Latest Album Walk The Sky Debuted at #1 on Over a Dozen Different Charts Around the Globe

On the heels of their first career #1 on the Top Current Albums Chart in the US, Alter Bridge are announcing the first leg of 2020 of their Walk The Sky Tour. The band will play a kickoff date in Lake Charles, LA at the Golden Nugget Casino on January 31^st before jumping on board Shiprocked as co-headliner alongside Halestorm. Back on land, the band will be making stops in Nashville, TN; Indianapolis, IN; Milwaukee, Wi; and Los Angeles, CA among others before wrapping up on February 27^th in Spokane, WA. Special guests Clint Lowery and Deepfall will open the shows. Fan club pre-sale begins on November 12^th with public on sale on Friday, November 15^th at 10AM local time. Ticket information for all shows can be found at: https://alterbridge.com.

Alter Bridge recently released their latest album Walk The Sky (Napalm Records) to critical acclaim and career milestone chart success. The latest album brought the band comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips their first ever #1 on Top Current Albums chart. The band’s newest release found a home at #1 on over a dozen charts around the globe including: Top Current Albums (US), Billboard Top Albums (US), Current Hard Music Albums (US), Current Rock Albums (US), Current Alternative Albums (US), Record Label Independent Current Albums (US), Record Label Independent Current Album Consumption (US), Internet Albums (US), Top Albums – Market Share – ADA (US), Top Albums with TEA (US), Hard Music (Canada), Top Hard Music Albums (Canada), 100 Independent Albums (UK), Rock & Metal Chart (UK), Top 100 Swiss Albums (Switzerland). Walk The Sky entered the official album Charts at #3 in Austria, Scotland and the Swedish Hard Rock Charts, at #4 in the UK and Canada at #5 in Germany, at #7 in Australia and #16 on the US Billboard 200. Walk The Sky is produced by longtime collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette and is available in various configurations at https://smarturl.it/WalkTheSky. 

Alter Bridge burst onto the music scene in 2004 with the release of their gold-selling debut, One Day Remains. In 2007, the band released Blackbird, the album that elevated the band’s profile worldwide. The epic solo in the title track “Blackbird” was voted “Greatest Guitar Solo Of All Time” by Guitarist Magazine. ABIII was released in 2010 and the single “Isolation” gave the band their first #1 single. In 2013, the band reached an elevated creative and critical plateau with Fortress. It bowed at #12 on the Billboard Top 200, moving over 30,000 copies first-week and earning unanimous tastemaker praise. The record garnered perfect scores from Total Guitar and KERRANG! as well as acclaim from Billboard, The Guardian, Loudwire, Ultimate Guitar, and many more. In between sold out tours in Europe and North America, the guys appeared on VH1 and graced the cover of Classic Rock Magazine who labeled Fortress, “The best thing they’ve ever done,” while Eddie Trunk called it, “A top 10 album of the last 10 years.” 2016’s The Last Hero gave the band their first Top 10 album since their debut. Alter Bridge has appeared on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live and their music has been used by the WWE, Major League Baseball and NASCAR to name a few. The band recently released the video and audio of their career highlight, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, featuring Alter Bridge backed by the 52-piece Parallax Orchestra led by conductor Simon Dobson. 

Walk The Sky Tour 2020
1-31 – Lake Charles, LA – Golden Nugget Casino *
2-1 – 2-6 – Shiprocked
2-8 – Nashville, TN – War Memorial Auditorium
2-9 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Center
2-11 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
2-12 – Fort Wayne, IN – Clyde Theatre
2-14 – Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre AC
2-15 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
2-17 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
2-18 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
2-20 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
2-21 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Montbleu Resort
2-23 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
2-24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
2-26 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre
2-27 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

Watch HERE | New Album, Macro, Out Now – Get Your Copy HERE!
Nearly Sold Out EU-Tour Kicks Off on November 9

JINJER just released their newest modern metal milestone, Macro, on Friday, and there’s no stopping them now – their gripping third official video for the track “Pit Of Consciousness” is out today. The video, presented in full black and white, emphasizes the inner dissension pictured as the narrators “Pit of Consciousness” – lifted musically by a demanding rhythm between punishing riffs, Eugene’s distinctive base lines and Vlad’s intense drumming. Together with Tatiana’s impressive voice, the song pushes the genre to the next level.

“I keep on losing the keys from realityAnd now I’m passing on the wheel to insanity”

Eugene on “Pit Of Consciousness”:“This is a song that can be applied to each of us in the band. Living a life at a full pace after years of touring, have we accidentally let someone else into our heads and become foreigners to ourselves? Holding on to the hope that we can keep those doors shut …”

Watch “Pit of Consciousness” HERE

While January 2019’s Micro EP proved to be a short exercise in madness and technical brilliance, fans still aren’t prepared for what JINJER has in store with the absolutely unbridled Macro. Defying all boundaries, the aptly titled opening track, “On The Top”, features the band`s eclectic trademarks and obeys one law only – their own. Frontwoman Tatiana Shmaylyuk defines the unique character of the Ukrainian act with menacing whispers, enthralling clean vocals and brutal growls whilst lethally groovy riff cascades melt into twisted songwriting. There is space for a microscopic bit of reggae “Judgement (& Punishment)” in all the heaviness, the double bass is beautifully out of control on “Pausing Death”, and technically superior tracks like “Home Back” defy gravity. 

JINJER says about Macro:“Going from small things to bigger ones is the natural order of things, and we’ve paved a path from Micro to Macro, carrying the weight of feelings, emotions and experience. This is a monumental point in the story of JINJER, the quintessence of what makes us what we are now as the people and as a band. We are proud of every single note sung and played on Macro and can’t wait for you to give it a listen!”

