Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde talks about new album and “Evening with Zakk Wylde” tour

Zakk Wylde is a name that needs no introduction. From his legendary work with heavy metals “Prince of Darkness” Ozzy Osbourne to his signature pinch harmonic filled works with Black Label Society, Zakk’s mark on music is certainly present. Starting in February of 2014 Zakk will be hitting the snow covered roads of Canada as part of his “Evening with Zakk Wylde” tour. The shows will feature a mixture of music and readings from Zakk’s 2012 book titled ”Bringing Metal to the Children: The Complete Berzerker’s Guide to World Tour Domination”. Media Mikes had the pleasure of speaking with Zakk recently about the tour, Black Label Society’s upcoming album and about the recent departure of long time Black Label guitarist Nick Catanese.

Adam Lawton: What can we be expecting from the upcoming run of “An Evening with Zakk Wylde” shows?
Zakk Wylde: Aside from a lot of pyro, concussion bombs and the launch of the Black Label Society winter collection of men’s lingerie it’s going to be us up there jamming.(Laughs) I am going to be doing some solo stuff with the guitar and singing and then with the piano as well. Along with the music I will be doing some readings from “Bringing Metal to the Children” and doing Q and A sessions with the fans. We will be talking about everything from what gear I use to Ozzy stories to how many times a day I get prostate exams. (Laughs)

AL: Will a lot of the music resemble what we saw/heard on the recent “Unblackened” release and can you tell us about the special VIP packages that are available for the shows?
ZW: Yes, totally. I think some of the stuff we will we doing is even more stripped down than the “Unblackened” stuff. For the VIP packages again I want to make sure everyone is healthy and regular so they get the free prostate exam as well. (Laughs) There’s only 25 available for each show and along with a meet and greet fans who purchase these will also get some other cool Black Label Society goodies.

AL: The shows announced thus far are all in Canada. Will there be more happening later on in the States?
ZW: We did two short runs on the East and West coasts with this type of layout. I thought it would be cool to take it to Canada as we always have a blast when we are up there. It worked out that there was some time before the new album coming out that we could put these shows together. Everything has worked out great scheduling wise before we roll out the new album in April.

AL: You also will be out as part of the Experience Hendrix tour and as part of the Metal All Stars tour. How did you get involved with being a part of those tours?
ZW: The Hendrix thing is going to be really great. I am a fan of everyone who is playing on those shows and it’s going to be cool to see what they all bring. A lot of these guys I have never met before so it will be a cool experience that I am really looking forward to. The Metal All Star stuff is another batch of shows that are going to be really cool as well. Whenever I get invited to do these things it always ends up being a good time.

AL: With the Hendrix material being a bit different from what you’re known for have you been doing anything special to get ready for these shows?
ZW: I have done covers of people’s material as bonus tracks and such on previous albums so Black Label-izing songs is something I am familiar with. Whenever you get to cover an artist or a song you really like it’s always a good time. With the Hendrix material things will be no different. I am going to probably pick a couple more obscure songs to do as I’m sure songs like “Purple Haze” and “Voodoo Chile” will already be in the set. I’m just going to pull out some of my favorites and jam them out. I think it’s cool when you hear someone else’s take on a song. The Hendrix song that Stevie Ray Vaughn did as well as Sting’s version of “Little Wing” are both slamming.

AL: Can you give us an update on the new Black Label Society album?
ZW: We are just finishing mixing and plan to release it in April. This new album is one that it going to be back to the heavy riffs that the band is known for. I can’t believe that it’s been 4 years since our last studio album “Order of the Black”. We have been really busy since that release so time has passed quickly. For a while we were putting out an album a year which was fun as I love being in the studio just as much as I like being on stage. Some guys like one over the other but I love them both equally. They are different as when you are in the studio it’s a controlled environment and live is live. You have one shot and that’s it. With the studio you can sit back and look at things and add stuff here and there.

AL: With Nick Catanese recently leaving Black Label Society how do you feel the band dynamics will change seeing that Nick had been with the band for 15 plus years?
ZW: Nick played with me on the “Book of Shadows” tour before there was Black Label Society. We were driving 20,000 miles crammed in an Astro van playing to 10 people every night. I will always love Nick as he is a family member. When he came to me and said that his new project was something he felt he had to do I totally supported his decision. I want the guys who I play with to go on and do well. I wish him all the best. We have a couple contenders in the running for that spot right now and I am either going to have them come out with us on the Canadian run or have them with us at this year’s NAMM show which we have to have a second guitar player for. The short list we have are all great players. Nick is a rock so not having him around after 17 years of being together will be different. The thing about Black Label is that everyone who has been involved with the band has been unique and brought their own thing to the group. Once this new guy is in they are in till they decide to leave. If Nick wanted to come back and do a run with us some time our doors are always open. That’s just how things are with this band. We are all buddies.

