Adam Lawton, Author at MediaMikes

SYSTEM OF A DOWN RELEASES TWO BRAND NEW SONGS

IT TOOK AN ATTACK AGAINST ARMENIANS TO BRING IT ABOUT, BUT THE WAIT IS OVER SYSTEM OF A DOWN RELEASES TWO BRAND NEW SONGS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS TO AID THE PEOPLE OF ARTSAKH AND ARMENIA AFTER CONTINUED ATTACKS BY AZERBAIJAN AND TURKEY.

“We’re probably the only rock band that has governments as enemies,the only rock band that’s at war, so I wrote these songs to boost the moraleof our troops and Armenians around the world.”– Daron Malakian

It’s been 15 years since the GRAMMY®-winning, multi-Platinum-selling SYSTEM OF A DOWN, one of the most beloved rock bands in the world, released new music. For years, fans and press speculated about this, and of late, the rumor mill has gone into overdrive hypothesizing when the band might return to the studio.

Today, motivated by the recently-erupted conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, the latter aided by Turkey and accountable for the greatest violence the region has endured in 26 years, System Of A Down – Daron Malakian/guitars, vocals, Serj Tankian/vocals, Shavo Odadjian/bass, and John Dolmayan/drums – announces the release of its first new songs in 15 years: “Protect The Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz.”

Produced by Malakian, who also wrote the music and lyrics, both songs are streaming now on all DSPs and are available for purchase on Bandcamp with band royalties earmarked for the Armenia Fund. You can check out the music video for “Protect The Land” HERE.

So why now? Last month, profoundly affected by the unwarranted surprise attacks and bombings of civilians perpetrated by Azerbaijan and Turkey (Turkey was responsible for the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as well as over 100 years of denial), Dolmayan texted his three bandmates. Said Dolmayan, “I texted, ‘no matter how we feel about each other, no matter what issues linger from the past, we need to put them aside because this is bigger than System Of A Down and bigger than all of us…..we need to do something to support our people.'” Joined together on a subsequent conference call, everyone voiced the same concern and the vital importance of helping in some way, the way they knew best – music.

“The aggression and injustice being perpetrated against the Armenian people in Artsakh and Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey is a human rights violation and a war crime,” said Tankian. “All of us in System realize this is an existential battle for our people, so this is very personal for us. What we need right now is for the world to put politics aside and support Armenia by sanctioning Turkey and Azerbaijan and recognizing Artsakh.”

System Of A Down also releases the music video for “Protect The Land,” that incorporates recent footage of the protests and on-the-ground fighting in Artsakh, but in a very personal and aesthetic way. As he did for all previous System Of A Down releases, Odadjian executive produced the music video and curated the cover and brand art for the project. “I wanted to show the unification of our people around the world for one common cause, illustrating the power in numbers,” he said, “so we brought together people from all ages and professions who believe in and are fighting for that same cause. It’s one thing to come up with an idea, but to see it come alive as happened with this video, has been just incredible.”

On the recording of “Protect The Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz,” Odadjian added, “It was such a pleasure for us to be together in the studio again, very comforting and natural, like no time had passed at all.”

https://systemofadown.com

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Clutch Frontman Neil Fallon Discusses “The Obelisk” and Virtual Shows.

Neil Fallon is the vocalist for the rock band Clutch. The group which has been churning out its own unique brand of riff heavy sludge rock since 1991 just release a very special, limited edition 16 LP set titled “The Obelisk” As part of wave three of 2020’s Record Store Day . Media Mikes had the chance to talk to Neil recently about the collection, the bands label Weather Maker Music and, the group’s recent series of live stream concert events.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about the band’s latest release “The Obelisk”?

Neil Fallon: We had wanted to do something for Record Store Day and things kept getting shifted around and staggered due to the pandemic. What we did was put together a collection of all the full length vinyl releases that Weathermaker Music has put out. We are always getting asked about putting things out such as “Elephant Riders” but we do not own the masters to that stuff. Weathermaker Music is our label and we own all of that material so we can release it however we want. “The Obelisk” is a beast of a collector’s piece which weighs about 12lbs. There are twelve records each symbolized on the cover and that equates to about 16 or 18 discs.

AL: What is the bands process for selecting what will be released on a compilation like this?

NF: You can’t give it all away at once. We know there will be another Record Store Day event next year and we are unsure if we will have new material recorded by then. I think with the collectors mind set you want to make something special that is limited. The limited availability of a piece is what drives that collector to go out and get it. Yes you can go out and get the records individually but you are not going to get the box or some of the other stuff that is included. Some of the stuff included has been really hard to get such as the picture disk for “Earth Rocker”. It’s a hard needle to thread as you want to get this stuff out but you also want to make sure that you are keeping an eye on releasing new material as well.

AL: Has the band always been conscious of saving material for special releases like this?

NF: Every time we write a record we have this conversation. It used to be with a major label you would record 15 songs and only 10 or 12 would make the album. You then had the remaining tracks to use for B sides or whatever. For our last album “Book of Bad Decisions” we recorded 15 songs with the intention of putting 12 on the album and having three other versions of the album going to different areas of the world. We ended up not going that route and just included all 15 (Laughs).

AL: With vinyl making this resurge over the last few years is that something the band has always been in to or is that something that occurred more recently?

