GWAR Releases Video For “Viking Death Machine” Kicks off North American Tour This Saturday

GWAR Releases Video For “Viking Death Machine”
Kicks off North American Tour This Saturday

Human Scum! It is now that time of year and your Lords and Masters GWAR will soon awaken from their Antarctic slumber to devastate North America once again. The “Gore, Core, Metal and More” tour will be co-headlined by GWAR, and the mighty Hatebreed! This rolling heavy metal nightmare kicks off October 7th, following an appearance from GWAR at the Rock Allegiance Festival in Camden, NJ on October 6th. A complete list of all dates can be found below.

Before the tour begins, GWARis pleased as a bowl of bloody punch to share with you the new video for their epic song ‘Viking Death Machine,’ taken from their latest opus, 2018’s “The Blood of Gods,” a masterpiece of obscenity chronicling the rise of humanity against their makers, and the massive battle between GWAR and the forces of all that is uptight and wrong with the world. The video was created by Makinita Silva, an Ecuadorian masked Luchador who is also an independent 2-D animator.

Watch the video HERE.

Of the video, Blothar has the following to say: “Humans, are you ready to ride the ‘Viking Death Machine’? Our latest video is a faithful animated schlockumentary depicting my harrowing, blood-drenched defeat of the Load Warriors and the other denizens of Saturday morning raceway hijinx, including all of my fellow bandmates in GWAR. I am delighted to take my rightful place as the King of Cartoon Violence, and champion of the first annual Suck-It-Up-Butter Cup! Watch the video now! It’ll make you shit.”

GWAR & Hatebreed Co-Headline
10/6: Camden, NJ @ Rock Allegiance*
10/7: Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
10/9: Lawrence, KS @ Granda Theater
10/10: Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
10/11: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
10/12: Boise, ID @ Revolution Concert House
10/13: Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival*
10/15: Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo
10/16: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
10/18: Los Angeles, CA @ Belasco Theater
10/19: Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
10/20: Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
10/22: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
10/23: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live
10/24: Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
10/25: Sauget, IL @ Pops
10/26: Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
10/27: St. Paul, MN @ Myth Live
10/28: Peoria, IL @ Monarch Music Hall

*Festival Appearance

GWAR Headline Dates:
10/29: Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrews Hall
10/30: Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
10/31: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
11/2: North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
11/3: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
11/4: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater
11/6: Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
11/7: Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
11/8: Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
11/9: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
11/10: Richmond, VA @ The National#

#With Municipal Waste, High on Fire and Toxic Holocaust

12/31: Norfolk, VA @ The Norva

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

KISS to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Solo Releases with 4LP Vinyl Box Set

The Iconic Rock Band’s Four Same-Day-Released Solo Albums Come Together To Celebrate Their 40th Anniversary In
A Limited-Edition 4LP Vinyl Box Set Via Casablanca/UMe On October 19

Forty years ago today, each one the four founding members of KISS — Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss — released their respective solo albums all on the same day to much fanfare, chart success, and platinum sales. And now, four decades later, all four of these pioneering albums are celebrated in KISS: The Solo Albums – 40th Anniversary Collection, a limited-edition 180-gram 4LP box set by Casablanca/UMe that’s earmarked for release on October 19.

Preorders commence today, September 18, for the limited run of 2,500 vinyl box sets, available exclusively through KISS’s artist webstore (https://www.shopkissonline.com) and The Sound of Vinyl (https://SOV.lnk.to/KISSSoloAlbumsText). Each heavyweight 180-gram LP features a unique color to match its associated cover art; Gene Simmons appears in red vinyl, Paul Stanley sports purple vinyl, Ace Frehley contains blue vinyl, and Peter Criss is in green vinyl. All four albums are housed together in a deluxe black-matte slipcase that features glossy black images of the four artists’ faces surrounding a silver-foil print of the infamous KISS logo.

Also included in this set are four 12-by-12-inch posters of each album cover, plus an exclusive turntable slipmat that shows all four of artist Eraldo Carugati’s iconic, painted album-cover face images all connected together.

All four of these solo albums served to showcase the wide range of talents of each KISS bandmember.Gene Simmons, co-produced by Simmons and Sean Delaney, features the band’s bassist and co-lead vocalist switching over mainly to acoustic and electric guitar duties for songs that highlight his penchant for Beatlesque melodies, funk, and hard rock. Highlights include a remake of “See You In Your Dreams” (initially found on KISS’ 1976 benchmark album, Rock And Roll Over) and a cover of the 1940 Disney classic from Pinocchio, “When You Wish Upon A Star.” Guest musicians include Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, Bob Seger, Cher, Donna Summer, and Katey Sagal.

Meanwhile, Paul Stanley was co-produced by Stanley and Jeff Glixman and it showcases all-original material and stellar work across the board from the KISS lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, in addition to lead and acoustic guitar work from longtime KISS axe associate Bob Kulick. The super-catchy track “Hold Me, Touch Me (Think Of Me When We’re Apart)” reached No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

Ace Frehley, produced by Eddie Kramer and Frehley, finds the lead guitarist doing what he does best. Frehley’s foot-stomping cover of “New York Groove,” originally a 1975 hit by the British glam band Hello, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. Guest musicians include Anton Fig on drums (a sometimes KISS session musician who later became a member of Frehley’s Comet) and bassist Will Lee, both of whom went on to become core members of both of David Letterman’s late-night talk-show house bands led by keyboardist Paul Shaffer.

Finally, Peter Criss was produced by Vini Poncia, a onetime Ringo Starr co-writer who later produced a pair of key KISS albums, 1979’s Dynasty and 1980’s Unmasked. Most of the songs on Peter Criss had been written back in 1971 for the drummer/vocalist’s aptly named pre-KISS band, Lips. The album also boasts a rousing cover of Bobby Lewis’s No. 1 1961 hit single, “Tossin’ And Turnin’,” a song that KISS often wound up playing live during their 1979 Dynasty Tour.