Tracklist:

1.On the Top

2.Pit of Consciousness

3. Judgement (& Punishment)

4. Retrospection

5. Pausing Death

6. Noah

7. Home Back

8. The Prophecy

9. lainnereP

Macro is available in the following formats:

·1 CD Jewel Case (20 Page Booklet)

·LP Gatefold BLACK

·LP Gatefold SPLATTER (strictly limited to 500)

·LP Gatefold GREEN TRANSPARENT (strictly limited to 500)

·Deluxe Box – including Music Cassette, lyric book, tote bag, signed autograph cards (strictly limited)· Digital Album

Tour kicks of October 30th with Support from Jared James Nichols and Reverend Jack.

John 5’s New Full-Length Album, “Invasion”, Available Now!

JOHN 5 and the Creatures is set to kick off the second leg of the Invasion Tour 2019 this week in Battle Creek, MI. Jared James Nichols, who supported JOHN 5 on the first leg of the Invasion Tour earlier this year, has once again been tapped to open along with additional support from Reverend Jack.

“I’m excited to get back out on the road with The Creatures and play music from the new album,”JOHN 5 says. “The response to the first leg of the Invasion Tour earlier this year was amazing and I can’t wait to hit even more cities. Jared James Nichols was phenomenal last time around and we are happy to have him join us again.”

Released this summer, JOHN 5‘s highly-anticipated Invasion album received rave reviews all around. Fans were able to get a taste of the album throughout the first half of the year via a series of videos released each month. JOHN 5 kicked off the year with the debut video clip from Invasion, the campy animated “Zoinks!”, followed by three equally eccentric videos for “Midnight Mass,” “I Am John 5” and “Crank It – Living with Ghosts.” A new video for the track “I Want It All” was unveiled along with the release of the album last week. Invasion was produced and mixed by Barry Pointer (Richie Sambora, Joe Perry, Steve Vai, Jackson Browne). JOHN 5 will start 2020 with yet another tour, this time taking JOHN 5 and the Creatures on The Verdict Tour alongside Queensryche.

In addition to praise for the Invasion album, JOHN 5 has been making news for his unlikely appearance on HGTV’s “A Very Brady Renovation.” Susan Olsen, the actress known for her portrayal of the beloved pig-tailed Cindy Brady recently posted a picture of her with JOHN 5 and Cindy’s beloved Kitty Carryall doll. 

“So there are photos that my friends and I have been sitting on because we don’t (and mustn’t) blow the reveals,” she wrote on her Instagram account. “But at last I can share! Cindy has a little brother now. John Brady, welcome to the family!”

Read about meeting and check out the groovy photos of JOHN 5 with Greg, Marcia, Peter, Bobby and Cindy Brady at https://variety.com/2019/music/news/brady-bunch-house-renovation-rob-zombie-guitarist-superfan-1203362443/ and https://loudwire.com/john-5-at-renovated-brady-bunch-home/.

Not long after his adoption by the Bradys, JOHN 5 took to the seas for Megadeth‘s MegaCruise, where the newly-christened “Bad Brady” lived up his name. Before leaving port in San Diego, police arrived at the boat on a noise complaint, threatening to lock up the ship’s captain if JOHN 5 did not stop playing.

Rather than disappoint fans, JOHN 5 and The Creatures moved the concert below deck and finished their set. Read more details on the event in Consequence of Sound: https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/10/john-5-megacruise-noise-ordinance/

Tickets for the Invasion Tour and special VIP Packages are available for all shows through the JOHN 5 webstore

JOHN 5 and The Creatures tour dates:Invasion Tour w/Jared James Nichols and Reverend Jack

10/30 – Music Factory @ Battle Creek, MI

10/31 – Cleveland, OH @ The Winchester 

11/1 – Detroit, MI @ Token Lounge

11/2 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s

11/3 – Ringle, WI @ Q&Z Expo Center

11/5 – Kansasville, WI @ 1175

11/6 – Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club

11/7 – Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s

11/8 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground

11/9 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck

11/11 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar

11/12 – Memphis, TN @ Growlers

11/14 – Atlanta, GA @ Smith’s Old Bar

11/15 – New Orleans, LA @ The Parish at the House of Blues

11/16 – Miramar Beach, FL @ Village Door Music Hall

11/17 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

11/18 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend

11/20 – Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger

11/21 – Annapolis, MD @ Ram’s Head on Stage

11/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge

11/23 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club

11/24 – Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall

About JOHN 5: JOHN 5 has worked with a varied range of artists, performing as guitarist for some of the biggest headlining rock bands in the world such as Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, as well as playing session with Paul Stanley, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. Slash has called JOHN 5, “one of the most mind-blowing guitarists around” and Rob Zombie has dubbed him “a fucking shredder”. JOHN 5 has released seven solo albums to date, as well as a remix album, and has written music for the likes of Motley Crue, Steve Perry, Ricky Martin and others.

JOHN 5 and The Creatures is:

John 5 – guitars

Ian Ross – bass

Logan Miles Nix – drums

“Throwing Copper” 25^th Anniversary Edition

Live

Radioactive/MCA/UMe

Producer: Jerry Harrison/Live

2 LP’s

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

In celebration of Live’s momentous, platinum-selling album “Throwing Copper” 25^th anniversary fans can now celebrate the album that started it all for the Pennsylvania-based band via a Special Edition double LP. First released on April 26, 1994, “Throwing Copper” transformed Live into one of the most lyrically impactful and instrumentally powerful bands of the modern alternative-rock era.