NF: I am not really a vinyl guy. I often just use Spotify to listen to my own music. I am very modern. Then again I do understand the appeal of vinyl. With the pandemic I know vinyl has even taken off more. When it comes to vinyl a label like ours tends to have to get at the back of line for pressing as we generally aren’t pressing 50 thousand copies at a time. I like the tangible qualities of vinyl when in this day and age so many things are non-tangible. I listen to so much music that having to constantly get up to flip and change records is just not something I think I have time for in the day.

AL: The band has also been releasing cover material under the “Weathermaker Series” moniker. Can you tell us a little bit about that group of songs and your plans going forward?

NF: We wanted to see what would happen if we started doing just digital releases. To test that out we started with some re-records and a bunch of cover songs. We weren’t sure if it would piss off our fans or behave different and we didn’t want gamble on it with new material. It’s hard to sell physical records and you have to be very accurate with how much you press. This was sort of a protective play. A lot of those old songs we can play a lot better and I hate to say it but, in between albums you have to stay engaged and let people know you are not dead(Laughs). We would just record a bunch of these and release them every six to eight weeks as a way to bridge the gap between albums. That would have worked had the pandemic not occurred. The plan for all of these is to be put together for a vinyl release and probably CD as well in the near future.

AL: Having been in the music industry since the 1990’s what has been the biggest change in the business to impact the band?

NF: File Sharing. You could wrap that in a bigger box and say the internet as a whole. We enjoyed the patronage of major labels all through the 90’s and our shows were numbering in the hundreds here in the states and a couple dozen overseas at this time. After people started illegally sharing music and getting the word out all of a sudden our shows became much, much bigger. Would we have liked to have been paid for every time someone listened to us? Sure! However those listens get parlayed into someone buying a ticket and then a t-shirt. People then become fans and maybe begin buying merchandise even when you are not on tour. It was a marathon and not a sprint but this was certainly a watershed moment for the band. It was word of mouth on a global scale.

AL: What can you tell us about the bands recent virtual concerts and are there any plans for more in the future?

NF: That was really a baptism by fire. Around the end of March, Early April when it became apparent that touring wasn’t going to be able to happen until the Fall at the very earliest. We had a bunch of festivals booked and like most bands a majority of our income comes from touring and merchandise sales. Yes, we own our own record label but you can only put out so many records and it’s not something you can do every night. There was a little bit of a panic mode as to what we could do but we knew we had the means and where with all to stream via You Tube so we started there. From that our booking agent got us connected with some people at Live From and we learned how to put things together. We didn’t go to a sound stage or use a bunch of cameras we just used Face Time and people seemed to enjoy the do it yourself approach we took. It is weird singing to a camera or laptop and I am very grateful that we had around 7 to 8 thousand people buy tickets. Once this all came together we were able to breathe a sigh of relief in knowing we could bridge the gap between then and whenever we are able to go back out on tour. It’s never going to be as satisfying as smelling an audience (laughs) but with the band all living within close proximity to one another we are able to do these as some bands have members all over which doesn’t allow something like this. As far as a third live stream that’s something we are in the process of scheduling right now.

AL: Going in to your third stream are there things you know ahead of time that you want to change or add that you weren’t able to do with the previous shows?

NF: I think the main thing is trying to make the sets different from one another. I don’t think people would be too stoked about paying for the same set every time. Thankfully we have a pretty long discography. The last stream we let a fan choose the set which was a fun exercise. I think there is a sweet spot between the DIY and production value side of things as you want to make it better each time you do it but at the same time I think people like a certain amount of grit.

AL: What are the bands plans going into 2021 and where is the best place fans can go to keep up with everything related to the band?

NF: I think come January we have decided not to think about anything other than the next record, with the assumption we can go back out on tour. I’m not sure how sustainable streaming shows are for ones mental health (Laughs). It’s going to be a slow curve to get back to touring but then we can look back and be glad this is behind us. Fan’s can check out Clutch official on Instagram and Twitter. Those are usually our main outlets for showing people what’s going on. If people are looking for merchandise they can check out Clutchmerch.com.

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METAL VETERANS BUTCHER BABIES DEBUT AN EVOLVED NEW SOUND IN NEW SINGLE “BOTTOM OF A BOTTLE”

EXCLUSIVELY PREMIERED WITH LOUDWIRE
BAND ALSO RELEASES 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WINE‘BLOOD RED’ CALLED “BUTCHER BURGUNDY”

Metal mainstays, recording artists Butcher Babies today release their first new single in three years called “Bottom Of A Bottle” with celebratory new wine to accompany the release called Butcher Babies branded ‘blood red’ wine. Both commemorate their 10-year anniversary as a tour de force band.

The new song premiered on Loudwire and in lauding the song said, “‘Bottom of a Bottle’ showcases a more melodic side of the Butcher Babies, and is sure to attract both rock and metal fans alike.”
“Bottom Of A Bottle” marks a musical evolution for this seasoned band. The new sound is a bit of a departure from the band’s extreme metal history, taking their signature sound and building on it to create something entirely new for listeners.

Distorted guitars and driving drums still back the powerful vocal duo of Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey, but the band has moved to a catchier and more melodic sound.

In talking about the new song, Carla tells Loudwire, “Haven’t we all been at the bottom of the bottle at some point? Name a better way to commiserate about it than by writing an anthem that turns the heartache into a celebration. We are pumped to finally release some new tunes that showcase a different side of who we are, yet remain uniquely Butcher Babies.”

Heidi continues, “This song is a product of the environment it was created in. At that moment, I was the guy at the end of the bar telling stories from yester-year. I’ve been there a time or two so the lyrics just flowed. This song holds a special place in my heart because of that exact moment. We’ve been sitting on this song for a long time so I can not wait for our fanbase to take the trip with us!”

