylon on “Faith Healer”

“The track marks a musical expansion for Baker,” Uproxx

“When Julien Baker sings, the people listen, and “Faith Healer” — the raspy-voiced indie rocker’s new single — is no exception. The soul-baring cut is as much a song about literal addiction as it is an ode to misplaced faith.” MTV

“Mesmerizing” Billboard Pride on “Faith Healer”

“Baker’s guitar playing coils tightly and beautifully around her lyrics, which forthrightly tackle substance abuse, and the painful mental space it can occupy even for those who have managed to throw off its clutches.” Guitar World

Little Oblivions is the follow up to Baker’s 2017 sophomore album and first on Matador Turn Out The LightsThe New York Times said the LP is “the work of a songwriter who has resonated with an international audience (…), the rare second album that, despite new self-consciousness, stretches beyond an unspoiled debut to reach for even bigger things, with all its passion intact”. The Sunday Times said “the mix of detached vocals, lush arrangements and laid-bare post-mortems on love, loss, dysfunction and acceptance is devastating.”

Little Oblivions track listing

01. Hardline 

02. Heatwave 

03. Faith Healer

04. Relative Fiction 

05. Crying Wolf 

06. Bloodshot 

07. Ringside 

08. Favor 

09. Song in E 

10. Repeat 

11. Highlight Reel 

12. Ziptie

BODY COUNT ANNOUNCES FAN CONTEST TO CREATE NEXT MUSIC VIDEO FOR “THE HATE IS REAL”

Body Count just launched a video contest for their song “The Hate Is Real” from their latest album, Carnivore. Fans can create and submit their own videos for the track and the band’s favorite submission will be released as the next official Body Count music video. More details about the contest can be found HERE. BODY COUNT released their new and highly acclaimed full-length album Carnivore on March 6th, 2020. The album was produced by Will Putney (Thy Art Is Murder, Knocked Loose and features standout tracks such as: “Another Level (feat. Jamey Jasta)”,When I’m Gone (feat. Amy Lee)“, “Point The Finger (feat. Riley Gale)”, and Grammy nominated track”Bum-Rush.Carnivore is available to purchase and stream HERE.

The following physical formats are still available for Carnivore:

  • Deluxe 2CD Box Set (incl. bonus tracks, beanie, metallic logo pin, poster & instrumental CD)
  • Ltd. Gatefold LP+CD & LP-Booklet & Poster (incl. bonus track)
  • CD Digipak

Carnivore Tracklist:

  1. Carnivore
  2. Point The Finger (feat. Riley Gale)
  3. Bum – Rush
  4. Ace Of Spades
  5. Another Level (feat. Jamey Jasta)
  6. Colors – 2020
  7. No Remorse
  8. When I’m Gone (feat. Amy Lee)
  9. Thee Critical Beatdown
  10. The Hate Is Real
  11. 6 In Tha Morning – 2020 – Unreleased Demo*
  12. No Lives Matter – Live in Australia 2017**
  13. Black Hoodie – Live in Australia 2017**

(*) Bonus Track (available on Ltd. LP and Ltd. 2CD Box Set)
(**) Bonus Track (only available on 2CD Box Set)

 BODY COUNT is Ice T (vocals), Ernie C. (guitar/backing vocals), Juan Garcia (guitar/backing vocals), Vincent Price (bass/backing vocals), IllWill (drums) and Sean E. Sean (samples/backing vocals).

Purchase/Stream Carnivore:HERE

Follow BODY COUNT:

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Concert Review: Bad Religion “Decades- 2010’s”

“Decades- 2010’s”

Bad Religion

Saturday, January 2nd, 2021

The Roxy, Hollywood, California/NoCapshows.com

Our score 4 out of 5 stars

Bad Religion wrapped up their “Decades” concert series on Saturday, January 2nd live from the Roxy Theater located in West Hollywood. This was the bands fourth online streaming concerts celebrating Bad Religion’s forty years of making music. Each performance featured a full set from four different decades of the bands career (80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s). Newly record live performances combined with exclusive interviews and behind the scenes access gave fans an immersive experience which could be enjoyed all from the safety of your home.  