In the mid to late nineties it was almost impossible to turn on the radio or MTV and not hear or see a song/video from Live and the album “Throwing Copper”. As the follow up to Live’s 1991 major label debut “Mental Jewelry”, the album was a big step for the band hailing from the small town of York, PA and would spawn two No.1 Modern Rock singles (“Lightning Crashes,” “Selling The Drama”) and since been certified 8x multiplatinum by the RIAA, selling over 8 million copies. The 25^th Anniversary release of “Throwing Copper” is a fitting recognition the monumental release and comes packed in a full color, dual gatefold sleeve with linear notes and is pressed on either standard black or limited edition red and olive heavy weight vinyl. Though no remixing and mastering was done to this package you do get 3 bonus tracks “Hold Me Up”, “We Deal In Dreams” and “Susquehanna” along with the track “Horse” which was included on the original release as a hidden track.

Revisiting this album in vinyl form was really a lot of fun. It instantly conjured up memories of when I had first heard some of these songs or when I was lucky enough to catch the band on one of their many college tours. Each track offered a warm, more natural sound than what I remember hearing on my digital version so that alone was worth the listen. The addition of the three bonus tracks was also a plus especial the track “Hold Me Up” which was featured in the Kevin Smith film “Zach and Miri Make a Porno”. If you every owned this album and reluctantly sold it to one of those “cash for cd’s” music stores that used to be popular around the same time as when this album first came out then I highly recommend you grab a copy of this album on vinyl as it will surely put a smile on your face while affirming that the 90’s weren’t all bad.     

Track Listing:

Side A:

1. The Dam At Otter Creek

2. Selling The Drama

3. I Alone

4. Iris

Side B:

5. Lighting Crashes

6. Top

7. All Over You

8. Shit Towne

9. T.B.D.

Side C:

10.) Stage

11. Waitress

12. Pillar Of Davidson

13. White, Discussion

Side D:

14.) Horse (Hidden Track On Original Release)

15.) Hold Me Up (Bonus Track)

16.) We Deal In Dream (Bonus Track)

17.) Susquehanna (Bonus Track)

“GET THE MONEY” ALL-NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM FEATURING ALL-STAR ROCK ROYALTY SUPPORTING CAST OUT NOVEMBER 8 ON SHANABELLE/RCA RECORDS

On November 8, Taylor Hawkins will descend from the levitating drum throne on which he’s spent two years on tour supporting Foo Fighters’ international #1 album Concrete and Gold. The forthcoming third Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders album, Get The Money, will be released by Shanabelle/RCA Records on that date, and can be pre-ordered now with all pre-orders receiving the instant grat track “Crossed The Line” (featuring guest turns from Hawkins’ bandmate Dave Grohl and Yes vocalist Jon Davison).

Pre-Order Get The Moneyhere. Listen to “Crossed The Line” here. Exclusive Merch bundles are also be available here.

Produced by John Lousteau and Taylor himself, and mixed by Sylvia Massy, Get The Money follows Taylor’s 2016 six-song mini-LP KOTA by three years almost to the day, and features a scope far wider than KOTA’s takes on suburbia’s bizarro underbelly. The new album finds Taylor and Coattail Riders Chris Chaney, Brent Woods and John Lousteau accompanied by an all-star supporting cast including Taylor’s fellow Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and Pat Smear, Roger Taylor, Joe Walsh, Duff McKagan, Nancy Wilson, Chrissie Hynde, Perry Farrell, LeAnn Rimes and more, collectively creating a staggering, epic sprawl that swerves from classic rock to prog and glam and all points between.

The track listing for Get The Money is:

1. Crossed the Line (featuring Dave Grohl, Jon Davison)
2. Don’t Look At Me That Way (featuring Duff McKagan, Nancy Wilson)
3. You’re No Good at Life No More (featuring Dave Grohl)
4. I Really Blew It (featuring Dave Grohl, Perry Farrell)
5. Queen Of The Clowns  (featuring Mark King)
6. Get the Money (featuring Joe Walsh, Chrissie Hynde, Duff McKagan)
7. C U in Hell (featuring LeAnn Rimes)
8. Middle Child (featuring Dave Grohl)
9. Kiss the Ring
10. Shapes Of Things (featuring Roger Taylor, Pat Smear)

Since the Texas-born Laguna-bred force of nature made his Foo Fighting debut on the tour supporting 1997’s sophomore opus The Colour and the Shape, he has been an essential element of the sound and personality of the last great American arena/stadium rock band.  He’s played on Grammy-winning FF albums including “There Is Nothing Left To Lose” , “One by One” and “Wasting Light”, and contributed lead vocals to Concrete and Gold’s “Sunday Rain,” as well as “Cold Day In The Sun” from 2005’s In Your Honor.

Taylor’s previous extracurricular output includes two albums from Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, one with The Birds of Satan, the above-mentioned KOTA mini-LP that featured Hawkins on lead vocals and nearly every instrument.

John Cooper is the vocalist/bassist for the Platinum selling rock group Skillet. The band recently partnered with Z2 Comics to release their first graphic novel titled “Eden”. Media Mikes caught up with John and the band at New York Comic Con to discuss the creation of the book, its similarities to the group’s music and if there will be books to come in the future.    

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us a little bit about the bands new comic “Eden”?

John Cooper: I love comics and they are something I grew up with. I have always looked at Skillet as sort of a theatrical band. When I say theatrical I am meaning more from an operatic feel than that of a visual feel like Kiss or Alice Cooper. I had always envisioned doing a comic book as I see us all as characters. I had sort of put it off because if it’s not done right it can become terribly cheesy. On social media I am always posting about comics and I ended up getting a call from Z2 Comics asking if I would be interested in doing a graphic novel. I told them yes and that I had some story ideas but I wasn’t sure where to begin. They said that’s ok as they had some ideas of their own. I wanted to do something that was more science fiction as opposed to hero driven. I was looking for something with a post-apocalyptic feel but with a message of hope. That’s something you don’t see a lot. The book has sci-fi and super-natural elements mixed in with some religious undertones. In my view I think all great science-fiction have religious elements. When I say “religious” I’m not necessarily meaning Christianity but just religious. Films like “Dune”, “Blade Runner” and “Battlestar Galactica” are solid examples of that.