In addition to the new song, Butcher Babies are celebrating 10 years as a band by releasing their own signature wine called “Butcher Burgundy”. Heidi says, “We are stoked and feel like pairing an AZ wine with a song we wrote in AZ fits perfectly with a song called “Bottom of a Bottle”. Now we can all enjoy a Bottle together!”

The new wine will be available for purchase on the Butcher Babies website.

The new single marks the first release from Butcher Babies forthcoming EP, which is set for release in mid-2021.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: babies, bottle, bottom, butcher, debut, evolved, ...

PUBLIC ENEMY RELEASE “PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER WON” FT. BEASTIE BOYS’ MIKE D, AD-ROCK AND RUN DMC

WATCH LYRIC VIDEO FEATURING CLASSIC DEF JAM-ERA FOOTAGE HERE

‘WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN THE GRID GOES DOWN?’New Album Out Now via Def Jam Recordings

“a well-timed return to the center of the industry” – Rolling Stone

“In the hour of need, Public Enemy returns to fight the power once more.” – Billboard

“this group has continued to make such politically and potent work after more than 30 years together” – NPR Music

“the group’s message remains potent decades on” – Vulture

P.E. ANNOUNCE SUPPORT OF ELECTION SUPER CENTER’S “MAKE HISTORY HERE” INITIATIVE Bringing Safe, Socially-Distanced Voting to Sports Arenas Across the Country

Public Enemy just released the latest visual from their widely acclaimed new album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?. “Public Enemy Number Won” features Beastie Boys’ Mike D and Ad-Rock along with Run DMC, and the new lyric video features classic Def Jam-era footage of the artists and more. Watch the lyric video for “Public Enemy Number Won” here: https://youtu.be/GIa-8GxnllA.

Public Enemy also announced their support of Election Super Centers “Make History Here” initiative. The non-partisan group has been working with local election authorities and more than 70 NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL and MLS arenas and teams as well as prominent artists and athletes, to let communities know their local venues are open as polling locations, ensuring access to safe, socially-distanced voting at sports arenas across the country. For more info and voting locations here, visit: https://makehistoryhere.org.

“With less than a week to go before election day, we’re seeing record breaking early voting numbers across the country, and this effort is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encourage voters to make their voices heard at their favorite sporting venues,” notes Chuck D. “Every American deserves access to a ballot, and every vote counts.”

What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? marked the group’s historic return to Def Jam Recordings and includes guest appearances by Nas, YG, Rapsody, DJ Premier, Black Thought, Questlove, Cypress Hill, Run-DMC, Ice-T, PMD, George Clinton, Daddy-O, Jahi, The Impossebulls, Mark Jenkins, S1Ws Pop Diesel and James Bomb and Mike D and Ad-Rock of Beastie Boys. Listen to the full album HERE.

Previous singles from the album include “Fight the Power: Remix 2020,” a powerful reimagining of their classic track featuring Nas, Rapsody, Black Thought, YG, Jahi and Questlove and riveted audiences at the2020 BET Awards; “State of the Union (STFU)” which holds nothing back as it calls out Donald Trump and his destructive reign, produced by DJ Premier; and single “Grid” featuring Cypress Hill and George Clinton–“a love letter to hip-hop’s golden era (and the classic Def Jam roster’s role in it), full of withering political analysis, blistering boom-bap and rap-rock productions (Vulture).”

Public Enemy performed “Grid” along with Cypress Hill on CBS’s special live broadcast of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, September 29th, immediately following the first presidential debate.

Watch the video HERE and the performance HERE.

Public Enemy have proven that rebellion is more than the sound of a musical genre, the culture of a social class, or the color of a skin; it is an unmovable, unmistakable state of mind and heart. PE is hellbent on creating change where it is needed most. Determined to give voice to those who have long been ignored, unafraid to question institutional injustices, and intent on challenging any and all obstacles to social justice, Public Enemy have resisted with unprecedented intensity and eloquence.

Their classic albums are the soundtrack to hip-hop’s rise as a form of social and political commentary. 1988’s It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back was, and still is, one of the most important records ever made, with Rolling Stone recently naming it the #15 Greatest Album of All Time and The New York Times added it to their list of “25 Most Significant Albums of the Last Century.”Fear of a Black Planet–also named on the Rolling Stone list–features PE anthems including the original version of “Fight The Power,” “911 Is a Joke” and “Welcome To The Terrordome.”

As America faces a fresh rebellion against racial division and social inequality, it is no surprise that the world looks to hip-hop’s original champions of change to continue the fight alongside them. What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? is available now atwww.publicenemy.com, along with exclusive Public Enemy merchandise.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: adrock, beastie, boys, dmc, enemy, ft, ...

Deluxe 40th Anniversary Editions of MOTÖRHEAD’s Ace Of Spades Out Today

Ace Of Spades Virtual Exhibition Launches Online

Forty years ago the inimitable MOTÖRHEAD line up of the three amigos, Lemmy, Fast Eddie and Philthy, created one of those magical moments in time with the seminal Ace Of Spades album. As the 40^th anniversary celebrations of this slab of rock history continue, MOTÖRHEAD are launching a virtual Ace Of Spades online exhibition of exclusive photos and memorabilia from the era. All loyal Motörfans from all over the world are welcome and can enjoy it from the comfort of their own homes during these global pandemic times.