For the fourth and final concert on the “Decades” series Bad Religion performed tracks from the most recent decade (2010-2019) with a set list consisting of tracks from 2010’s “The Dissent of Man”, 2013’s “True North” and the bands newest release 2019’s “Age of Unreason”. Much like the three previous shows the performance kicked off with a video montage of scattered images and sounds depicting events from the evening’s specific decade which gave way to a black velvet curtain which was slowly raised to once again reveal the punk rock pundits. Starting the set was the anthemic “Wrong Way Kids” followed by two personal favorites “True North” and “My Sanity”. The band looked great and, was very tight musically as they performed rarities such as “Crisis Time”, “Land of Endless Greed” and “Robin Hood in Reverse” a song what hadn’t been performed live since 2016. The fast paced 16 song set concluded with “Changing Tide” (a first since 2015) the live debut of “Candidate” and the in your face “Fuck You”. Then almost as it had begun the velvet curtain was lowered and the “Decade’s” concert series came to a close.

Though this was certainly the shortest of the four concerts, Bad Religion still offered an enjoyable break from the craziness we all continue to deal with on a daily basis. Comedic behind the scenes footage and interview with the bands newest members’ guitarist Mike Dimkich and drummer Jamie Miller were welcome additions as were those provided by vocalist Greg Graffin, bassist Jay Bentley and guitarist Brian Baker. Sure nothing beats seeing the band in a jam packed, sweaty venue (we hope those opportunities return sooner than later) but until then these types of shows are great opportunities for fans to support their favorite bands and interact with other fans and in this case the band as well (the band was on hand during all four concerts via a live chat room). For those who have not checked out these performances we highly recommend you do so quickly as they will only be available through mid January.

Set List:

1.) Wrong Way Kids

2.) True North

3.) My Sanity

4.) Crisis Time

5.) Do the Paranoid Style

6.) Land of Endless Greed

7.) Robin Hood in Reverse

8,) Chaos From Within

9.) Dharma and the Bomb

10.) Lose Your Head

11.) The Resist Stance

12.) Only Rain

13.) End of History

14.) Changing Tide

15.) Candidate

16.) Fuck You

Tickets and Event Merchandise for Bad Religion’s “Decade” Concert Series can be purchased HERE.

Guitarist Alexi Laiho Deceased

One of the most renowned guitarists in the world, Alexi Laiho, has passed away. The musician, most notably known as the front man of Children of Bodom, died in his home in Helsinki, Finland, last week. Laiho had suffered from long-term health issues during his last years.

Alexi Laiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen founded Children of Bodom in 1993, and the band was one of the most internationally acclaimed metal acts in Finland up until their very last farewell concert in December of 2019. Last year Alexi Laiho put together Bodom After Midnight, who recorded three songs and shot one music video, which will be released later on posthumously.

Besides Children of Bodom, Laiho was known for acts such as Warmen, Sinergy, Kylähullut and The Local Band. Awarded with a Metal Hammer Golden Gods and several other international prizes, the guitarist was also the main star, leading a group of one hundred guitar players at Helsinki Festival in 2015 in “100 Guitars From Hel” – a massive concert piece he composed.

“We are crushed by the sudden passing of our dear friend and band member. Words cannot describe this shock and the profound sadness that we feel”, Daniel Freyberg, Mitja Toivonen and Waltteri Väyrynen from Bodom After Midnight state.

The talented guitarist and musician relished his roles as stepdad in his patchwork family, and as uncle and godfather. Especially during the last years, the important family ties brought a welcomed balance to his life and the active touring. Laiho was particularly close with his big sister, parents and his sister’s daughter. Laiho’s sister says:

“We are all absolutely shocked and devastated. We ask for privacy and understanding during these hard times. My little brother’s funeral will take place privately.”

Alexi Laiho will also be deeply missed by his family in Australia.

“Alexi was the most loving and magnificent husband and father. Our hearts are eternally broken”, Kelli Wright-Laiho says.

Concert Review: Bad Religion “Decades- 2000’s”

“Decades- 2000’s”

Bad Religion

Saturday, December 26th, 2020

The Roxy, Hollywood, California/NoCapshows.com

Our score 4 out of 5 stars

Bad Religion continued with their “Decades” concert series on Saturday December 26th live from the Roxy Theater located in West Hollywood. This was the third of four online streaming concerts to celebrate the bands forty years of making music with each performance featuring a full set from four different decades of the bands career (80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s). Newly record live performances combined with exclusive interviews and behind the scenes access give fans an immersive experience which they can enjoy from the safety of their own homes.  