AL: How much collaboration went into the book?

JC: I brought the theme of a dying world filled with people all having the same dream which is leading them to paradise. I worked with some really great writers who helped me put together all the different ideas I had. Sadly the idea of the glowing eyes was not my idea but one I really liked as it was sort of an homage to “Dune” which is one of my all time favorite books.

Ian Lawton: What did the rest of the band think about the comic?

JC: The band loves the comic. At first I think they weren’t too sure what to expect. My wife Corey knew what I was going for as she knows me really well. I think it’s hard for people to understand what’s in your head when you are creating something. Once the book was done I think they were a little shocked as to how good it was and how emotional it is.

AL: Did the writing for “Eden” happen at the same time you were writing the band’s latest album “Victorious”?   

JC: Yes, I was writing for both things at the same time. It was a very crazy and busy two years. While these two things were going on I also released a side project EP titled “Fight the Fury” along with our drummer Jen’s side project “Ledger”. All of these things were basically written and released in two and half years. Writing for the comic was making me really want to write music so all of these things had me firing on all pistons. Each project worked off of one another.

IM: Was writing the book similar to writing music?

JC: I didn’t notice this until after the book was done and I had read it. I know that may sound sort of silly but, sometimes when you are writing you don’t always notice things others might as you are just going with what is coming out. After I read the book I felt as thou it was very similar to our music. The book is a little dark but it is meaningful. That’s what people say about Skillet songs and I think “Eden” has that same feel.

IM: Can you tell us about the special hardcover edition that will be available?

JC: That’s something that I am still waiting to see myself. I have seen parts of what are going to be in it and I am very excited for the finished version to be available. It’s going to have this really cool axe on it which is my weapon in the book. With this beard I sort of feel like a lumberjack and thought that an axe would be a perfect weapon as opposed to some of the other more futuristic weapons you see in the book.

AL: Is this just a one off book or are there plans to do others?

JC: The band is going to be out on the road until mid December so that’s going to have me tied up for a few months. We have started to talk a little about the possibility of more books but nothing is definite. I think it would be great to do a second one.

To order a copy “Eden” click here and to order Skillets latest album “Victorious” click here   

HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
ANNOUNCE LOST FREQUENCIES
DUE OUT NOVEMBER 8TH VIA PURE NOISE RECORDS

STREAM NEW SINGLE
“HARD TO BREATHE” AT SMARTURL.IT/HHBF

Supporting New Found Glory on upcoming
From The Screen To Your Stereo To Your Town Tour

Hawthorne Heights have announced they will be releasing a collection of B-Sides and Rarities titled Lost Frequencies, due out November 8th via Pure Noise Records. In addition to today’s announcement, the band released a brand new single and music video for “Hard To Breathe.” “I grew up in a home built on a fractured marriage, alcoholism, and a mother who loved us, but just didn’t know how to articulate it into words. We packed up all of our things and left my father behind in the winter of 1989, and never looked back. I didn’t see him again, until he was in a coffin” shares vocalist JT Woodruff on the personal track.

“Hard To Breathe is the story of my youth from 1988-1992. I spent a lot of time with quiet resentment, until I found my circle of friends, and felt outside love for the first time. While the story has some dark twists and turns, it’s really just an articulation of some of the coldest nights of my life.”

Fans can stream the new music video and pre-order Lost Frequencies at https://smarturl.it/HHBF

Hawthorne Heights will be supporting New Found Glory on their upcoming From The Screen To Your Stereo To Your Town Tour. Celebrating the pop-punk legend’s recent release of their third cover album, Hawthorne Heights decided they’d join in the fun and dropped a special cover of The Ramones’ “Pet Sematary” today.

“What is better than October and The Ramones? Hawthorne Heights has been notoriously obtuse when it comes to doing cover songs. For some reason, The Ramones are the great equalizer for us” shares Woodruff on the cover.

“We all love the Stephen King book, and watched the movie growing up, so it was a true no brainer for us. The significance is that it got us to play covers together after all of these years, and it opened our eyes to how fun it can be. In honor of one of the best months of the year, one of the best punk bands of all time, and the best storyteller that has ever existed: we give you our version of Pet Sematary. We’ve never down strummed so much guitar in our lives.” For more information on upcoming tour dates, please head to http://hawthorneheights.com/.

Upcoming Hawthorne Heights US Tour Dates:
November 2 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
November 3 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
November 5 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
November 6 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
November 7 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
November 8 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
November 9 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre
November 10 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
November 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
November 13 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
November 14 – Montreal, QC – L’Astral
November 15 – Rochester, NY – Anthology
November 16 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
November 17 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
November 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
November 20 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
November 21 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony
November 22 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
November 23 – Richmond, VA – The National
November 25 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
November 26 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn

This is the follow up release to the band’s latest full length, Bad Frequencies, which was released last year via Pure Noise Records. It was the band’s first full-length release since 2013 and gave fans a look back on why Hawthorne Heights has maintained such a strong presence in the genre while continuously growing, maturing and reflecting on life as musicians and as men. The album was produced by Hawthorne Heights along with Nick Ingram (Hotel Books, Capital House Studio), and mixed by Cameron Webb (Grammy Winner, NOFX, Social Distortion).

Fans can stream and purchase Bad Frequencies on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and at http://hawthorneheights.com/.