As well as the deluxe boxset, triple LP and double CD and digital boxset, 40^th anniversary editions of Ace Of Spades that are out today, it’s now available in 360 Reality Audio, a new immersive music experience utilizing Sony’s spatial audio technology. Put on your headphones on to experience the song in a totally new way on Tidal, Deezer and Amazon Music HD.

Watch the full video and get your 3-month free trial promo code at Music.com upon registration.https://cutt.ly/music_com_Motorhead

Finally, if you’ve not yet listened to the new official, Ace Of Spades podcast series, The Motorcast, make sure you subscribe to all the episodes on your favorite podcast platform here – https://motorhead.lnk.to/MotorcastPR. There’s two episodes live right now, with more to come every two weeks.

ORDER ACE OF SPADES 40^TH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS HERE:https://motorhead.lnk.to/AOS40PR

Check Out Our Review of the Ace of Spades 40th Anniversary Edition Box Set Here

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 40th, ace, anniversary, deluxe, editions, motorheads, ...

David Hasselhoff Goes Heavy Metal on “Through The Night” with Two-Man Metal Band CUESTACK

Kickstarter Campaign Now Underway

TV icon David Hasselhoff has recorded a metal song, “Through the Night,” with the two-man metal project CUESTACK, and a Kickstarter campaign to finance the final steps of editing a video and “making-of” documentary on the project is now underway.

The collaboration between Hasselhoff and CUESTACK started in 2018 with many demos and meetings to make what seemed like an impossible idea slowly turn into a reality. As life-long “Hoff‘” fans, CUESTACK had the ultimate goal to create a metal project with the most-watched man on TV showing the world his heavy side. Hasselhoff recorded the track with CUESTACK in 2019 in Vienna where they also shot an epic music video together.

The band’s final mission: Finishing the editing process of the cinematic video that will accompany the song. With a limited budget and schedule, CUESTACK shot the entire video with Hasselhoff in just one day, using smaller versions of the sets than originally planned. To turn their retro Sci-Fi/Cyberpunk vision into reality, a massive post-production effort is needed now to extend these basic sets into living worlds.

All Kickstarter contributions go directly into financing those final steps. Aside from providing digital downloads, Hasselhoff fans can pre-order special “Through the Night” box sets, which include a Digipak CD, eight-page booklet with liner notes, printed high-quality autograph card, poster, “Through the Night” baseball cap and custom leather bracelet.

Join the Kickstarter campaign at http://kck.st/3jwgwEH.

About CUESTACK:

When the worlds of eccentric lighting/VFX designer Martin Kames and shred guitar content creator Bernth Brodträger collide, explosive music and art manifest in the form of CUESTACK. An unmistakable blend of metal and electronic music with well established sonic trademarks is the result, paired with an industrial, dystopian corporate identity that is ever-present in the band’s cinematic music videos and artworks.
CUESTACK

online:

[email protected]

www.cuestack.com

www.youtube.com/cuestack

www.facebook.com/cuestack

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: band, cuestack, david, hasselhoff, heavy, metal, ...

Album Review: MOTÖRHEAD “Ace of Spades” 40th Anniversary Deluxe Collectors Box Set

“Ace of Spades” 40^th Anniversary Deluxe Collectors Box Set

MOTÖRHEAD

BMG

3- 12” LP’s, 1- 10” EP, 1 DVD

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

In 1980, fresh off the back of two essential albums, “Overkill” and “Bomber” the previous year, MOTÖRHEAD continued to get bigger, better, louder and faster by the second. The “Ace Of Spades” album release was a magical moment in rock’n’roll history, an album which had enormous global impact and continues to resonate and inspire people worldwide. Fans to this day still remember where they were when they first heard it, and it immediately inspired bands worldwide to absorb the album’s energy, speed, and attitude into their own work. To commemorate the releases 40^th Anniversary BMG has released the “Ace of Spades” 40^th Anniversary Deluxe Collectors Box Set. The comes packed with 3 twelve inch LP’s, 1 ten inch EP, a Live DVD, Replica tour program, 40 page Ace of Spades history book, Rock Commando comic and to top it all off a poker dice game all of which comes housed in commemorative box which doubles as a game board.

After the passing of MOTÖRHEAD founder and front-man Lemmy Kilmister in 2015 fans of the band were left wondering what would become of the work left behind by “The Worlds Loudest Band”. Thankfully BMG has been giving the bands catalog the royal treatment and nothing good be truer when it comes to this 40^th anniversary package. After setting the bar high with 2019’s “1979” box set which focused on the “Overkill” and “Bomber” releases the “Ace of Spades” Anniversary editions is built on that foundation and taken “One Louder”. Housed in a heavy weight box with faux wood burned graphics the set grabs your attention even before you can gaze upon it’s enclosed treasures. Box sets often tend to be hit or miss by either not having enough content or a repetitive track listing that includes multiple versions of one song. I am here to say that “Ace of Spades” is neither of those! Yes the release focuses solely on this one album however the box set feature not only just on the album itself but also this period of the band as a whole. From the half speed mastered version of the studio album which sounds absolutely amazing, to two different live performances from 1981, a 19 track album of outtakes, B-sides and rarities titled “The Good, The Broke and the Ugly and a 10” EP containing seven instrumental tracks from the “Ace of Spades” sessions. That’s just the audio portion of the release! Also included is a DVD titled “Ace on Your Screens” which showcases original interviews related to the album as well as live and studio performances. Most collections would stop there but not this one! Going even further down the MOTÖRHEAD rabbit hole fans are treated to a reproduction of the “Ace Up Your Sleeve” 1980 tour book, a reproduction of the 1980 “Rock Commando” comic, a 40 page compilation piece by Kris Needs titled “Born To Lose- Live To Win The Ace of Spades Story” and to top it all off a MOTÖRHEAD themed poker dice game (with the game board being printed on the inside of the box cover) every piece of this release was carefully planned out with the true fan in mind.