For concert three in the “Decades” series Bad Religion jumped back to the decade of Y2K and Windows ME to perform material compiled from “The New America” (2000), “The Process of Belief” (2002), “The Empire Strikes First” (2004) and “New Maps of Hell” (2007). The set despite clocking in at just under 60 minutes featured the live debut of  “Let It Burn”  along with performances of  “Epiphany” and ”Beyond Electric Dreams” both of which have been absent from live shows since 2015. Also included in the evenings set were long time staples “Los Angeles is Burning”, “Supersonic” and “New Dark Ages” before closing out the night with “Bored and Extremely Dangerous” (a song not performed live since 2008) and probably the bands biggest song of this era “Sorrow” certainly did not disappoint. The performances like with the previous two shows were mixed in between behind the scenes footage and insightful interviews with the members sharing memories of different experiences from the decade. This certainly added to the overall presentation and gave the show a nice steady flow. To enhance the experience for fans even further the band was again on hand interacting with fans via a live chat which occurred throughout the entire show.

Despite clocking in at just under 60 minutes along with a few different sound inconsistencies “Decades- 2000’s” at first look/listen might not seem to be the strongest presentation we have seen thus for however the performance, like previous shows still was visually and for the most part sonically superior to other bands using this same type of model. Bad Religion week after week continue to provide enjoyable viewing/listening experiences proving that an old dog can learn new tricks as the bands quick grasp on virtual concerts is one to commended. The final performance of “Decades” is scheduled for Saturday, January 2nd and will feature songs from 2010-2019. All previous shows can be streamed here via NoCap.com. We definitely recommend you check them out!

Set List:

1.) Social Suicide

2.) Los Angeles Is Burning

3.) Dearly Beloved

4.) Let It Burn

5.) Epiphany

6.) Supersonic

7.) Prove It

8,) Can’t Stop It

9.) Overture

10.) Sinister Rouge

11.) Let Them Eat War

12.) The Defense

13.) 52 Seconds

14.) Heroes & Martyrs

15.) New America

16.) New Dark Ages

17.) Beyond Electric Dreams

18.) Bored and Extremely Dangerous

19.) Sorrow

Tickets and Event Merchandise for Bad Religion’s “Decade” Concert Series can be purchased HERE.

Concert Review: Bad Religion “Decades- 1990’s”

“Decades- 1990’s”

Bad Religion

Saturday, December 19th, 2020

The Roxy, Hollywood, California/NoCapshows.com

Our score 5 out of 5 stars

Punk mainstays Bad Religion performed their second  “Decades” concert on Saturday December 19th live from the famous Roxy Theater located in West Hollywood. The second of four online streaming concerts to celebrate the bands forty years of making music featured a full set of  90’s era material from the band who began their storied career in the early 1980’s. Newly recorded  live performances combined with exclusive interviews and behind the scenes access gave fans an immersive experience which could be enjoyed all from the safety of their own homes.   

Streaming events have quickly become the new way for bands to reach their fans during the ever present COVID-19 Pandemic. Bad Religion have taken that model and done something unique with it by offering fans four different shows which showcase four different eras of music from the bands catalog.  “Decades- 1990’s” transported viewers back to one of the most productive periods  in the band’s history. The evenings 19 song setlist was compiled from the era’s six studio releases (Against the Grain, Generator, Recipe for Hate, Stranger than Fiction, The Grey Race and No Substance). Tracks like “Come Join Us”, “Them and Us” and “All Fantastic Images” a song not performed live since 1999 kicked off the energetic evening and paved the way for songs like “Recipe for Hate”, “Faith Alone” and “Generator”. Vocalist Greg Graffin helmed the controls like a consummate professional while the bands newest member drummer Jamie Miller provided an unwavering backbeat that kept the shows pace upbeat and energetic. Other highlights from the night included performances of  “A Walk”, “21 Century (Digital Boy)”, “American Jesus” before closing out the set with “Punk Rock Song”  