Preorder KISS: The Solo Albums – 40th Anniversary Collection here: https://SOV.lnk.to/KISSSoloAlbumsText

KISS – KISS SOLO ALBUMS [4LP 180g vinyl]

GENE SIMMONS
SIDE A
1. Radioactive
2. Burning Up With Fever
3. See You Tonite
4. Tunnel Of Love
5. True Confessions
SIDE B
6. Living In Sin
7. Always Near You/Nowhere To Hide
8. Man Of 1,000 Faces
9. Mr. Make Believe
10. See You In Your Dreams
11. When You Wish Upon A Star

PAUL STANLEY
SIDE A
1. Tonight You Belong To Me
2. Move On
3. Ain’t Quite Right
4. Wouldn’t You Like To Know Me
5. Take Me Away (Together As One)
SIDE B
6. It’s Alright
7. Hold Me, Touch Me (Think Of Me When We’re Apart)
8. Love In Chains
9. Goodbye

ACE FREHLEY
SIDE A
1. Rip It Out
2. Speedin’ Back To My Baby
3. Snow Blind
4. Ozone
5. What’s On Your Mind?
SIDE B
6. New York Groove
7. I’m In Need Of Love
8. Wiped-Out
9. Fractured Mirror

PETER CRISS
SIDE A
1. I’m Gonna Love You
2. You Matter To Me
3. Tossin’ And Turnin’
4. Don’t You Let Me Down
5. That’s The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes
SIDE B
6. Easy Thing
7. Rock Me, Baby
8. Kiss The Girl Goodbye
9. Hooked On Rock ’N’ Roll
10. I Can’t Stop The Rain

LAMB OF GOD Releases Animated Music Video for BURN THE PRIEST Cover of Ministry’s “Jesus Built My Hotrod”

LAMB OF GOD Releases Animated Music Video for BURN THE PRIEST Cover of Ministry’s “Jesus Built My Hotrod”

Watch Now via http://jesus.lamb-of-god.com/

Legion: XX Available for Just $7.99 this Week via iTunes!

BURN THE PRIEST | Legion: XX | Out Now
Featuring Covers of Classics by Cro-Mags, Bad Brains, Big Black, Ministry, Melvins, Quicksand and More

RIAA-certified, Billboard chart-topping, five-time Grammy nominated Richmond, VA band LAMB OF GOD recently released their full-length covers album as BURN THE PRIEST, Legion: XX, via Epic Records. The album is a collection of songs reflecting the greatness of the classic punk, hardcore, crossover and noise artists that influenced them in their formative years, released in celebration of BURN THE PRIEST’s upcoming 20th anniversary.

LAMB OF GOD is pleased to reveal a brand new, Heath Bradley-animated video for their BURN THE PRIEST cover of the Ministry hit, “Jesus Built My Hotrod”. Watch the video now here: http://jesus.lamb-of-god.com/

Guitarist Mark Morton says about the track: “This was a benchmark song from the early 90s. We didn’t even originally plan on doing it – producer Josh Wilbur and I learned it real quickly and put it together. It turned out to be one of our favorite songs of the album. It features a side of Randy that people aren’t used to hearing. Nothing was planned, so it felt fun, and we just went for it.”

In conjunction with the video premiere, Legion: XX is now available for a special discounted price via iTunes! Make sure to grab your digital copy of Legion: XX for just $7.99 now via this link – but hurry – this sale price is only valid for one week: https://btp.lnk.to/legionxx/iTunes

While online, make sure to check out BURN THE PRIEST’s two other previously released videos from Legion: XX – for the Accused’s “Inherit The Earth” and Big Black’s “Kerosene”.

LAMB OF GOD may be one of the biggest bands in modern metal, but they will never forget where they came from. Mark Morton (guitar), John Campbell (bass), and Chris Adler (drums) formed the first incarnation of the band, BURN THE PRIEST, in the winter of 1994 after meeting four years earlier as students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Less than a year later, in the summer of 1995, they met vocalist Randy Blythe before adding Chris Adler’s brother, Willie Adler (guitar), prior to transitioning to LAMB OF GOD – and the rest is global metal history.

The tracks on Legion: XX are performed with the unmistakable precision that has kept LAMB OF GOD vital for two decades, but ultimately harks back to the raw, punk-driven sound first explored by four unsuspecting college students and a line cook-turned-vocalist in their beginnings as heavy music giants. Produced with Josh Wilbur at the helm, Legion: XX exhibits BURN THE PRIEST in their true element.

Additional stream/purchasing options for Legion: XX and pick up merch bundles now via http://smarturl.it/LegionXX. At the official store, you can also order a 7″ vinyl version of “Inherit the Earth” featuring a B-side of “In the Meantime” (originally performed by Helmet).

Legion: XX track listing:
1. Inherit The Earth (originally performed by the Accused)
2. Honey Bucket (originally performed by Melvins)
3. Kerosene (originally performed by Big Black)
4. Kill Yourself (originally performed by S.O.D.)
5. I Against I (originally performed by Bad Brains)
6. Axis Rot (originally performed by Sliang Laos)
7. Jesus Built My Hotrod (originally performed by Ministry)
8. One Voice (originally performed by Agnostic Front)
9. Dine Alone (originally performed by Quicksand)
10. We Gotta Know (originally performed by Cro-Mags)

LAMB OF GOD is about to close out their blazing direct support run on Slayer’s final world tour, featuring additional support from Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death. Tickets and VIP packages are still available now via www.lamb-of-god.com.

REMAINING TOUR DATES
SEPTEMBER
1 Blue Ridge Rock Festival, Concord, VA *Festival
7 Force Fest, Mexico City, Mexico *Festival

Visit http://lamb-of-god.com for dates and information on LAMB OF GOD’s European tour with Slayer, beginning November 1.

Ace Frehley Releases New Track, “Rockin’ With The Boys” New Album, “Spaceman”, Due In October

ACE FREHLEY RELEASES NEW
TRACK, “ROCKIN’ WITH THE BOYS”
ALL NEW SOLO LP, SPACEMAN, DUE OCTOBER 19, 2018

Photo Credit: Jay Gilbert

2018 TOUR DATES ON SALE NOW
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW

Listen to “Rockin’ With The Boys” Here

Founding KISS guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member ACE FREHLEY has released a new song today called “Rockin’ With The Boys.” This is the second song Frehley has released this year, from his forthcoming all-new Spaceman album, due October 19, 2018, via Entertainment One (eOne). Frehley previously released the track “Bronx Boy” in April.

Spaceman, Frehley’s eighth solo LP, features nine new original tracks including a cover of Eddie Money’s “I Wanna Go Back,” a ripping power pop makeover of the original.

“No need to worry, I’ll be home soon, ’cause I’m rockin’ with the boys,” Frehley sings on “Rockin’ With the Boys,” which tells the tales of life on the road. Ace says he wrote the original version of the song back in KISS’s heyday in the ’70s. Both “Rockin With The Boys” and “Bronx Boys” are available on all streaming platforms today, and are iTunes instant grat tracks for fans who preorder the album.