I can’t say enough good things about the look and quality of this release. All the record sleeves are printed on high quality cardstock and paper which add to the release’s aesthetic as even when its just sitting on your shelf the collection begs to be picked up and played. Given the sheer amount of material contained listeners should not get bored easily as the video and literary pieces add to the music providing a multi-pronged attack on your senses. Though the set does not include digital downloads of the material you do get a really cool dice game which on game night may help you recruit a few new unsuspecting listeners to your jean vested battalion and well that can’t be all that bad. MOTÖRHEAD “Ace of Spades” 40^th Anniversary Deluxe Collectors Box Set is a must have for that headbanger in your life and with the holidays just around the corner get ahead of the game and tuck one of these beauties away.

BOX SET TRACKLISTING

Ace of Spades

Side One

Ace Of Spades

Love Me Like A Reptile

Shoot You In The Back

Live To Win

Fast And Loose

(We Are) The Road Crew

Side Two

Fire Fire

Jailbait

Dance

Bite The Bullet

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

The Hammer

A Fistful Of Instrumentals

Side One

Ace Of Spades (demo)

Hump On Your Back (demo)

Shoot You In The Back (demo)

Fast And Loose (demo)

Side Two

Dirty Love (demo)

Love Me Like A Reptile (demo)

Dance (demo)

Riders Wearing Black

Live At Whitla Hall, Belfast – 23^rd Dec 1981

Side One

Ace Of Spades

Stay Clean

Over The Top

The Hammer

Shoot You In The Back

Metropolis

Side Two

(We Are) The Road Crew

No Class

Bite The Bullet

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Side Three

Jailbait

Leaving Here

Capricorn

Too Late, Too Late

Side Four

Overkill

Bomber

Motörhead

Dead Man’s Hand

Live At Parc Expo, Orleans – 5^th March 1981 Side One

Ace Of Spades

Stay Clean

Over The Top

Metropolis

Shoot You In The Back

Side Two

The Hammer

Jailbait

Leaving Here

Fire Fire

Love Me Like A Reptile

Side Three

Capricorn

Too Late, Too Late

(We Are) The Road Crew

No Class

Side Four

Bite The Bullet

The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Overkill

Bomber

The Good, The Broke & The Ugly

Side One

Ace Of Spades (Alternative Version)

Dirty Love

Love Me Like A Reptile (Alternative Long Version)

Shoot You In The Back (Alternative Version)

Side Two

Hump On Your Back

Fast And Loose (Alternative Version)

(We Are) The Road Crew (Alternative Version)

Fire Fire (Alternative Version)

Jailbait (Alternative Version)

Side Three

Waltz Of The Vampire

The Hammer (Alternative Version)

Dirty Love (Alternative Long Version)

Bastard

Godzilla Akimbo

Side Four

Love Me Like A Reptile (Alternative Version)

Dirty Love (Alternative Version)

Please Don’t Touch (Performed by Headgirl)

Bomber (Performed by Girlschool)

Emergency

Ace On Your Screens DVD

Part 1: MOTÖRHEAD on TV 1980-1981

Part 2: BBC In The City; Live In Belfast ‘81

Part 3: 5.1 audio mix of Ace Of Spades

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: 40th, ace, album, anniversary, box, collectors, ...

JULIEN BAKER ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM LITTLE OBLIVIONS OUT FEBRUARY 26 VIA MATADOR RECORDS

SHARES FIRST TRACK /VIDEO “FAITH HEALER”

Julien Baker will release her third studio album, Little Oblivions, on February 26 via Matador Records. Today she reveals the first look at the album via “Faith Healer.” She says, “Put most simply, I think that ‘Faith Healer’ is a song about vices, both the obvious and the more insidious ways that they show up in the human experience. I started writing this song 2 years ago and it began as a very literal examination of addiction. For awhile, I only had the first verse, which is just a really candid confrontation of the cognitive dissonance a person who struggles with substance abuse can feel– the overwhelming evidence that this substance is harming you, and the counterintuitive but very real craving for the relief it provides. When I revisited the song I started thinking about the parallels between the escapism of substance abuse and the other various means of escapism that had occupied a similar, if less easily identifiable, space in my psyche.

“There are so many channels and behaviors that we use to placate discomfort unhealthily which exist outside the formal definition of addiction. I (and so many other people) are willing to believe whomever– a political pundit, a preacher, a drug dealer, an energy healer– when they promise healing, and how that willingness, however genuine, might actually impede healing.” Watch the Daniel Henry-directed video here.

“Faith Healer” introduces 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 galvanizing storytelling to breathtaking new heights.

Little Oblivions is the follow up to Baker’s 2017 sophomore album and first on Matador, Turn Out The Lights. The New York Times said Turn Out The Lights 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”. Baker went on to perform songs from the album on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and CBS This Morning.
In 2018 Baker formed boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. The resulting eponymous EP and joint North American tour made for one of the most celebrated and talked about musical communions of 2018, highlighting Baker among the forefront of a burgeoning generation of era-defining artists.