Bad Religion continues  to show that an old dog can learn new tricks. The “Decades- 1990’s” concert is a shining example of that statement as the shows stunning visual and audio presentation pickup where the 80’s show left off before taking fans even further down the BR rabbit hole. The show’s longer run-time was a welcome addition and the new interviews and outtakes continue to provide entertaining interludes between songs. Bad Religion is raising the bar week after with these performances making them something you don’t want to miss. With still two more shows remaining we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Set List:

  1. Come Join Us
  2. Also Stranger Than Fiction
  3. The Streets of America
  4. Them and Us
  5. All Fantastic Images
  6. Modern Man
  7. Struck a Nerve
  8. Infected
  9. Recipe for Hate
  10. Faith Alone
  11. No Direction
  12. Generator
  13. Against the Grain
  14.  A Walk
  15. Flat Earth Society
  16. God Song
  17. 21st Century (Digital Boy)
  18. American Jesus
  19. Punk Rock Song

Tickets and Event Merchandise for Bad Religion’s “Decade” Concert Series can be purchased HERE.

Concert Review: Bad Religion “Decades- 1980’s”

“Decades- 1980’s”

Bad Religion

Saturday, December 12th, 2020

The Roxy, Hollywood, California/NoCapshows.com

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Punk veterans Bad Religion kicked off their “Decades” concert series on Saturday December 12th live from the famous Roxy Theater located in West Hollywood. The first of four online streaming concerts to celebrate the bands forty years of making music will feature full sets from four different decades of the bands career (80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, 2010’s). Newly record live performances combined with exclusive interviews and behind the scenes access give fans an immersive experience which they can enjoy from the safety of their own homes.   

With live performances on hold for the foreseeable future streaming events has quickly become the new “normal” for bands to connect with audiences during the on-going Pandemic caused by COVID-19. Bad Religion is the latest group to join in and the band has nailed it right out of the gate! “Decades- 1980’s” took viewers back to the bands humble beginnings and featured a robust 21 song set list made up of songs pulled from the bands first 4 releases. (“How Could Hell Be Any Worse”, “Into The Unknown”, “Suffer” and “No Control”) In between staple BR songs like “No Control”, “Give You Nothing” and “You” viewers were treated to lesser played songs like “Latch Key Kids” and “In The Night” both of which have been absent from live shows for more than 10 years. Also featured in the set was the song “The Dichotomy” from the bands second release “Into the Unknown” an album initially not well received by fans due to its drastic stylistic shift, The band started performing this song live during the 2019 “Age of Unreason” tour and it was great to see it included as it certainly a part of the bands history. Mixed in between the live performances are behind the scenes footage and insightful interviews with the members talking about different experiences from the decade. This really added to the overall presentation and gave the show a nice flow. If that wasn’t enough the band was actually present and interacting with fans via a live chat which occurred throughout the entire show. How cool is that!?

Though the show clocked in at just under 60 minutes the overall look and impressive sound more than made up for the shorter runtime. Bad Religion has laid a solid foundation while not only setting the bar extremely high for the remaining three concerts. We highly recommend you check them out!

Set List:

1.) Bad Religion

2.) We’re Only Gonna Die

3.) You Are (the Government)

4.) Changes of Ideas

5.) Latch Key Kids

6.) Henchmen

7.) Suffer

8,) In the Night

9.) No Control

10.) Automatic man

11.) Along the Way

12.) Big Bang

13.) Best of You

14.) The Dichotomy

15.) Give You Nothing

16.) You

17.) Do What You Want

18.) I Want to Conquer the World

19.) Forbidden Beats

20.) 1000 More Fools

21. Fuck Armageddon… This is Hell

Tickets and Event Merchandise for Bad Religion’s “Decade” Concert Series can be purchased HERE.

EVERY TIME I DIE RELEASE TWO NEW TRACKS

“A COLOSSAL WRECK” & “DESPERATE PLEASURES”

LIVESTREAM EVENT DECEMBER 19

Buffalo-based hardcore heroes Every Time I Die share two powerful new tracks “A Colossal Wreck” and “Desperate Pleasures.” Produced and mixed by Will Putney (Body Count, Kublai Khan, The Ghost Inside), the tracks offer a glimpse at the band’s forthcoming ninth studio record.