AL: Being an artist who is always releasing new signature music gear do you have anything planned for release at this year’s NAMM show?
ZW: As far as the signature stuff goes I have the new Gibson Moderne of Doom that was released recently. With that I took an old classic and updated it. This guitar now has more of a Les Paul type neck which comes with an ebony fret board. This is one of those guitars that is so ugly it’s awesome! That’s why I love it.

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, black, evening, label, societys, talks, ...

Dir En Grey’s Kaoru talks about US tour and new DVD “Tour 12-13 In Situ Tabula Rasa”

Kaoru is the guitarist for the Japanese rock band Dir En Grey. The group has a new DVD out titled “Tour 12-13 In Situ Tabula Rasa” and in November will be touring the United States for the first time in two years. With the help of Kaoru’s translator Media Mikes was able to talk with him about the bands new DVD, the upcoming tour and the groups plans for a new album.

Adam Lawton: What can you tell us about the bands new concert DVD?
Kaoru: The DVD is really a documentary about the band returning from a hiatus we took due to our singer having some vocal issues. The film covers everything from then up until the last date of our most recent European tour which concluded this past summer.

AL: Having filmed a few other DVD’s how does the new one differ from previous ones the band has been involved in.
Kaoru: We have in the past released a number of live concert DVD’s. The main focus of this one was to show the process of what the band had to go through and what we had to do to overcome our singers vocal problems. There was a period for the band after returning that everything was going well but then our singer was hit with more health problems. We didn’t know what to do as a band and this DVD shows all of that.

AL: What does the band enjoy most about releasing DVD’s as they do require quite a bit of work?
Kaoru: Every show that we do as a band is different. Even though the songs may be the same we still might do something different from night to night. Some of our previous releases are from one night of a tour while others are made up multiple shows edited together. We like to release a lot of different things which is something we as a band just realized.

AL: Can you tell us about the bands upcoming tour?
Kaoru: We are staring of with some shows in Japan and in November we will be touring the United States. This will be our first time there in quite some time. Having been two years since our last trip to the United States I am sure our fans there are waiting for us and we are all looking forward to meeting everyone again. This band is now at the point where we want to see just how far we take this so now is the time for us to do that. We are currently working on our stage set for the show and we are hoping that we can bring some of what we do at our shows in Japan over to the States. We will definitely be bringing something different for everyone to see.

AL: What do you feel is the biggest challenge when touring outside of your country?
Kaoru: Definitely the language barrier. Not so much when it comes to performing our songs but when it comes to interacting with people on a daily basis. If we all just spoke the same language things would be so much easier. (Laughs) You can actually one instance where we are on stage at a festival in Europe and some trouble occurs and because we don’t speak English this turned into a bigger trouble. We have the textbook knowledge of a lot of different places but we are missing some things due to the language barrier.

AL: Has the band begun talking about starting work on any new material?
Kaoru: We have been talking about starting work on some new songs. Nothing is concrete yet but after this tour concludes we will be starting work on a new album.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: 2, 2011, age, agis, dir, dvd, ...

Cher Announces “Dressed to Kill” Tour Beginning March 22nd in Phoenix

49 City North American Tour Celebrates the Legend’s New “Closer To The Truth” CD

It’s now official. The one and only Cher herself revealed that she will kick off her “Dressed To Kill” 49 city North American Tour beginning in Phoenix on March 22nd with stops in NY, LA, Boston, Las Vegas, and other major markets. Cher shared the happy news with her fans following her performance on the Today Show this morning.

A full list of “Dressed to Kill” tour dates and cities follows this release. The national tour promoter is Marshall Arts USA. For ticket information and to sign up for tour updates please go to Cher.com.

Cher’s previous tour “The Farewell Tour” later dubbed “The Never Can Say Goodbye Tour” was one of the most successful tours ever by a solo artist and played for a record-breaking 325 dates and seen by over 5.5 million people.