In addition to Ace’s distinctive guitar sound on each track, Ace played bass on all of the songs on Spaceman except for two. The listener might recognize the mighty dinosaur growl of a bass tone belonging to Gene Simmons on the album opener, “Without You I’m Nothing,” which Gene also co-wrote, and “Your Wish Is My Command.” Both songs were recorded at Frehley’s home studio in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Ace’s reconnection with Simmons and fellow KISS vocalist-guitarist Paul Stanley (who joined Ace on a cover of Free’s “Fire and Water” for 2016’s covers LP Origins, Vol. 1) might be chalked up to the fact that Frehley has been sober for more than a decade (he celebrates 12 years of sobriety in September). Ace’s clean living no doubt has a lot to do with his productive streak, which began with the release of his top 20 Anomaly album in 2009.
Spaceman (a title suggested by Simmons, himself) serves as the first collection of all new Frehley-penned material since 2014’s Space Invader, which debuted at #9 on the Top 200 Chart. The LP scored the highest charting position of any former or current KISS band member ever and marked Frehley’s first return to the Top 10 since KISS’s 1998 Psycho Circus reunion album.

Widely known as the original “Space Ace” and founding guitarist for 16 cumulative years (over 2 tenures) of the multi-platinum selling rock band KISS, Frehley is demonstrably the most popular original member. In addition to having the best-selling solo album career (vintage or current) among the original foursome, Frehley’s self-titled Ace Frehley, released in 1978, went on to sell over one million copies, producing the only Top 40 single, “New York Groove,” from any of the legendary KISS solo albums (peaking at #13).

Tour Dates
Aug 9, 2018 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern
Aug 10, 2018 – Las Vegas, NV, The Pearl at the Palms Casino
Aug 12, 2018 – Los Angeles, CA, The Greek Theater
Aug 17, 2018 – New Hope, MN, New Hope Cinema Grill – An Evening with Ace Frehley
Aug 18, 2018 – Detroit, MI, Hart Plaza, Motor City Music Festival
Aug 28, 2018 – Adelaide, SA, Australia, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Aug 30, 2018 – Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Margaret Court Arena
Aug 31, 2018 – Sydney, NSW, Australia, Enmore Theatre
Sep 1, 2018 – Brisbane, QLD, Australia, The Tivoli
Sep 3, 2018 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Sep 4, 2018 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Sep 5, 2018 – Tokyo, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Sep 6, 2018 – Osaka, Japan, Billboard Live (2 Shows)
Oct 31, 2018 – Nov. 5, 2018 – Miami to Key West and Nassau, KISS Kruise VIII
November 9, 2018 – Clearwater, FL, Capitol Theatre
November 10, 2018 – Melbourne, FL, King Center for the Performing Arts
November 11, 2018 – Miramar, FL, Miramar Amphitheatre

“Spaceman” Track Listing
1. Without You I’m Nothing
2. Rockin’ With the Boys
3. Your Wish Is My Command
4. Bronx Boy
5. Pursuit Of Rock and Roll
6. I Wanna Go Back
7. Mission To Mars
8. Off My Back
9. Quantum Flux

Pre Order “Spaceman” Here

 

Related Content

Record Store Announces Full list of 2018 Releases!

RECORD STORE ANNOUNCES FULL LIST OF 2018 RELEASES!
THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RSD 2018 IS…
WAIT FOR IT… THIS ONE GOES TO 11!

Yes, this is Record Store Day’s 11th anniversary, and with apologies to Nigel Tufnul and Spinal Tap, we are turning all the knobs across the board WAAAAYYYY past 10 on April 21st to give everyone the best possible music and independent community experience!

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO DISCOVER EXCITING, NEW AND LIMITED-EDITION TITLES WHILE CELEBRATING THE CULTURE OF THE INDEPENDENT RECORD STORE, NATIONWIDE.

FEATURING RELEASES FROM JERRY GARCIA, PRINCE, RUN THE GRATEFUL DEAD, THE STOOGES, NOTORIOUS B.I.G., MADONNA, MASTODON, DISTURBED, PINK FLOYD, JIMI HENDRIX, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN,  RAMONES,  AND EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE ARTISTS! (WE TOLD YOU THERE WERE A LOT!)

IN THE INCLUSIVE SPIRIT OF RECORD STORE DAY, THERE IS TRULY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT ALL YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES ON APRIL 21ST, 2018!

Record Store Day is turning it up a notch in 2018, and everything is coming together to give you something very, very special on April 21st! More independent releases with newer artists, legendary names, iconic performances captured for posterity, limited runs, multiple formats, more heavy hitters, more long out-of-print reissues, more exclusive tracks, and more of everything else you were hoping for. Why? Because you deserve it…and because that is what Record Store Day does…every year, for all our participating record stores and their loyal customers. Find records you never thought you would ever see again, buy records you cannot get enough of, and discover records that will become your new favorites immediately out of the shrink wrap! We are extremely psyched about the depth and scope of 2018’s Record Store Day selections.

RSD 2018 Ambassadors Run The Jewels are fulfilling their duties by releasing The Stay Gold Collectors Jewel Box, a limited edition metal box set which includes a 12” EP etched with custom Marvel-branded art, an RTJ slipmat, and which provides a fitting place to house your RTJ vinyl collection. More hip-hop, both new school and old, comes to record stores courtesy of Rapsody, J Dilla, Czarface, Rob Base & DJ EZ-Rock, Nas, 9th Wonder and more.

Jazz fans have a lot to be excited about as ORG Music presents An Evening With Ornette Coleman (Part 2), taken from a 1965 concert at Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England. This album showcases Coleman’s experimentation with contemporary classical forms, features new artwork, and is exclusive to RSD 2018. Verve is releasing Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella Live at Zardi’s for the first time on opaque pink and opaque blue vinyl. John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” is being released as a 7” single through Atlantic, a replica of the original 7” “My Favorite Things Part I & II”, a hit single for the jazz giant in 1961. And Thelonious Monk’s 100th birthday is celebrated with Columbia/Legacy’s re-release of Thelonious Monk’s 1964 classic Monk.

The Motor City gets a shout out from a few titles this year, including Modern Harmonics’ release of two very early 7” singles from the MC5, pressed at Third Man Pressing. Third Man Records co-founder (and Detroit native) Ben Blackwell curates a collection called The Stooges (Detroit Edition). Speaking of Third Man Records, they offer a little Nashville in the mix, with a single from Joshua Hedley, a new country signing who you’ve probably seen leading the band at the iconic Robert’s Western World this past decade or so.