According to vocalist Keith Buckley, the tracks are “two sides of the same reactionary coin. While ‘A Colossal Wreck’ looks around at the current state of the world and says ‘life is a punishment and only the worst of us thrive’ and, ‘Desperate Pleasures’ takes a more optimistic approach and renounces the nihilistic/accelerationist attitude of the voice that came before. It says that without hope, even in the face of such universal anguish, only death is certain and to give up now when those around us need it most is a treacherous act of pure cowardice. That said, I’m not sure which is worse, bein-g a coward or being a cynic. Probably a coward. At least cynics have a sense of humor.”

CHECK OUT “A COLOSSAL WRECK” & “DESPERATE PLEASURES”

Acclaimed for their energetic and intense live shows, Every Time I Die have announced a live stream event for December 19 @ 2pm PT/5pm ET. Tickets for “Every Time I Die’s Online Telethon Extravaganza” can be purchased at https://tidathon.com.

The Buffalo, New York band have been forging their own musical path for over 20 years. Since establishing in 1998, the band has released eight studio albums; Last Night in Town (2001), Hot Damn! (2003), Gutter Phenomenon (2005), The Big Dirty (2007), New Junk Aesthetic (2009), Ex Lives (2012), From Parts Unknown (2014), and Low Teens (2016).

Every Time I Die is Keith Buckley (vocals), Jordan Buckley (guitar), Andy Williams (guitar), Steve Micciche (bass), and Clayton Holyoak (drums).

GWAR Teams Up With Catoctin Creek For “Ragnarök Rye™”

Eons ago the members of the intergalactic shock rock band known as GWAR descended on this world as passengers on a flaming comet that would bring about the destruction of most life on Earth. The asteroid plowed into the continent of Antarctica with devastating force, melting the ice, setting much of the world ablaze, and leaving a massive crater filled with the purest Antarctic water and a strangely intoxicating ichor that flowed from the veins of the immortal GWAR. Legend recorded these events as the tale of Ragnarök, the end of days. But like all endings, it was also a beginning. Now, this blood of the gods, harvested from the great caldera, has been distilled and bottled by Catoctin Creek Distilling Company as Ragnarök Rye

The mad scientists at Catoctin Creek conducted experiments on aging the blood of GWAR in barrels made from the different types of wood scorched by the comet’s blast. They used the rarest of grains and watered their mash bill with the melted Antarctic ice to create a single 92 proof rye whisky, potstilled and then aged in charred new White Oak. Members of GWAR then hurl the whisky barrels into the orbit of the Moon, causing contraction to take place as the barrels spin under the influence of the deathly coldness of space and the life-giving heat of the sun. The end result is Ragnarök Rye, an exquisite beverage graced with notes of cherrywood and sugar maple to produce subtle flavors unheard of in a traditional rye whisky. Truly, there is nothing else in the vast universe like the rock band GWAR, and in tribute to the band’s originality as the most elaborate, and transgressive theatrical production in heavy metal history, the distillers at Catoctin Creek have made sure there is nothing else like Ragnarök Rye

“Ahh, such a powerful spirit. A delicious sacrament to drink in preparation for battle, and it’ll get you really, really crazy,” says The Berserker Blothar.

“We were quite surprised when GWAR showed up at our distillery,” said the exasperated founder and general manager, Scott Harris.  “Purcellville is a quiet town, so to have these intergalactic visitors was—honestly—a little stressful.  We had to constantly keep an eye on them to keep them from breaking stuff, and they even tried to eat our dog, Otto.  The only way we could get them to leave was to agree to bottle their whisky for them.”

Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. X Rye Whisky (92 Proof/46% ABV) $99/750mL

About Catoctin Creek Distilling: Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, was founded by Scott and Becky Harris in 2009. Inspired by the history and craft of Virginia, Catoctin Creek made a name for itself as the first legal distillery since Prohibition in Purcellville, Virginia’s Loudoun County. The craft distillery is home to Virginia’s most-awarded whisky, Roundstone Rye, which has been presented gold medals across the globe and stands out through its old-world production methods. Catoctin Creek prides itself on sourcing rye whisky, gin, and seasonal brandy from local grains and fruits, with spirits available in 27 states and 3 continents. The Harris’ intricate attention to detail results in high quality internationally acclaimed products, including seasonal releases and private cask offerings, that recognize the true craft of Virginia spirits. For more information, call (540) 751-8404 or visit CatoctinCreekDistilling.com. Follow Catoctin Creek on InstagramTwitter and Facebook