Baker shot to worldwide attention in 2015 with show-stopping debut, Sprained Ankle. Recorded in only a few days, it was a bleak yet hopeful meditation on identity, addiction, faith, resilience and redemption. MOJO called it “comforting as it is unsettling as it is cathartic”, while Pitchfork noted, “if you prefer redemption songs to sound as raw as they feel, Sprained Ankle could bring you to your knees”. The album went on to appear on many end of year lists.

An intense and immersive performer, her live shows were described by The New Yorker as “…. hushed, reverential. The only sounds you hear between songs are her fingers as she tweaks the tuning on her electric guitar, scattered whispers between friends, and the rustling as the crowd waits patiently for Baker to start strumming again”.

Baker has collaborated on studio recordings with Frightened Rabbit, Matt Berninger, Becca Mancari, Mary Lambert, and on stage with Justin Vernon, The National, Sharon Van Etten, Ben Gibbard and others.

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Book Review: “Confess The Autobiography” Rob Halford

“Confess The Autobiography”

Author: Rob Halford
Hachette Books
Hardcover: 368 pages

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Most priests hear confessions; this one is making his. Rob Halford front-man for the legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest tells his story in “Confess The Autobiography”. From the Walsall council estate to musical fame via alcoholism, addiction, arrests and, personal tragedy through to rehab, coming out and, redemption The Metal God’s story winds through his working-class roots to finding his calling in music, including his experience as a gay man in the macho world of rock.

If that lead in doesn’t grab your attention then you might want to check your pulse. . “Confess The Autobiography” by Rob Halford takes readers on a unique journey the likes we have never seen. From meeting bassist Ian Hill through his sister to receiving a life time ban from Madison Square Garden and coming out in 1998 “Confess” covers immense territory. Halford is candid and direct with his approach leaving no subject off limits. While “Confess” not only recounts Rob’s success with Judas Priest there is also another storey set just slightly in the background which readers will find quite interesting. How did the singer for one of the biggest heavy metal bands in history deal with being gay? Not only were the times not as accepting of alternative lifestyles but heavy metal certainly was not seen as leading the charge for acceptance during these times. Over the course of the books 368 pages Halford takes readers first hand through his countless struggles and fears over. “What if it got out he was gay?” forever ruining the bands career. It’s at these times that the book takes a more emotional turn as the author recounts just what it was like to be an apart of Judas Priest becoming the biggest band in the world while at the same time having to live the other part of your life in secrecy. Given the high profile nature of the band talk about a difficult situation!

Through all the highs and lows “Confess” is comes out ahead making for an enjoyable read. You don’t have to be a Judas Priest or heavy metal fan to appreciate the book Rob Halford has put together. Though the story might not be completely relatable on all levels there are certainly points where every reader will be able to think back to a time where their success may have been over shadowed by something else going on internally or out of fear of what others may think you acted one way and not another. “Confess The Autobiography” though it showcases one man’s journey will speak to many.

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Album Review: Circle Jerks “Group Sex” 40th Anniversary Edition

“Group Sex” 40^th Anniversary Edition

Circle Jerks

Trust Records

Tracks: 14 plus 5 bonus tracks

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

The Circle Jerks seminal debut release “Group Sex” celebrates its 40^thanniversary this year. To mark this monumental occasion the newly formed Trust Records has released a Limited Deluxe Edition of the 14 track album from the Hermosa Beach natives. Featuring deluxe packaging by famed Nirvana “Nevermind” designer Robert Fisher the release also includes a 20 page booklet packed full of unreleased photos and stories from people like Tony Hawk, Shepard Fairey and Ian Mackaye.

Clocking in at just over fifteen minutes (minus bonus tracks) “Group Sex” punches you right between the eyes just as it had in 1980. Buzz saw like guitars and thumping drums combined with the razor like approach of front-man Keith Morris “Group Sex” is a testament to 80’s era West-Coast Punk. Tracks like “Wasted”, “World Up My Ass” and “Live Fast Die Young” ring just as true now as they did 40 years ago when the world was a much different place. The franticness of “Deny Everything”, “Operation” and “Red Tape” are like contents under pressure as they violently burst through your speakers thanks to the albums re-master which provides just the right amount of sonic freshness and attack while not straying too far from the original.

Trust Records has done a great job with this release. Backed by the same DIY attitude that fueled the Circle Jerks and many other bands of the era the newly formed label is a fitting home for the 40^th anniversary of “Group Sex”. Included with the re-mastered album is a 20 page booklet full of rare photos and interviews which are housed in heavyweight card stock sleeves complete with lyrics for each of the fourteen tracks. If that wasn’t enough the release also includes 5 bonus tracks (What’s Your Problem, Red Tape, I Just Want Some Skank/Beverly Hills, Live Fast Die Young) which were originally recorded in Keith Morris’s mom’s garage in 1980. Certainly a nice little added bonus which only further adds to the necessity of this being in your collection.

Track Listing:

Side: 1

1.) Deny Everything

2.) I Just Want Some Skank

3.) Beverly Hills

4.) Operation

5.) Back Against The Wall

6.) Wasted

7.) Behind the Door

Side: 2

1.) World Up My Ass

9.) Paid Vacation

10.) Don’t Care

11.) Live Fast Die Young

12.) What’s Your Problem

13.) Group Sex

14.) Red Tape

Bonus Tracks

15.) What’s Your Problem

16.) Red Tape

17.) I Just Want Some Skank/ Beverly Hills

18.) Live Fast Die Young

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: 40th, albume, anniversary, circle, edition, group, ...