Today’s stars are well represented this year. Taylor Swift has taken over the pop world with several massive releases and Swifties can pick up special record store colored vinyl editions of three of them this April 21. New West Records’ Jason Isbell’s Live At Twist And Shout, is just that: a a six song recording of a performance from his 2007 in-store at Twist & Shout in Denver, Colorado. Mom & Pop Records has two from Courtney Barnett for RSD 2018: a 12” single with two songs from Courtney’s upcoming LP, and a picture disc edition of The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas.

The youth are wild, but the kids are all right, and that may be because of the music they get at record stores on 2018. Records geared towards kids but enjoyed by everyone include Rockabye Baby’s lullaby versions of Beastie Boys songs, a reissue from Brookvale Records of Marlo Thomas’ classic Free To Be You And Me and a Blitzen Trapper record created with toy instruments actually called Kids Album!

Various artist compilations and movies from films are a big part of the mix too. Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales continues its series of Music to Drink Beer To compilations and throws in a little sumthin sumthin by calling this edition Music to Drink Beer And Make Love To! Past & Present are releasing Girls in the Garage Volumes 2 and 3, collections of rare 60s girl group singles prove that long before Patti Smith and Joan Jett, girls were rocking in the garage as hard as the guys. Select-O-Hits brings us Malaco: The Last Soul Company 50 Years of Excellence, an RSD-curated collection of songs on gold vinyl from the 50 years of Malaco, featuring artists like Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Bland, proceeds of which benefit the BMI Foundation.

The Official Film of Record Store Day 2018 is The Godfathers of Hardcore, which tells the continuing fascinating story of Agnostic Front. Composer Aaron Drake’s score makes its vinyl debut on Record Store Day 2018.

In all, it’s one of the most diverse lists of titles ever to be put together for a Record Store Day celebration and whether you find an armful or a select few that pique your interest, they all play a part in helping us throw our favorite party of the year. We’re gonna leave with something that Reid Robinson of Co-Op Records of Moline passed along to us: “My favorite RSD quote ever was from a few years ago. A short, sweet statement from a teenage girl to her dad-
“YES! Christmas USED to be my favorite day of the year!”

For general information, please visit http://www.recordstoreday.com

A full list of titles and their accompanying artwork can be found here:www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases

World-Renowned Guitarist JOHN 5 Releases New Album “Season of The Witch”, Kicks off solo tour in support.

World-Renowned Guitarist JOHN 5 Releases New Album “Season of The Witch”, Kicks off solo tour in support.

“Season Of The Witch”, the brand new full-length instrumental solo album from world-renowned guitarist JOHN 5, is out now and can be ordered via iTunes, Amazon and John-5.com, or streamed via Spotify.

In celebration of the album’s release, JOHN 5 and The Creatures are kicked off their U.S. tour in Fife, WA on March 3rd. The tour will hit roughly 35 cities (with more potentially TBA), coming to an end in Chicago, IL on April 16. Tickets and VIP are available now – visit http://www.john-5.com/main/tour for more information.

JOHN 5 and the Creatures “SEASON OF THE WITCH” Confirmed Tour Dates:
3/3 – Fife, WA @ Louie G’s
3/4 – Everett, WA @ Tony V’s Garage
3/5 – Portland, OR @ Star Theater
3/9 – Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s Restaurant & Nightclub
3/10 – San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
3/11 – Fresno, CA @ Fulton 55
3/12 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
3/16 – Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar Rock-n-Roll Cafe
3/17 – West Hollywood, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
3/18 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill
3/19 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
3/20 – Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
3/22 – Austin, TX @ Grizzly Hall
3/23 – San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music
3/24 – Tyler, TX @ Clicks Live
3/25 – Houston, TX @ Scout’s Bar
3/26 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
3/29 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings
3/30 – Charlotte, NC @ Neighbourhood Theatre
3/31 – Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger
4/1 – Wilmington, NC @ Calico
4/2 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shaka’s
4/3 – Richmond, VA @ Capitol Ale House
4/5 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East – Downstairs
4/6 – Derry, NH @ New Tupelo Music Hall
4/7 – Queens, NY @ Blackthorn 51
4/8 – Boonsboro, MD @ The Stage House
4/9 – Falls Church, VA @ The State Theatre
4/10 – Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater
4/11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh
4/12 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora Ballroom
4/13 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
4/14 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue
4/15 – Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge
4/16 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies

JOHN 5 online:
www.john-5.com
www.facebook.com/John5official
www.twitter.com/john5guitarist
www.instagram.com/john5official

Biggest Game App Releases of 2016

The mobile gaming market is thriving and this is no coincidence – more and more game developers are entering the market and even Nintendo made a sort of appearance through their partnership with developer Niantic and the immensely popular Pokémon Go.

Suffice to say, gaming on mobile is huge at the moment and there are more and more high quality titles being released than ever before. Even popular gambling casinos are raking in huge interests thanks to popular casino app they offer for mobile players. Thanks to technological gains in newer smartphone and tablet devices, we can now enjoy some of the old classics in a better, HD environment, and even VR makes a stride every now and then.

Oh and we are going to be mentioning Pokémon Go a lot in this article, so be warned… yes, this is due to the fact that augmented reality games are making history, with more and more devs being interesting in experimenting with the new game play design. Alas, let us go through the list of the finest game apps that are available in 2016, in no particular order (yes, Pokémon Go is first, deal with it).

Pokemon Go (world-wide phenomenon, free to play)

With over 40 million downloads the first week, Pokémon Go is a monolith of mobile game achievements. It is a statement that a great concept, bellowed characters with global appeal and a horrendous technical support will lead to a massive success. Part of the enormous following and explosive downloads can be attributed to the first, real world Pokémon experience to date. Players could finally go out and “catch them all”… literally. With simple gameplay that enables exploring the outside world, meeting, trading and battling other players and more, this is undoubtedly the biggest mobile game of 2016.

Final Fantasy IX (huge game, better graphics, boosters available)

This port of the 2001 classic by Square Enix is one of the biggest mobile games to date. With a truly captivating storyline that spans hours upon hours of game play and dialogue, charming graphics that have been remastered and several new additions in the form of boosters, FFIX is back and thriving on mobile. Be warned though – the download is massive as well as the install.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes (memorable battles, heroes, tournament mode, multiplayer, etc.)