American Express® Cardmembers can purchase their tickets to select cities before the general public beginning Monday September 30th, 10am through Thursday, October 3rd, 10pm.

For all online tickets purchased (presale and general public), ticketholders will receive a free copy of Cher’s new album “Closer To The Truth”, out September 24th on Warner Bros Records.

Cher is in New York this week celebrating the album’s release with upcoming appearances on David Letterman (Sept. 24th) and Live! with Kelly & Michael (October 1st). Cher will also be appearing as a mentor with Blake Shelton on NBC’s The Voice airing in October.

CHER ‘DRESSED TO KILL’ TOUR
Sat, March 22 Phoenix, AZ  – US Airways Center
*Mon, March 24 Houston, TX – Toyota Center
*Wed, March 26 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Fri, March 28 Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena
Sat, March 29 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
Mon, March 31 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Wed, April 2 Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
*Fri, April 4 Washington DC – Verizon Center
Sat, April 5 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
Mon, April 7 Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Wed, April 9 Boston, MA – TD Garden
Fri, April 11 Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Sat, April 12 Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena
Wed, April 23 Buffalo, NY – First Niagara Center
Fri, April 25 Montreal, QC – Bell Center
Sat, April 26 Ottawa, ON Canada – Tire Centre
*Mon, April 28 Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Wed, April 30 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Fri, May 2 Cleveland, OH – Quicken Loans Arena
Mon, May 5 Charlotte, NC – Times Warner Cable Arena
Wed, May 7 Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
*Fri, May 9 Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
*Sat, May 10 East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center
*Mon, May 12 Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
Wed, May 14 Jacksonville, FL – Veterans Memorial Arena
Fri, May 16 Orlando, FL – Amway Center
Sat, May 17 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – BB&T Center
Sun, May 25 Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand
Wed, May 28 Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
Fri, May 30 Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
Sat, May 31 Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
Mon, June 2 Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
Wed, June 4 St. Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
Fri, June 6 Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Bradley Center
Sat, June 7 Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
Mon, June 9 Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
Wed, June 11 Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Fri, June 20 Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
Sat, June 21 Saskatoon, SK – Credit Union Centre
Mon, June 23 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
Wed, June 25 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Fri, June 27 Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
*Sat, June 28 Seattle, WA – Key Arena
Mon, June 30 Portland, OR – Moda Center
*Wed, July 2 San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose
Sat, July 5 Ontario, CA – Citizens Business Bank Arena
*Mon, July 7 Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
*Wed, July 9 Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
Fri, July 11 San Diego, CA – Valley View Casino Center

(*American Express® Cardmembers can purchase tickets before the general public.*)

 

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Featured, Music Headlines Tagged With: 22nd, announces, beginning, cher, dressed, kill, ...

Papa Roach’s Jerry Horton talks their tour “Carnival of Madness”

Jerry Horton is the guitarist for the multi-platinum rock group Papa Roach. The group’s latest release “The Connection” has been tearing up the rock charts and Media Mikes caught up with Jerry recently to discuss the bands career at the Big Flats, NY stop of the Carnival of Madness tour which along with Papa Roach features Skillet and Shinedown.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about the bands decision to tour as a package as opposed to a solo headlining run?
Jerry Horton: I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that last year we were supposed to be part of a package tour however due to Jacoby’s vocal problem we had to cancel those shows. We were trying to figure out what to do this year tour wise and the guys from Shinedown hit us up. We have toured with them before and it’s always been a great time so that’s what we decided to do.

AL: Having not toured immediately upon the latest albums release how has the reception been towards the new material on this tour run?
JH: It’s been really good. We have had quite a few people up front just singing along to the new stuff. That’s not something we expect especially from say a Shinedown crowd. Not to say there isn’t cross pollination of our fans and Shinedown fans happening but with them being the headliner you don’t expect to see people singing along to some of our heaviest songs. Things have been great on the tour and each night we flip flop sets with Skillet so some nights we play earlier and other nights we have the later slot. The challenge of getting everyone up out of their seats is one we enjoy and we have had a lot of people up and dancing this time out.

AL: Having a career that is going on 20 years now what do you feel has been the
bands biggest progression over the course of that time?
JH: I would have to say that probably our biggest change happened just recently. We introduced some more electronic elements to our sound. We had a little bit here and there in the past like on “Getting Away with Murder” but it was never really as much in the forefront as it is on this record. We wanted to do that in a way that wouldn’t take away from the rock element of the band. When we write and record we will do the main guitar part and then layer over the top of that. With the electronic sounds we want those to help people differentiate between the various parts of the songs. There are a lot more textures going on in the newer material however I wanted the beats to resemble those from our earlier records.