About GWAR: The story of GWAR is carved across the history of this barren and hopeless planet, but GWAR themselves are not of this world. Their story begins in the deepest reaches of outer space. Long ago, the beings who would become the rock band GWAR were part of an elite fighting force, the Scumdogs of the Universe. For eons, they served as thralls to a supreme being known only as the Master. But one by one, each future member of the band earned a glaring reputation for being an intergalactic screw-up. And so, they were banished, sent away on a fool’s errand to conquer planet Earth. Once here, GWAR shaped the face of the globe, destroying and rebuilding the natural world, and giving rise to all human history. For more information, visit GWAR.net

For More Info on GWAR Visit:http://www.gwar.net

GRETA VAN FLEET ANNOUNCES SOPHOMORE ALBUM, “THE BATTLE AT GARDEN’S GATE”

Brand New Single, “Age of Machine,” Is Released Today

After three years, one-million concert tickets sold across five continents, four consecutive #1 singles, a GRAMMY Award, and performances on “The Tonight Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” GRETA VAN FLEET is hurtling into the future with its second album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate due April 16, 2021 (Lava/Republic Records).  The album can be pre-ordered HERE.

A bold evolution from the band’s 2018 full-length debut Anthem of the Peaceful ArmyThe Battle At Garden’s Gate came together primarily on the road or while in the studio after the runaway success of 2017’s “Highway Tune” led to the band packing up, leaving home, and eagerly soaking up new experiences on an extended road trip around the world. Over the past three years, Greta Van Fleet – vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka, and drummer Danny Wagner – played to hundreds of thousands of people across North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, South America, New Zealand, and the UK.  While driving to gigs, the first-time world travelers passed many unfamiliar sights, from the favelas in Sao Paulo to the Gold Coast of Australia and everywhere in between, meeting and enjoying conversations with fans and other musicians that opened up new worlds to them.  

To cap off the change-filled era, the quartet moved from Michigan to Nashville, immersing themselves in Music City’s rich history.  The melding of all these experiences opened their eyes to amazing new worlds of culture, history, philosophy and spirituality – and ushered in an entirely new way of looking at life and the approach to their music.  Accordingly, Greta Van Fleet poured everything they experienced into these new songs – the music reflects their spiritual and intellectual growth, increased awareness of the inequalities plaguing the modern world, and deep empathy for what other people are going through.   

“We realized that while growing up, we had been shielded by many things, and we were unaware of a lot of things,” says drummer Danny Wagner.  “And then we were thrown out into this huge world, and it was a bit of a culture shock at first.  But as we started to travel a lot, meet new and different people and experience different cultures, our definition of ‘normal’ changed.” 

“I suppose that everything has changed except what got us here in the first place,” adds bassist Sam Kiszka.  “Everything – our perception of the world, perception of life itself, what it means to be an artist, what it means to be part of a beautiful, gorgeous society.  We’ve gained a larger understanding of why we’re all here.”

In general, the album’s arrangements are spacious and leisurely, giving the music pleasing dynamics, as the band touches on all manners of rock ‘n’ roll.  The Battle at Garden’s Gate is cinematic, capturing the breathtaking energy of an exciting fight scene or the smoldering passion of a brooding, heroic protagonist saving the day.  The new music also illustrates that the members of Greta Van Fleet are paving the way for a new generation of musicians – ones that use rock ‘n’ roll’s foundational elements to build an entirely new sonic blueprint. 

Sonically, The Battle at Garden’s Gate also feels bracingly modern, an embodiment of genre-blended musical freedom.  Recorded in Los Angeles with Greg Kurstin (Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney), the album is ambitious and expansive, marked by epic journeys such as the second single, “Age of Machine,” released today (check it out HERE), and the Top 5 rock hit “My Way, Soon,” which boasts a towering chorus hook and rip-it-up-and-start-again lyrics.

Josh explains, “It’s very dynamic, lyrically speaking.  And that’s the human experience.  It’s much more than pain or fear; it’s also beauty.  People need people, and love is important.”  Lyrically, The Battle at Garden’s Gate muses about the influence of technology on modern life; the role conflict plays in the global sphere; the deceptive fulfillment of tangible riches; and philosophical questions about life, love and power. 