Episode 7 rekindled the love for Star Wars and its licensed games and this is definitely one of the best ones out there. With a huge rooster of characters that you can use for battle on iconic locations as well as the online multiplayer mode, Galaxy Heroes is what every Star Wars fan needs in the mobile galaxy, far far away…

FIFA 16 (free, available along with PC and console version)

Football fans rejoice – not only is the new FIFA available for mobile devices alongside the consoles, it showcases some impressive graphics and game play driven by touch controls… oh and it is completely free. Yes, that’s right, though we have no idea how we managed to fit “free and EA” in one sentence, but there you go. It is a true testament how far mobile gaming has risen, having one of the “more complex” gaming experiences for both PC and consoles, and having it transferred perfectly for mobile play.

Her Story (price: $2.99, mostly videos, unique story and “game play”)

A surprising and unlike any video game out there, Her Story is more a video than a game. It can be classified as a “video detective simulator” which doesn’t say much if you don’t try it out for yourself. It is a mystery game where you watch videos and try to find out what happened to the girl in the title. It is… difficult to emphasizes just how different the experience is to anything previously played – but it is entertaining and quite something new so check it out.

 

ANTHRAX release new lyric video and announce Festival show/North American Fall Tour

 ANTHRAX REVS UP BAND’S 35th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

WITH A NEW LYRIC VIDEO, MAJOR FESTIVAL & HEADLINE GIGS
ACROSS THE GLOBE, AND A NORTH AMERICAN FALL CLASSIC
WITH FELLOW BIG FOUR MEMBERS, SLAYER
Band Announces Special VIP Tour Packages That Include
Choice of Band Members’ Signature Guitar, Bass or Snare Drum

LOS ANGELES, CA — (TUESDAY, June 21, 2016) – Celebrating 35 years as a band, 2016 is proving to be a very good time for thrash/metal icons Anthrax, and the festivities are intensifying. First, today Anthrax is releasing the third lyric video from their new album For All Kings, this one for the track “Zero Tolerance.” The song closes the album and its message is very personal and particularly timely in today’s society, with the horrific rise in mass shootings and other forms of terrorism. In the words of Anthrax lyricist Scott Ian, “‘Zero Tolerance’ sums it all up. It’s about doing anything to protect your small circle of family and friends from the insanity of the world.” Check out the lyric video for “Zero Tolerance” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1_HKsoql1Y

The truth of humanity is far from insane
It’s focused, it’s cruel, it’s hearbreak and pain
As if I needed more reasons to hate
A savage decision that’s not hard to make
Family and friends, dare to threaten what’s mine
I kill motherfuckers for crossing the line
Tighten the noose round my life and I choose
Murder and mayhem ’cause I’m worse than you

 

Clockwise from left: Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Jon Donais, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

Anthrax’s 35th anniversary year will also see the band spending the bulk of June, July and August playing major music festivals throughout Europe. These will include France’s Hellfest and Download, SwedenRock, Graspop in Belgium, and the UK’s Bloodstock, as well as playing select dates with Slayer, Iron Maiden, and a handful of headline shows.

Then, the 35th anniversary will culminate beginning September 9 in Cleveland when Anthrax will join forces with Big Four comrades Slayer for a seven-week North American tour of major and secondary markets. This trek will also include appearances at several major North American music festivals including Ozzfest Meets Knotfest on September 25 in San Bernardino, CA.

“I find it hard to believe that all this time has gone by,” said Anthrax’s Charlie Benante. “I still feel like I did when we were first recording our Spreading the Disease album. For All Kings has been so well received, it really does make us want to take this to another level. I think it’s all so encouraging that, after all these years, here we are hanging out with out metal alumni Slayer. The two bands have never been better at what we do, that’s encouraging for the future of music.”

Added Scott Ian, “July 18, 1981 is the day I started playing rhythm guitar in Anthrax. Thirty-five years have passed since that day and my life has changed profoundly. I am a husband, I am a father. I am a long way from the 17-year-old soon to be college dropout that co-founded a heavy metal band. The only thing that hasn’t changed in 35 years, the one constant, I am still the rhythm guitar player in Anthrax. It’s what I GET to do. I GET to play in a band and I never take that for granted. It is a privilege. And the reason I GET to be in Anthrax is because for 35 years, people all over this planet have connected with what we do. There wouldn’t be an Anthrax if it wasn’t for the fans that heard something in our sound that made them want to bang their heads all those years ago. Together over these 35 years, we became part of something that changed the history of music and I am deeply proud of that. So to quote the Scottish poet Robbie Burns, “Here’s to us; who is as good as us? Damn few, and they’re all dead.” Thank you my friends…35 and counting.”

For the September/October dates with Slayer, Anthrax is making available a limited number of “VIP Kings Ensemble Packages.” In addition to the band’s new For All Kings CD, access to the band’s Meet’n’Greet, a personal photo with the band, early entry into the venue, and much more, these special packages will include the buyer’s choice of a Scott Ian Signature Guitar, Charlie Benante Signature Series Snare, or a Frank Bello Signature Series LTD Bass Guitar. Only 10 of these Ensemble Packages will be available. For more info on all of the Anthrax VIP Packages, go to http://anthrax.com/vip-info/

Confirmed dates for Anthrax’s 35th anniversary tour are as follows:

JUNE
25 Amnesia Rockfest, Montebello, Canada

JULY
2 Tuska Open Air, Helsinki, Finland
3 Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland (w/ Iron Maiden)
5 USF Verftet, Bergen, Norway
6 Terminalen, Alesund, Norway
7 Parkteatret Scene, Oslo, Norway
9 Jalometalli Festival, Oulu, Finland
11 Pumpehuset, Copenhagen West, Denmark
12 Live Music Hall, Koln, Germany
13 Skaters Palace, Munster, Germany
15 Gefle Metal Festival, Gavle, Sweden
16 Dynamo Metalfest, Eindhoven, Netherlands
17 Rock Fest Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
19 Castrelos, Vigo, Spain
20 Sala Arena, Madrid, Spain
22 Area Concerti Festival Majano, Majano, Italy
23 Fosch Fest, Bagnatica, Italy
24 Rock in Rome, Roma, Italy

AUGUST
11 Leyendas del Rock Festival, Villena, Spain
14 Bloodstock, Walton-On-Trent, UK
21 Pain In The Grass, Auburn, WA