FOZZY ANNOUNCES CAPTURING JUDAS LIVESTREAM!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14^TH AT 9PM EST ON VEEPS.COM

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE

Powerhouse rock ‘n’ roll band FOZZY announces “Capturing Judas” livestream on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 9pm EST on Veeps.com. The band will be appearing in its first global live streaming event from Madison Studios in Atlanta, GA. Tickets, tee shirt bundles, and VIP Virtual Meet & Greet packages are on sale now at FOZZY.veeps.com. Additionally, fans who purchase “Capturing Judas” will be able to watch the livestream or watch on demand until November 29th. For more information, visit CapturingJudas.com.

The event, aptly titled “Capturing Judas”, is a journey through the bands Judas touring cycle. The pre-show will begin with the special world premiere of FOZZY Across America, filmed October 13, 2017, the day FOZZY celebrated the release of “Judas” by performing 3 shows, in 3 different time zones, on the same day. This 30-minute documentary pulls back the curtain to provide unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to the band as you’ve never seen them before. Following FOZZY Across America is the final live performance of the “Judas” set that was performed in over 200 cities around the world and will include stories of the road.

“After having to postpone our “Save The World Tour” multiple times due to the continuing lockdown, we decided we wanted to do something special for all of our fans worldwide who rocked with us over the past three years on the Judas tour cycle!” states FOZZY frontman Chris Jericho. “So, on November 14, we will be coming at you LIVE without a net, to play some kick ass rock n roll for you all! We’re also gonna tell you some fun road stories, have a few drinks and maybe even do some Riverdancing! So come join us and let’s all celebrate and commemorate the most successful album and tour of Fozzy’s career.”

The band’s seventh LP, Judas, spurred hits like “Painless“, “Burn Me Out“, and title track, “Judas“, which spent five weeks at #1 on the ‘‘Big Uns Countdown’ on Sirius/XM’s Octane channel and peaked at #5 on the Active Rock Mediabase Chart. The song has over 54 million U.S. streams to date and the music video has over 43 million views to date. Watch the music video HERE.

FOZZY is gearing up to release their new album and follow up to Judas early 2021 and recently released their anthemic track “Nowhere To Run“, which was the band’s third track to hit Top 10 on Rock Radio, following “Judas” and “Painless“. Watch the music video for Fozzy’s newest hit song, “Nowhere To Run”, HERE.

Stay tuned for more details about the forthcoming release by following the band on socials. Since the beginning, Fozzy has been about hard work, dedication, and delivering great rock ‘n’ roll to their devoted fans worldwide; reminding them that music is all about invoking dirty, sweaty jubilation and doing it loudly! The band formed in 2000 to release their self-titled debut album.

Throughout the years, Fozzy released six progressively popular records, including 2012’s Sin & Bones, featuring the hit single “Sandpaper“, which found the band reaching a level of legitimacy that drew a mass audience to drink in their trademark heavy melodic groove. More recently, the hard rockers released their seventh studio album, Judas, which includes their explosive title track. “Judas” catapulted up the Active Rock Radio Chart. Fozzy’s follow-up singles “Painless“, which peaked at #7 on the Active Rock Mediabase Chart, and “Burn Me Out“, which peaked at #17 on the Active Rock Mediabase Chart, solidified the band as Rock superstars.

Fozzy is :

Chris Jericho (vocals)

Rich Ward (guitars, vocals)

Frank Fontsere (drums)

Billy Grey (guitars)

Randy Drake (bass).

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: announces, capturing, fozzy, judas, livestream

VOLBEAT CONFIRMS REWIND, REPLAY, REBOUND: LIVE IN DEUTSCHLAND TO BE RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 27TH VIA REPUBLIC RECORDS

WATCH “CHEAPSIDE SLOGGERS – LIVE IN STUTTGART,” FIRST TRACK FROM THE ALBUM

7th STUDIO ALBUM, REWIND, REPLAY, REBOUND, OUT NOW VIA REPUBLIC RECORDS

Volbeat confirm the release of Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutschland, available digitally worldwide on November 27^th via Republic Records. The new 27 song set features songs recorded during the sold-out German leg of last year’s Rewind, Replay, Rebound World Tour, along with two additional tracks recorded earlier on the tour. The album marks the first official live recordings of 11 songs from the band’s latest studio release, Rewind, Replay, Rebound as well as fan favorites from throughout the band’s career played in front of the their die-hard German fans in cities such as Stuttgart, Cologne and Hamburg. The set, mixed by long time Volbeat collaborator Jacob Hansen, will be available for streaming and download from your favroite digital service. Click here to pre-save.

The first song from Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutschland, “Cheapside Sloggers – Live In Stuttgart,” is available today. Watch the video here.

Leading up to the release of Rewind, Replay, Rebound: Live In Deutchland, Volbeat will also be streaming three full shows from the Rewind, Replay, Rebound World Tour via their YouTube channel. The first of these, Live at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany, will be streamed on Thursday, October 22^nd. Watch volbeat.dk for complete details.

Germany holds an important place in the story of Volbeat. From playing their first note on German soil at the Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen 14 years ago, Germany has embraced the band and lovingly christened themselves the band’s “second home.” Says vocalist/guitarist Michael Poulsen, “the German audience has always had a special place in our hearts, since the very beginning. They have always supported us and still do. It’s amazing to see the impact the fans have had on Volbeat, we’ve become fans of theirs, too.”