“There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had, so a lot of contemplation occurred,” Josh says, while Jake adds, “It’s reflecting a lot of the world that we’ve seen, and I think that it’s reflecting a lot of personal truth.  What Josh does very well with the lyrics is telling ancient tales with a contemporary application.” 

For Josh, working with Kurstin provided the confidence he needed to push his songwriting into these vivid dimensions.  “I’m always a little bit hesitant about my abilities as an artist; I think a lot of artists feel that way,” he says.  “But Greg hovering over me while I’m on the piano, taking an interest in what I was doing – that was really important for me.” 

That added confidence is obvious.  Josh sounds commanding on each song, stretching his already-acrobatic voice to newer heights, while the instrumentalists fearlessly push themselves into new territory.  Easy going organ and acoustic folk-rock riffs drive one song, while another ends in a torrent of guitar noise that rivals Neil Young’s onstage guitar freakouts with Crazy Horse.  “For all of us, the performances – and the aspects of them that are captured – preserve where we’re at musically in time right now,” Jake says.  

The future is unwritten, and the sky’s the limit for these curious travelers and truth-seekers. Josh says, “certainly after this, we’ve grown in so many ways.  This album has taught us a lot, about life in general, about ourselves, about all of us, about the world we live in.”

BAD RELIGION CELEBRATE 40-YEARS BY RELEASING STREAMING SERIES “DECADES”

TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 1, 2020 12 PM (PST)

FIRST EPISODE, THE 80’S, TO PREMIERE DECEMBER 12, 2020 2 PM (PST)VIA NOCAP

Bad Religion celebrates their forty years of making music with Decades; a four-episode online streaming event captured live at The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California. The band felt it important to commemorate the conclusion of 2020 as a strange moment in history when they reached that 40-year milestone. The celebratory episodes will include live performance footage, exclusive interviews, and a peek at their rehearsals leading up to the taping of Decades. Singer & co-songwriter Greg Graffin discussed their motivation, “I can speak for the whole band when I say that we were so disappointed to not be able to tour this year. It is our fans and all those concerts we play each year that provide the life-force of Bad ReligionDecades allows new fans as well as those who were there at the beginning to get a rich overview of our entire career and witness the changes in songwriting and performance styles at each stage of our evolution.“ Bad Religion will participate in an accompanying live chat during the premiere of each episode. Show specific merchandise will be available for sale on the DecadesNoCap Shows page.

The ’80s – Bad Religion performs songs from How Could Hell Be Any WorseSuffer, and No Control. They discuss what it was like being young punks in a world of Pacman, Reaganomics, and Televangelism. 

The ’90’s – Bad Religion performs songs from Against The GrainGenerator, Recipe For HateStranger Than Fiction, The Gray Race, and No Substance. This decade cemented their position as one of the most influential and prolific bands of our time, but it didn’t come easy or without cost; the band discusses the growing pains and lessons learned. 

The ’00s – Bad Religion performs songs from The New AmericaThe Process of BeliefThe Empire Strikes First, and New Maps of Hell. Returning home and charging forward into a new millennium, Bad Religion continued to awe with their prowess, releasing some of their most beloved material to date.

The ’10s – Bad Religion performs songs from The Dissent of ManTrue North, and Age Of Unreason. The Covid-19 pandemic cut short their plans to tour in support of The Age Of Unreason and are now performing material never seen live before. The band discusses the gratitude they live with every day looking back on 40 years of being Bad Religion and the legacy they are still actively creating. 

No Caps Shows will host Decades; a four-episode package will sell for $40, individual episodes may be purchased for $15. Tickets for Decades will go on sale Tuesday, December 1 at noon PST. Episodes will remain up for sale and viewing through the conclusion of the series and available until 12 AM PST on January 5th.  

Decades episodes will premiere at 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

December 12th: Bad Religion, the ’80s

December 19th : Bad Religion, the ’90s

December 26th: Bad Religion, the ’00s

January 2nd: Bad Religion, the ’10s 

4 Decades 4 Episodes $40 bucksBadreligion.nocapshows.com#BadReligionDecades #BR40 #BRDecades