• HUGH JACKMAN – THE MAN, THE MUSIC.  THE SHOW.
• The United Center – Chicago, Illinois
• October 11, 2019

Most people know Hugh Jackman as the claw sprouting X-man known as Wolverine.  And if that’s all they know him as, shame on them.  True fans know him as the Oscar-nominated, Tony Award winning actor whose been singing and dancing for years.  And it was those fans that were in attendance at the United Center in Chicago as Jackman continues his very successful tour.

The show kicked off with a rousing performance of “The Greatest Show,” followed by “Come Alive,” both from the very popular film “The Greatest Showman.”  While performing, Jackman noticed a fan holding up a sign stating it was her birthday.  He very graciously bent down to give her a hug as well as take a selfie with her.  He then noted that it was technically his birthday already in Australia (he turned 51 on October 12).  While addressing the audience he noticed a young boy down below in the floor audience who was dressed up like Jackman in “The Greatest Showman.”  He climbed off the stage to say hello to the boy and received a huge hug from the boy.  Returning to the stage, he explained how his first stage musical was “Beauty and the Beast,” then proceeded to perform the song “Gaston.”

He shared some information about his wife of 23 years and then sat down at the piano to play (and sing) “All the Way.”  After a medley saluting New York City he told a story about how he had worked on “The Greatest Showman” for eight years before it was made.  He also noted how there had been multiple workshops for the film and that Keala Settle had participated in all of them.  He then introduced Ms. Settle, who pretty much brought the house down with a rousing rendition of “This is Me.”  After performing a song from her upcoming album, Jackman returned to the stage and closed the first act with a few numbers from “Les Miserables,” accompanied by an enthusiastic group of singers and dancers.

The second act opened with a clip of Jackman receiving the Tony Award for his portrayal of songwriter and performer Peter Allen in “The Boy from Oz.”  Jackman took to the stage AS Peter Allen and sang a few of the songs Allen had written/co-written in his career.    The amazing dancing continued as he performed a song – “A Million Dreams” – which included sign language which was part of the choreography.  Between numbers, Jackman continually told great stories and would occasionally wander into the audience to greet concert goers.  At one point, he addressed the audience as honestly as I’ve ever head a performer, thanking all in attendance for not only supporting him but for taking the tine and spending the money to do so.  This is a man who not only appreciates his fans but goes out of his way to let him know so.

A couple of Aboriginal songs, complete with Didgeradoos helped close the show, along with Jackman doing a moving version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  All in all, it was an amazing night with an amazing talent!

Mr. Jackman’s tour is continuing throughout North America.  To see if he’s coming to your town, click HERE!

SET LIST

The Greatest Show, Come Alive, Gaston, All the Way, New York, New York/On Broadway/Empire State of Mind, This is Me, Harder, Valjean’s Soliloquy/I Dreamed a Dream/One Day More, Not the Boy Next Door, Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)/Don’t Cry Out Loud/ I Honestly Love You/ Quiet Please, There’s a Lady on Stage/ I Go to Rio, Tenterfield Saddler, A Million Dreams, Luck Be a Lady/ Singin’ in he Rain/ I Got Rhythm/Steppin’ Out With My Baby/ Sing Sing Sing, 42nd Street/Thunderstruck, Art Song, Inhibition, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, From Now On, Once Before I Go

“Deserted”
Gatecreeper
Relapse Records
Tracks: 11

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

It’s October and what better time of year to unleash a crusty death metal album upon the world? After three long years and numerous splits and EPs later, Arizona death metal band Gatecreeper return with possibly the best death metal album of 2019. Deserted, released October 4th on Relapse Records is a shear force of nature. Upon listening, the album summons desert twisters of sand and sidewinders it’s so heavy.

There should be no worry of a sophomore slump here. These guys take their art seriously and have only honed in on what makes them so great. The musicianship and songwriting has elevated to new heights on this album. Every riff soaked song is seeping with what you love about Gatecreeper, with some new elements thrown in. Songs like “Puncture Wounds” will be a welcomed breath of fresh air for those growing tired of the early-90’s era death metal revival. While tracks “Everlasting” and “Sweltering Madness” may be the best material the best has ever released. Three minutes into the former and any self-respecting metalhead is telling their friends to “shut-up and listen to this part.”

They stick to their guns on this one and stay true to the Gatecreeper formula. Yet they still manage to bring something new out of the coffin and continue to impress. All of the bands influences are on display here, granting some nostalgia to old school death metal fans. Chase Mason’s vocals are as low as ever, while his blood-curdling metal shrieks have really tightened up compared to earlier releases. Guitar riffoholics Jack Maniacky and Eric Wagner have improved their skills and completely plastered this album in thick, heavy riffs. While the rhythm section, bassist Sean Mears and drummer Matt Arrebollo, have impressively made every song on the album engaging and great for head-banging. Let’s not forget about the amazing as always Godcity mixing done by the legendary Kurt Ballou.

This album should be listened to at high volumes and while you’re punching someone in the face. It’s heavy, grimy, and sometimes slightly melodic and creepy. Everything you need in a death metal album. If you’re sleeping on this band you need to get to the nearest record store or on the internet and become the next biggest Gatecreeper fan. Death metal and the metal scene at large needs bands like this to keep putting out quality music and make us all proud to be fans of this often overlooked genre. Check out “Deserted” today and be sure to catch Gatecreeper on tour with Exhumed throughout the end of 2019

Track Listing:
1. Deserted
2. Puncture Wounds
3. From the Ashes
4. Ruthless
5. Everlasting
6. Barbaric Pleasures
7. Sweltering Madness
8. Boiled Over
9. In Chains
10. Absence of Light
11. Anxiety (Bonus Track)

Media Mikes had the chance to sit down with Chase Mason of the metal band Gatecreeper to talk about the band’s sophomore album “Deserted”, out now. Chase also shared with us info on the groups upcoming tour, his approach to standing out in death metal, and his friendship with fellow artist Post Malone.