SEPTEMBER
9 Jacob’s Pavilion, Cleveland, OH
10 Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, Detroit, MI
11 Ground Zero, Travers City, MI*
12 Sound Academy, Toronto, ON
13 Metropolis, Montreal, PQ
15 Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA
16 Anthology, Rochester, NY*
17 Revolution Rock Fest., Mashantucket, CT
18 Rock Allegiance Festival, Chester, PA
20 Egyptian Room, Indianapolis, IN
21 Concord Music Hall, Chicago, IL*
22 The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
24 Houston Open Air Festival, Houston
25 Knotfest, Devore, CA
27 Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL
28 Fillmore, Miami, FL
29 Club L.A., Destin, FL*
30 Horseshoe Casino Tunica, Tunica, MS

OCTOBER
1 Louder Than Life Festival, Louisville, KY
3 Norva, Norfolk, VA
4 Orange Peel, Ashveille, NC*
5 Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA
6 Varsity Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA*
7 Gas Monkey Live, Dallas, TX
8 ACL at the Moody Theatre, Austin, TX
10 Fillmore, Denver, CO
11 The Complex, Salt Lake City, UT
12 Rev Hall, Boise, ID*
13 The Wilma Theatre, Missoula, MT
14 The Hill event Center, Idaho Falls, ID*
15 Revolution Concert House, Garden City, ID
16 Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA* (offer)
17 ENMAX Centre, Lethbridge, AB
19 S. Okanagan Cvents Centre, Penticton, BC
20 Abbotsford Centre, Abbotsford, BC
21 Hawthorn Theatre, Portland, OR*
22 Discovery Park, Elverta, CA (w/Aftershock)
23 Reno Events Center, Reno, NV
22 Aftershock Festival, Sacramento, CA
25 Orpheum Theatre, Flagstaff, AZ*
26 Top Deck, Famington, NM* (offer)
27 El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, TX**

* Anthrax & Death Angel

ABOUT ANTHRAX:
This year, Anthrax celebrates its 35th anniversary as a band with the release of one of the year’s most-anticipated metal/thrash albums, For All Kings, (February 26, Megaforce in North America/Nuclear Blast internationally). The eleven-song crusher that the band’s drummer Charlie Benante has described as “aggressive and super-thrashy,” was written by Benante, bassist Frank Bello and rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, the dynamic triumvirate whose unique composition chemistry is, in part, what sets Anthrax’s music apart from other bands’ in the same genre. Add to that Joey Belladonna’s breathtaking vocals and the searing guitar leads by newest member Jonathan Donais, and it’s no wonder the band has been so excited about its 11th studio album.

For All Kings debuted at #9 on Billboard’s Top 200, becoming Anthrax’s highest-charting album in more than two decades. A first-quarter U.S. tour with Lamb of God consistently resulted in some of the exceptional live reviews Anthrax has received in its career.

Over its 35-year career, Anthrax has been a pioneering band with its unique style, sound and heavy brand of thrash metal, and, as Metallica’s Kirk Hammett put it, “one can hear their influence on any number of up and coming bands.” The band has sold in excess of 10-million units, received multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, industry and fans. From the race and genre barriers Anthrax helped break down in 1988 when they collaborated with Public Enemy on “Bring The Noise,” to becoming a card-carrying member of The Big Four – with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth – as one of the four bands that defined the speed/thrash metal genre, to being the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played “Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover, Anthrax continues to demonstrate it’s just all about the music.

Anthrax Official Website

 

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Writer/Director Justin D. Chambers Releases Advance Trailer for “American Bred”

Writer/director Justin D. Chambers has released an advance trailer for his upcoming film, “American Bred,” which will debut in March at the D.C. International Film Festival. MovieMike got an early peek at the film and loves it. Look for his complete review soon.

 

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DVD Reviews “The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!” New Releases

Every few months NCircle Entertainment has been releasing a new DVD for one of my daughters (and daddy’s) favorite shows. “The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!” is not only fun, it is also extremely education. Kids watching it learn without even knowing that they are learning. Top that off with the outstanding voice work of Martin Short, who really brings the Cat in the Hat to life, this show is a winner!

Over the past four months, they are released three two DVDs. The first and in my opinion the best is “Explore &; Imagine with the Cat in the Hat”. This release is not your typical themed release with 3-5 episodes, this is actually Volume 1 of Season 1 including 20 episodes! This is a huge and very important release for the show. Especially if you are a fan of the series.

“Explore & Imagine with the Cat in the Hat: Season 1 Volume 1”: The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! follows the adventures of 6-year-old best friends, Sally and Nick, as they are whisked off on extraordinary voyages of scientific discovery with the Cat in the Hat. In the Cat’s quintessentially Seussian vehicle, the Thinga-ma-jigger, they fly, float, rocket, and even shrink down to the size of a bee, to explore natural wonders from the bottom of the ocean to the treetops of the rain forest. Along for the ride are the Cat’s zany helpers, Thing One and Thing Two, and one very nervous Fish. In this first volume with the Cat, Nick and Sally, learn about how honey is made, why birds migrate, how whales communicate and so much more! So hop on the Thinga-ma-jigger and let’s explore!

Here are first 20 episodes from Season 1 included: “Show Me the Honey”; “Migration Vacation”; “I Love the Nightlife”; “Oh Give Me A Home!”; “Many Ants Make Light Work”; “Nest Best Thing”; ” Plan for Sand”; “Whale Music”; “Flower Power”; “Snowman’s Land”; “Dress Up Day”; “Bath Time”; “Tress Company”; “Now You See Me”; “Rain Game”; “No SSSweater is Better”; “A Tale About Tails”; “Sticky Situation”; “Night Lights”; “Go Snails Go!”

Next up is “Fun Feathered Friends”: There are actually 9 episodes included on this DVD with an approximate running time of 90 minutes. Usually these DVDs releases are 60 minutes, so this a nice bonus. The episode included are “Fast”; “Fabulous Feathers”; “Biggest Bird”; “Bounce”; “Timmy Tippy Toe”; “Cotton Patch”; “Paper Chase”, “Little Lemmings” and “Polar Adventure”. These are obviously themed focused around animals and teach a great deal about them as well. After watching this DVD and then bringing my daughter to the zoo, she say a peacock and connected it to this show, “Daddy, it’s the peacock from Cat in the Hat”. Mission accomplished.

“Fun Feathered Friends”: Let’s journey with Sally and Nick and the Cat To make feathery friends, imagine that! First, meet the fastest creature in the world! Who is it, you ask? It s Perry the Peregrine Falcon. Watch as he flies up to 150 mph, even when diving for food! Then play dress-up with Sally. Her favorite hat has lost all of its feathers where can she find more? It s time for a trip to Feathery Flats to meet Puranjay the Peacock! He has plenty of feathers and can teach us all about them. Birds are only the start of this trip with the Cat Take a look at what s inside, and hold onto your hat!