Recently, Volbeat announced their Record Store Day Black Friday release, Hokus Bonus: a vinyl-only compilation of ‘bonus tracks’ from special and international editions of the band’s previous albums. Limited to 3,000 copies, the LP features brand new cover art from long-time Volbeat illustrator Karsten Sand and will be pressed on “Magician’s Smoke” colored vinyl. Hokus Bonus will also be available November 27^th at independent record stores participating in Record Store Day. For a full list, visit https://recordstoreday.com/Stores.

VOLBEAT emerged from Copenhagen in 2001. Since then, they’ve tirelessly clawed their way to hard rock’s upper echelon with endless touring, a string of seven beloved full-length albums which have sold 2.5 M copies in the US alone, and eight #1s on the mainstream rock airplay chart. Their 2010 album Beyond Hell/Above Heaven, which features hit singles “A Warrior’s Call” and “Heaven Nor Hell,” has received RIAA Gold Certification. 2013’s Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, which includes the Grammy nominated “Room 24” and is also certified Gold, bowed at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 upon release, marking the highest U.S. chart entry for a Danish act since 1997. A distinction that Volbeat topped in 2016 when Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie debuted at #4. The band also released Let’s Boogie! Live At Telia Parken, a concert film and album documenting their landmark 2017 Copenhagen show in front of 48,250 fans, the largest show a Danish band has ever performed in Denmark. Their latest album, Rewind, Replay, Rebound, was released on August 2^nd, 2019 and has spawned the hit singles “Last Day Under The Sun,” “Die To Live (feat. Neil Fallon)” and “Leviathan.”

REWIND, REPLAY, REBOUND: LIVE IN DEUTSCHLAND Track list:

1          Intro/Lola Montez
2          Pelvis On Fire
3          Doc Holliday
4          Sorry Sack Of Bones
5          The Garden’s Tale
6          Ring Of Fire
7          Sad Man’s Tongue
8          When We Were Kids
9          Slaytan
10        Dead But Rising
11        Fallen
12        Die To Live
13        Seal The Deal
14        For Evigt
15        7:24
16        Cheapside Sloggers
17        Lonesome Rider
18        Parasite
19        The Everlasting
20        Cloud 9
21        Last Day Under The Sun
22        The Devil’s Bleeding Crown
23        Leviathan
24        Let It Burn
25        Pool Of Booze, Booze, Booza
26        Boa [JDM]
27        Still Counting

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GWAR Announces “Scumdogs XXX Live”

Presented by Liquid Death and Metal Injection

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their classic album “Scumdogs of the Universe,” your Lords and Masters GWAR are pleased to announce the “Scumdogs XXX Live” live streaming concert event, presented by Liquid Death and Metal Injection.

This one of a kind experience is set for Friday, October 30th with the pre-show starting at 6:00 PM Eastern. The live stream performance kicks off at 8:00 PM Eastern. Tickets and VIP Packages can be purchased at GWAR.net. The show will be available on demand through November 15th.

“Scumdogs XXX Live” will be a full-fledged GWAR performance and a spectacle the likes of which you have never seen. Your Lords and Masters will celebrate this momentous occasion by ripping through the entire “Scumdogs of the Universe” album from front to back. Will there be special guests? You’re goddamn right there will be special guests. Are we going to tell you who they are? No we aren’t, but you can find out for yourself on October 30th.

Blōthar the Berserker had this to say about the momentous occasion:“We always wanted to do a concert without an audience in the room. The audience is always the worst part. Well, that and the fact that we’re constantly being attacked by a bunch of assholes while we try to get through a set. Man, I hope none of those old school dicks show up to rain on our glorious parade.”

Watch the trailer for the event HERE.

This past weeked saw GWAR play their first ever drive-in shows at the Diamond in Richmond, VA. For the first time ever GWAR shot blood and spew all over a parking lot full of bohabs in cars. Could there be more in the works? Stay tuned.

Don’t forget, you can help decide who GWAR will kill on stage for the NEXT 4 years!! Register and VOTE in November. Check your registration at: https://www.headcount.org/verify-voter-registration/

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: announces, gwar, live, scumdogs, xxx

BAD RELIGION RELEASE NEW TRACK “WHAT ARE WE STANDING FOR”

Preeminent Los Angeles band Bad Religion have just released “What Are We Standing For,” an outtake from the band’s critically acclaimed 2019 album Age Of Unreason. The song is one of support and compassion for professional athletes, and others, whom have taken a knee to protest police brutality and racism. Bad Religion have always advocated for humanism, reason, and individualism, which in our current political climate is a message that has never been more essential.

“In this time of tribal nationalism, dissent, as a form of political speech, is vital to democracy,” says co-songwriter and guitarist Brett Gurewitz.

LISTEN TO “WHAT ARE WE STANDING FOR”

ABOUT BAD RELIGION
Bad Religion, formed in 1980 in the suburbs of Los Angeles, has become synonymous with intelligent and provocative West Coast punk rock and are considered one of the most influential and important bands in the genre. Bad Religion has continually pushed social boundaries and questioned authority and beliefs armed only with propulsive guitars, charging drumbeats, thoughtful lyrics and an undying will to inspire and provoke anyone who will listen.

The band’s critically acclaimed 17th studio album Age of Unreason offers a fiery and intensely relevant musical response to the times, with songs that address a myriad of socio-political maladies, including conspiracy theories, racist rallies, Trump’s election, the erosion of the middle class, alternative facts and more. There is a stylistic consistency to the band’s iconic and influential sound – hard fast beats, big hooks and rousing choruses, yet each new song remains distinctive, utilizing composition, melody and lyrics to deliver a unique narrative consistent with the band’s longstanding humanist worldview.

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