Ryan Albro: What would you tell people about Gatecreeper that have never heard of them before?

Chase Mason: Gatecreeper is a death metal band from Phoenix, Arizona. We play a catchy, mid-tempo style mixed with old school death metal. Even if you don’t like death metal you will like Gatecreeper.

RA: What would you tell eager returning fans about the new album, Deserted?

CM: If you liked the last record, Sonoran Depravation, you’re going to like this one. It shows a natural progression for the band and is a better, more concise, version of what we’ve already been doing. We’re not trying to experiment or be progressive here. It’s overall better than the last record.

RA: Gatecreeper has been gaining a lot of popularity as of late. How do you maintain relevance in today’s music scene so well?

CM: It’s important to use all the tools that you have to your advantage. I’ve seen a lot of bands that think they’re too cool to use social media or don’t play shows with bands they don’t think are cool. It’s better not to turn your nose up at certain things. It’s about being comfortable and staying true to who you are. As far as standing out in a sea of a million bands and artists, I think it’s really important to provide a full package. I try to pay attention to every aspect of the band. You have to have good songs to start out with, but the visuals are important as well. There are a lot of bands with really good songs that may not get noticed because they’re lacking in other areas. The music first, then your art, whether it’s album art, tour flyers or tour merch. I’ve tried with Gatecreeper to have a full package and have everything flow together and be distinct so that we stand out. There are new bands putting out records every day, there are a million shows that come into your town a year, so if you want to stick out, you’ve got to pay attention to all the little details.

RA: What can you tell us about the Brad Moore album artwork?

CM: It’s crazy. Anybody who sees it will think it’s crazy, in a good way. It’s important to me to have cool art. If someone’s at the record store or they’re online and they see that album cover it will grab their attention. Even if they don’t know who we are, they will listen to the record.

RA: Which tracks from “Deserted” are you most looking forward to performing live?

CM: Puncture Wounds is a very fast, up-tempo song for Gatecreeper. That song will be a great circle pit song. The end of the song Ruthless was written with playing the song live in mind. There’s a part in the song that as soon as it hits you’ll know it’s time for a circle pit. Since we toured so much on the last record, we learned what works well live. Deserted was the first record, while we were writing, where we knew a part would sound cool on the record, as well as live.

RA: What are the band’s touring plans for the album?

CM: We’re going to do two record release shows, one in LA, the other in Phoenix. Phoenix will be our hometown record release show. Starting on Halloween, we’re co-headlining a tour with Exhumed, with Necrot and Judiciary until December. After that we play the Decibel Metal & Beer Fest in LA. That’s what we have lined up for the rest of the year after the record comes out. We’re still finding out what we’re going to do, but next year we’re going to be doing some more touring for sure.

RA: When can we expect the Gatecreeper / Post Malone collaboration?

CM: I think you’ll be waiting forever [laughs]. I like Post Malone’s music, I like him as a person. I like rap and a lot of things that aren’t metal, but I don’t feel the need, nor do I ever want to combine them. I would play a show with Post Malone for sure. Will we ever do a song with him? Probably not. I think there has to be a line drawn somewhere.

• A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES WHITE ALBUM
• Kauffman Center For the Performing Arts – Kansas City, Missouri
• October 3, 2019

It’s often said of a great actor “I’d pay to watch him read the phone book.”  Well, this evening in Kansas City, I saw musicians who’d I pay to SING the phonebook.

Imagine having the opportunity to see these people in concert:  Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Mickey Dolenz, Joey Molland from Badfinger and Jason Scheff from Chicago.  Now imagine seeing all of the on stage at once, which is exactly what I did this evening at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City.

They hit the stage, along with a talented group of musicians, to help pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of an album simply titled THE BEATLES but known to fans all over the world as “the White Album.”  Great musicians performing great songs.  How can you lose?

There are 30 songs on the White Album, and, while not all of them are represented, the ones that are sound amazing.  Like the album, the show opened with Dolenz singing “Back in the U.S.S.R.”  Even at age 74, Dolenz filled the auditorium with one of the most recognizable voices in music history.  I caught the Monkees when they toured in 1986 and Mickey was the indisputable ring leader.  Nothing has changed.  It’s obvious he’s here to have fun and you can’t help but indulge him.  Rundgren, who I’ve been a fan of since he was in the band Utopia – AND WHO IS CRIMINALLY NOT IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME – spelled Dolenz on lead vocals with “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey,” pointing at the former Monkee while he sang.

After a few more songs, Dolenz announced that the audience was in for a special treat, as each of the main band members would also be performing a couple of their own hits.  He kicked this portion of the show off with “I’m a Believer,” followed by “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”  Then it was Molland’s turn and he entertained with a couple of Badfinger hits – “Baby Blue” and “No Matter What.”  Scheff, who very capably replaced Peter Cetera when the latter left the band Chicago, took center stage next with a mellowing version of “After All That We’ve Been Through” before switching gears into a rousing “25 or 6 to 4.”  It was then Rundgren’s turn.  Did I mention that, despite four decades in the music business and dozens of hit albums produced Todd Rundgren is NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?  He began his mini-set with “I Saw the Light” and added “Hello, It’s Me.”  That song is almost 50 years old but I sing it at the top of my voice every time I hear it, and tonight was no exception.  Thankfully the rest of the audience joined me.  Cross finished the mini solo concert with his hits “Sailing” and “Ride Like the Wind.”  A few more Beatles tunes and it was intermission time.