The last recent release is “Oh, the Skin We Are in!” or as my daughter called it “The Bones Cat in the Hat” (see the cover above if you are curious why). There are the typical 5 episodes on this DVD, running about 60 minutes. The episodes included are “The Skin I’m In”; “Jiggle Bones”; “Rumbly Tumbly”; “Keep the Beat and Sneezy Riders”. My daughter has really taken to this DVD and has since learned a lot about her body. She hit her elbow after watching it and said “Mommy, I hit my funny bone” and when we asked were she heard that, she said “Cat in the Hat, mommy”. So another score for this show.

“Oh, the Skin We Are in!”: It s time to explore with the Cat in the Hat! What shall we discover today? Ahhh-choo! Why, bless you! Nick can’t seem to stop sneezing. Why is that? Well, let’s find out with the Cat in the Hat! Hop on the Thinga-ma-jigger with Sally and Nick and learn all about the skin we re in the bones we own our beating hearts why our tummies rumble what causes sneezing, and how we can stop it It s a fantastic collection of natural science adventures, deep inside the bodies we live in!

Season 1, Volume 2 is set for a May 5th release date and is titled “Discover & Investigate With Cat in the Hat”. I am really glad that NCircle is releasing this show now in a seasons format. I look forward to that release for sure and also to future themed releases throughout 2015.

Ten-Four! “Reno 911!” Complete Uncensored Series Releases on DVD on November 4th

Bonus Content Includes Audio Commentary; Alternate, Extended and Deleted Scenes; Outtakes and Featurettes

Currently Available for Pre-Order on Amazon.com

NEW YORK, October 14, 2014 – Beloved cult comedy “RENO 911!” will now be available to take home when the complete uncensored series is released on DVD on Tuesday, November 4 by Comedy Central Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Available at Best Buy and major retailers nationwide, the discs are currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

A critically acclaimed, hit series which ran for six seasons, “Reno 911!” let viewers ride shotgun with the courageous men and women of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department as they lay down the law and put their lives on the line. Whether the Deputies are busting down the doors of a meth lab or busting “moves” at a local nightspot, the Reno 911! camera doesn’t blink.

Bonus features include audio commentary on 32 episodes; over an hour of alternate, extended and deleted scenes; almost two hours of outtakes; and featurettes “Cops Psychology: Inside the minds of Reno’s Deputies” and “Profiles in Valor.”\

The half-hour ensemble comedy was created by and stars Robert Ben Garant,Kerri Kenney-Silver and Thomas Lennon, and also features Carlos Alazraqui, Mary Birdsong, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Niecy Nash and Cedric Yarbrough. Throughout the 6-season run, guest stars included Aziz Ansari, Michael Ian Black, Wayne Brady, Andrew Daly, Charlie Day, Danny DeVito, Nat Faxon, Lou Ferrigno, Zach Galifianakis, Seth Green, Chelsea Handler, Jonah Hill, Cheryl Hines, Rob Huebel, Keegan-Michael Key, David Koechner, Nick Kroll, Lorenzo Lamas, Lisa Lampanelli, Natasha Leggero, George Lopez, Joe Lo Truglio, Jane Lynch, Ken Marino, Heather McDonald, Jerry Minor, Arden Myrin, Oscar Nuñez, Patton Oswalt, Jordan Peele, Brian Posehn, Jim Rash, Paul Reubens, Craig Robinson, Paul Rudd, Paul Scheer, Nick Swardson, Aisha Tyler, David Wain, Matt Walsh and Rainn Wilson.

Former Guns N’ Roses/Velvet Revolver drummer releases new video for his song “Ode to Nick”

Drummer/Frontman Matt Sorum has just released a new video for his song “Ode to Nick”. The somber track is the latest in a series of video releases from Sorums new solo project “Matt Sorum’s Fierce Joy” and come in the wake of the group’s debut album “Stratosphere” which was released in March of this year.

Sorum recently had this to say about the new video: “Ode to Nick was written as a love song to my wife Ace. I have always loved Nick Drake from the first time I heard the Song “Riverman” from the “Five Leaves Left” album. His poetry was beautiful, deep and honest – the way love should be. I used Nick Drake as a metaphor for love, and the romantic sentiment of his song titles are used throughout. I thought of the most peaceful place that I spent my childhood, at my grandmother’s lake house on Green Lake, Minnesota and the sound I would hear in the distance … a loon. Hence the chorus, “Love is a boat on a lake, Just you and me and Nick Drake”.

“I’d like to dedicate this video to the actor that played the Riverman on the bus stop bench Vince Guarino who passed away August 5, 2014. “There are things behind the sun.”

.\

Product Reviews: Recent Releases from Running Press

What is Running Press you ask? Whenever you go to a book store or any entertainment store and go to check out it is impossible to pay at the check out without passing their products. They consists of little toys, gadgets and mini-books. Check out below some of their recent releases, which I wanted to highlight to all of our fans!



Doctor Who: K-9 Light-and-Sound Figurine and Illustrated Book
Kit includes a miniature figurine of K-9, the Doctor’s trusty robotic canine, complete with audio of his catchphrase, “Affirmative, Master!” and light-up eyes. Also included is a 48-page book on Doctor Who and K-9, featuring full-color photos.

Everyone is in Doctor Who fever right now with the entrance of the new Doctor this month! But let’s not forget the classic characters like “K-9”. He is really cool. I love the “Affirmative, Master!” catchphrase, but I wish he had a few more saying though since my daughter loves to push the button…ALOT!

Elf Snow Globe with Magnets
Buddy the Elf is a Christmas classic! Keep him around all year long with this kit containing a snow globe featuring Will Ferrell as Buddy. Also included are two magnets featuring artwork and two of Elf’s most famous quotes: “I just like to smile. Smiling’s my favorite!” and “Son of a Nutcracker!”

Fall is here and that means Christmas is just around the corner. What is Christmas without “Elf”!? This is a must own for any Christmas fan…if not then consider yourself a Cotton-Headed Ninnymuggins! That’s right I said it 😉

Harry Potter Voldemort’s Wand with Sticker Kit: Lights Up!
This commemorative kit includes an 8-inch light-up replica of the wand belonging to the evil Lord Voldemort. The kit also includes a book of photographic stickers highlighting the most memorable battles with the Dark Lord.

Let’s give some respect to the Dark Lord. He is not only bad-ass but also packs a kick-ass wand. This item is some high quality craftsmanship…and looks so dark cool. Did I also mention it lights up?!