Rundgren, Cross and Dolenz

The show resumed with Cross alone on stage and he began the second act with a beautiful version of “Blackbird.”  The rest of the show was a constant barrage of Beatles song after song, each musically impeccable and perfectly sung.  In the second act, Rundgren began having fun.  He donned a couple of different outfits for a couple of songs, handing out flowers to the audience during “Sexy Sadie” and taking aim at the audience with an over-sized squirt gun while dressed as  hunter during “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill.”  Dolenz also had some fun with the audience, informing us that we were so great the band decided to also perform the entire “Abbey Road” album.  As the band played the opening riffs to “Come Together” I thought he might be serious.  Sadly, he wasn’t, though he joked that if they did play it he’d definitely need to be put into intensive care  The highlight of the show, to me, was Rundgren’s  kick-ass rendition of “Helter Skelter,” which earned him a much deserved standing ovation.  I did mention that Todd Rundgren is NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, didn’t I?

To sum it up, it was an amazing night of music played by an amazing group of musicians.  If you’re a fan of the Beatles, or any of the musicians on the bill, I urge you to see this show when it’s in your town!

SET LIST:  Back in the U.S.S.R., Dear Prudence, Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey, Martha My Dear, Yer Blues, I’m a Believer, Pleasant Valley Sunday, Baby Blue, No Matter What, After All That We’ve Been Through, 25 or 6 to 4, I Saw the Light, Hello, It’s Me, Sailing, Ride Like the Wind, Honey Pie, Why Don’t We Do It In the Road?, While My Guitar Gently Sleeps, Blackbird, I Will, Julia, Mother Nature’s Son, Rocky Raccoon, Revolution 1, Sexy Sadie, I’m So Tired, Happiness is a Warm Gun, The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill, Piggies, Glass Onion, Helter Skelter, Come Together (opening), Birthday.  ENCORE:  Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.

Upcoming Concert Dates

Oct 5 – Beverly, MA – Cabot Theater

Oct 6 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center For The Arts

Oct 7 – Orono, ME – Collins Center For The Arts

Oct 8 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse

Oct 10 – Staten Island, NY – St. George Theater

Oct 11 – Boston, MA – Berklee PAC

Oct 12 – Westbury, NY – Theatre @ Westbury

Oct 13 – Morristown, NJ – Mayo PAC

Oct 15 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre

Oct 17 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theater

Oct 18 – New London, CT – Garde Arts Center

Oct 20 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre

“Railer”
Lagwagon
Fat Wreck Chords
Producer: Cameron Webb
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Punk veterans Lagwagon return with a brand new studio album simply titled “Railer”. The 12 track releases which is being released via Fat Wreck Chords as was produced by Cameron Webb is the follow up to the bands 2014 release “Hang” which marked the bands return to the studio after a nine year lapse.

With nearly thirty years of being a band under their belts the members of Lagwagon which consist of vocalist Joey Cape, guitarists Chris Flippin and Chris Rest, bassist Joe Raposo and drummer Dave Raun could have easily sat back and phoned it on their latest release as they certainly have earned it. Instead the band which has been churning out albums since 1992 pulled out a shred-tastic in your face punk album that is equally fresh as it is familiar. Tracks like “Surviving California”, “Dangerous Animals” and “Bubble” showcase some impressive guitar work set against an extremely tight rhythm performance which serves as a near perfect stage for Capes signature vocals. Other notable tracks include the piano tinged “The Suffering” and “Pray For Them” and the bands take on Journey’s “Faithfully” which is the first cover to appear not as bonus material since the band included their version of the Agent Orange song “Everything Turns Gray” on 1998’s “Let’s Talk About Feelings”.

Clocking in at just less than forty minutes I was blown away with how much musicality Lagwagon packed in to this record. Listeners were given just a taste of the bands heavier side with previous releases but “Railer” rips the band-aid off as the band just goes for it. Despite the rather short run time I found myself listening to it from start to finish multiple times as there is just so much to take in and enjoy. Both long time listeners and newer fans will surely want to check out this release as it shows that just because a band has been around awhile it doesn’t have to become complacent and that music can always be taken and explored further no matter how many albums you have released prior or how many years you have been together.

Track Listing:
1.) Stealing Light
2.) Surviving California
3.) Jini
4.) Parable
5.) Dangerous Animals
6.) Bubble
7.) The Suffering
8.) Dark Matter
9.) Fan Fiction
10.) Pray For Them
11.) Auf Wiedersehen
12.) Faithfully

Tickets On Sale at SimplePlan.com

Multi-platinum selling rock band Simple Plan is set to captivate audiences across the United States this fall on their upcoming co-headline tour with State Champs. Kicking off on October 29th, the tour also features We The Kings and Northbound. Tickets are on sale now and available at simpleplan.com.

Since 2011, $1 of every ticket sold for a Simple Plan headline concert is donated to the Simple Plan Foundation, which has donated over $2 million to various charitable causes in Canada to help young people in need. The band continues their philanthropic initiatives on this upcoming tour, with the joint decision between Simple Plan and State Champs that all money raised will be donated to help children affected by the ICE immigration raids in the USA.

“We’re extremely excited to go on tour with our friends State Champs!” says Simple Plan. “We got to hang out with them and watch their show every day on the Warped Tour last summer and we knew right away we wanted to tour together. And with We The Kings joining the tour as well, we know this is gonna be a very special run for us and for all the fans! Can’t wait to see you at the shows!”

Simple Plan and State Champs cultivated their friendship while touring together on the final cross-country Vans Warped Tour in 2018. In addition to headlining the final tour, Simple Plan also performaed at the two monumental Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary events in Atlantic City and San Francisco last summer. Over the course of the last two summers, the band has been featured on Billboard, Vice, Loudwire, Setlist.fm, Rock Sound, Stereogum, and more.

Simple Plan is Pierre Bouvier, Chuck Comeau, David Desrosiers, Sebastien Lefebvre, and Jeff Stinco.

Upcoming Tour Dates:
10/29 – Richmond, VA @ The National
10/30 – Silver Spring, MD @ Fillmore Silver Spring
10/31 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
11/2 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre
11/4 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
11/5 – Worchester, MA @ The Palladium
11/7 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe Live
11/8 – Nashville, TN @ Marathon Works Music
11/9 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
11/10 – Indianapolis, IN @ Old National Centre
11/12 – Kansas City, MO @ Truman
11/13 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
11/15 – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre
11/16 – Houston, TX @ Revention Music Center
11/17 – Dallas, TX @ Houes of Blues
11/19 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
11/20 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
11/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium
11/23 – San Diego, CA @ SOMA
11/24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

For More Information, please visit:
Website: www.simpleplan.com

Merry Xmas Human Scum! So you’ve finally wiped your chin clean of Santa’s jolly old “elf gravy” and finished shovelling your faces full of baked goods. Well, your Lords and Masters GWAR are set to bring their very special brand of holiday cheer, to your shit hole town! Starting December 27th in Washington DC and running through New Years Eve in Cincinnati, OH, GWAR will return to the road on the “Use Your Collusion” holiday tour. Support on these dates will come from Unearth and Savage Master.

Lead singer of GWAR, the Berserker Blothar had this to say:
“Suck my candy cane and swallow my nog! GWAR are ready to cook your Christmas goose! So, pull up your chair at our dysfunctional family table and get ready to go deaf and blind from the loudest, hardest rockin’, heavy metal horror show in history. HO HO HO!”

Don’t forget, you can assure your corpse will have a spot on top of the pile by purchasing the “Lords and Masters” VIP experience. That’s right, you too can meat and greet GWAR and worship at their feet…for a price. All tickets and VIP packages are on sale HERE.

Each Lords & Masters VIP Experience Includes:
•One (1) General Admission Ticket with Venue Early Entry (potentially guest list)
•Exclusive access to GWAR soundcheck where you will pledge allegiance to your Lords & Masters!
•Tour of the weapons of your Lords & Masters
•Crowd Free Merch Access
•One (1) Souvenir item signed by members of GWAR
•One (1) Souvenir GWAR laminate
•Photo opportunity with GWAR in costume before they take the stage
•You will be killed by GWAR on stage during the show.
•Designated Slave Pit Area to pledge your allegiance before you are killed on stage by GWAR!

GWAR “Use Your Collusion” Holiday Tour Dates:

12/27: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
12/28: Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
12/29: Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
12/30: Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall
12/31: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts

GWAR “Use Your Collusion” Tour W/ Sacred Reich, Toxic Holocaust and Against the Grain:

10/1: Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
10/2: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
10/4: Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
10/5: Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
10/6: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
10/8: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
10/9: Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
10/10: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
10/11: Minneapolis. MN @ Skyway Theatre
10/12: Kansas City, MO @ CrossroadsKC
10/13: Denver, CO @ Summit
10/15: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
10/16: Reno, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse
10/17: San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
10/18: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
10/19: Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
10/20: Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
10/21: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO
10/23: Fresno, CA @ Tioga-Sequoia Brewery
10/24: Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco Theater
10/25: Garden Grove, CA @ Garden Amp
10/26: Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club
10/27: Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
10/28: Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
10/30: Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
10/31: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live
11/1: Austin, TX @ Empire Garage
11/2: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
11/3: New Orleans, LA @ Joy Theater
11/4: Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
11/5: Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue

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

“Louder Than Love” 35th Anniversary Vinyl
Soundgarden
AM Records
Producer: Terry Date/Soundgarden
Tracks: 12

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Soundgarden’s 1989 release “Louder Than Love” is the latest album from the bands catalog to be included in the Seattle natives 35 year Anniversary Collection. The fifth in a series of monthly vinyl releases commemorating the bands career includes the albums original 12 tracks pressed on limited edition 180 gram colored vinyl and comes packaged in a full color sleeve with original album art.

The bands first release on a major label is a landmark point in a bands career. “Louder Than Love” captures the rawness and attitude of early Soundgarden as they transitioned from the dingy and damp clubs of Seattle to being a staple on MTV. Packed with tracks like the controversial “Hands All Over You” and “Big Dumb Sex” the album is a glimpse into an angst ridden band that is pulling out all the stops to get them to where they want to go. “Louder Than Love” is a tempo roller-coaster as songs like “Get On The Snake” and “Gun” both feature arrangements with non-traditional time structures giving the album a unique feel that doesn’t allow listeners to get very comfortable.

Like previous commemorative releases in this series the packaging and album are nice to look at but when it comes to purchase appeal outside of that there isn’t much to entice would be buyers. With the absence of any kind of bonus material, remixing or even a digital download option I really found it difficult to find value in this especially if you already own a copy. Clearly these releases are geared towards new listeners jumping on the vinyl craze. I find this to be somewhat sad as for the fans that were around during the bands initial rise there appears to be nothing new on the horizon for them to sink their musical teeth in to. If you purchased a copy of this record upon its initial release then you have everything and there is no need to purchase the re-release but, if this is an album that has been on your list to pick up and you prefer the translucent orange vinyl to the standard original pressed black then now is a great time to pick up “Louder Than Love”.

Track Listing:

Side One:
1.) Ugly Truth
2.) Hands All Over
3.) Gun
4.) Power Trip
5.) Get On The Snake
6.) Full On Kevin’s Mom

Side Two:
7.) Loud Love
8.) I Awake
9.) No Wrong No Right
10.) Uncovered
11.) Big Dumb Sex
12.) Full On (Reprise)

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