Planet of the Apes: Mini Replica of Statue of Liberty Scene
George Taylor’s discovery that the strange planet ruled by apes was earth all along is a classic moment in movie history. Recreate the scene with this kit! It includes: Mini replica of the Statue of Liberty, Audio of the movie’s last lines, Packet of sand with mat, Figurine of Taylor on horseback, 32-page book of quotes and full-color photos

YOU MANIACS! YOU BLEW IT UP! OH, DAMN YOU! GODDAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! I can listening to this all day long! Great job Running Press, this is like a mini Zen garden…with Apes.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutagen Ooze and Illustrated Book
This kit includes a canister of green glow-in-the-dark mutagen ooze, ten temporary tattoos, two magnets, and a 48-page full-color book on the history of TMNT.

TMNT is one hot topic right now. My daughter, who is two, makes it her duty to stick anything she can find in the ooze every night before bed. Super cool for any TMNT fan!! Ninja ninja rap!…sorry…couldn’t help myself!

Transformers: Light-Up Optimus Prime Bust and Illustrated Book: With Sound
This collectible kit includes a miniature bust of the iconic and powerful leader Optimus Prime, with eyes that light up and a sound feature that plays seven of his classic lines! Also included is a 48-page book with quotes and illustrations from the 1980s animation.

Optimus Prime the coolest dude ever…when it comes to Transformers! This awesome toy plays some great clips. I just wish it would have, I don’t know maybe, transformed a little or something 😉

 

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Blu-ray Reviews: Mill Creek Entertainment – July 22nd Releases

Mill Creek Entertainment  is releasing six new titles to their Blu-ray catalog on July 22nd. We have the following Matthew Robbins’ “The Legend of Billie Jean” (1985), Phil Joanou’s “Gridiron Gang” (2006), Joel Schumacher’s “Flatliners” (1990), Luis Llosa’s “Anaconda” (1997), John McTiernan’s “Last Action Hero” (1993), and Mike Newell’s “Donnie Brasco” (1997). We received four of these six to review for the site but the results are in and we are not very impressed with these releses.

“Anaconda” Official Premise: A film crew headed by anthropologist Steve Cale and director Terri Flores journey through a river to find a mysterious Indian tribe and shoot a documentary on them. They save a guy called Paul Sarone from a sinking boat. He offers to help in their search for the tribe, but he is actually a snake-hunter looking for legendary anaconda snake, and when Cale is bitten by some tropical insect, Sarone takes over the boat.

I do not think that “Anaconda” is a very good film today. It thought it was good when I saw it in theaters many years ago but it certainly hasn’t stood up to time. This is the not the first time that this film has been released on Blu-ray either. It was put out back in 2009 by Sony Picture. It had a solid 1080p transfer, as does this, and a rocking Dolby TrueHD 5.1, unlike this. This Blu-ray only trumps a Dolby Digital 2.0 track, which is barely DVD quality in today’s standards. It also includes no special features of any sort, though the 2009 Blu-ray was bare bones as well.

“Donnie Brasco” Official Premise: Posing as jewel broker Donnie Brasco, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) is granted entrance into the violent mob family of aging hitman Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). When his personal and professional lives collide, Pistone jeopardizes his marriage, his job, his life and, ultimately, the gangster mentor he has come to respect and admire. From acclaimed director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and featuring an extraordinary supporting cast including Michael Madsen, Anne Heche, Bruno Kirby and James Russo, Donnie Brasco is “one terrific movie!” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone).

Being an Italian man with a huge Italian family, it is hard not to quote this film at least once a month. It’s a fugazi!! “Donnie Brasco” has also been released before by Sony Pictures dating back to 2007. Though in that release only the Extended Cut was included. This release now only includes the Theatrical Cut. The 2007 Blu-ray included a nice LPCM 5.1 track and a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, while this one only includes the latter. That is two for two of these new releases from Mill Creek with only DVD quality audio. Top it out with no special features, even though 2007 release extras sucked they at least still has something.

“Flatliners” Official Premise: An ambitious, charismatic medical student persuades his classmates to take part in a reckless experiment. To see if there is life after death, they will kill themselves: temporarily shut down (“flatline”) their heart and brain functions to briefly experience clinical death. Their horror begins when they realize that although they’ve come back alive… they haven’t come back alone.

It has been many years since I last watched this film, it is still a great ride. “Flatliners” has continued to flat line for their Blu-ray releases. In case you are not seeing a trend here. This film has also previously been released by Sony on Blu-ray dating back to 2007. It came with disappointing 1080p transfer and a flat LPCM 5.1 audio track. This release continues that trend but also only includes a Dolby Digital 2.0 track for the audio, which fares even worse than the original. Lastly, there are no special features included at all, which though matches the previous release.

“Last Action Hero” Official Premise: Danny Madigan knows all the first 3 Jack Slater movies in and out. The 4th one is just about to be released too, and with a magical ticket Danny really gets to know that movie in and out too, literally speaking. During one of the action climaxes Danny is transported into the movie, into a world following other rules than the real one. Benedict, one of the evil guys, gets hold of the ticket and escapes out to the real world, a world where evil guys can actually win. Danny and Jack follow him back to the real world to get back the ticket and stop Benedict from killing the actor playing Jack.

“Last Action Hero” was never my favorite Schwarzenegger film. It has its moments but nothing too memorable. This film like the past three has received a Blu-ray release back in 2010 from Sony Pictures. It includes easily the best audio and video of the four combined. Though the 1080p transfer holds up with this release, once again we are missing out on a solid action packed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for a lame Dolby Digital 5.1 track. There are no special features included either but in case you are skipping around here, none of these have any extras included.

So I know these don’t sound to flattering from but if you like these films, it is worth the less than $10 bucks to pick them up. They are not stunning Blu-ray releases at all but they are worth a few bucks if you have a hankering to revisit these films and do not already own them, just as long as you aren’t looking for an impressive release you will not be disappointed.

Choo Choo Soul’s Genevieve Goings releases new song “My Telephone Number Is”

Hey parents!! Right off the press…Choo Choo Soul’s Genevieve Goings just released her first song from her upcoming independent Children’s Album “Do You Know?”, called “My Telephone Number Is”. The song helps teach kids their phone number with the help of the grownups in their life.

Click here to purchase the song on iTunes. Support learning for kids through music AND, your kids will learn their phone numbers in the process! Plus it is pretty darn catchy and I have found myself humming it constantly, so it is great for parents as well.