AL: From a tonal stand point do you feel the band’s sound has changed at all?
JH: I wouldn’t say it has changed so much. We have used different amps from time to time but for our main sound whether I am using a Marshall, a Bogner or a Boogie I have a certain frequency range that I like my sound to sit in. Whatever amp I am using will generally fit in there. You can kind of hear some differences if you go back to the “Infest” album and compare it to “The Connection”. There is a little difference but I generally don’t get down to the freakishly specific settings. I go a lot by ear and how it meshes with the bass. Tobin acts like a second guitar player with his playing style so at times the tones have to be similar and distinct even while we are playing lines that may be similar.

AL: Over time has your live tone and recording tone started to mimic one another or have they stayed pretty separate?
JH: On the last record we used Bogner amps but live I am currently using the Axe Effects unit. I have a similar tone but it’s not exactly a Bogner amp. There are some concessions I am willing to make when it comes to touring and playing live. It’s not only a space issue but there are things like weight and shipping that we have to take in to consideration. The Axe unit comes within I would say between 90-95% of my studio sound. A tone purist would take a look at my whole rig and probably just shake his head in disappointment.

AL: Have there been any talks yet of starting work on a new album?
JH: We have started thinking about it. Ideas have started floating around but we don’t have specific songs finished just yet. I know Jacoby has lyric ideas and we have an idea as to how we want the album to sound. There are a lot of cool things that we are tossing around. I know Tobin has two or three songs in the works and we are really stoked about those. We are still just in the beginning stages. We will probably be in the studio around March.

AL: What other tour plans are in place for the remainder of this year?
JH: We finish the Carnival of Madness tour on September 15th. In October we are starting in the Pacific North West and going through Canada and down the east coast making our way to Florida. In November and December we head over to Europe for some shows and we finish there at the Brixton Academy in London. We have a few shows after that but we have most of the holiday season off.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: carnival, horton, jerry, madness, papa, roachs, ...

Concert Review: The Doobie Brothers “2013 Tour” – Mohegan Sun Arena

The Doobie Brothers: 2013 Tour
Mohegan Sun Arena
Uncasville, CT
July 3, 2013

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

“We decided to play a little rock and roll this evening.  Are you up for that, Connecticut?”

And, with that, the Doobie Brothers delivered as promised: nearly two non-stop hours worth of straightforward rock classics with instantly recognizable riffs that have been the band’s calling card for over 40 years. The focus of the 18-song show consistently stayed on the band’s most prolific era of the 70’s when they churned out anthems such as “Long Train Runnin’”, “Rockin’ Down the Highway”, “China Grove”, “Jesus is Just Alright and “Take Me in Your Arms”, all of which feature the founding vocal/guitar duo of Tommy Johnston and Patrick Simmons – both of whom are still part of the group’s current eight-member line-up.

The mellower Michael McDonald era of the late 70’s and early 80’s was only represented by the inclusion of an extended version of “Takin’ It to the Streets” that featured an impressive keyboard intro from Guy Allison, vocals from Simmons and bassist John Cowan, and a rippin’ sax solo from Marc Russo. It was a wise choice for the set list not only because of the song’s popularity as a hit, but because its inherent funky groove matches the Johnston-era classics that dominate the current touring band’s repertoire. They pull off the tune flawlessly live – so well, in fact, that the concert version almost outshines the McDonald original.

As far as newer material is concerned…well…the Doobies don’t really have much of it. The group has only released one studio album over the past decade: 2010’s reunion with longtime producer Ted Templeman, “World Gone Crazy.” While that album is fairly tepid in comparison to the band’s multi-platinum mega-sellers from the 70’s, the two songs performed from it at this show – the title track and “A Brighter Day” – work quite well when played live and are a good addition to the band’s set list of classics.

With all of the driving guitar rhythm provided by the band’s four axemen and the percussive power of dual drummers Tony Pia and Ed Toth, it’s easy to forget that one of the key ingredients to Doobies music is intricate vocal harmonies that flesh out the songs and provide them with the richness that makes them worth savoring. To that end, the show’s overall sound was impeccably mixed, something that was especially evident when all four of the band’s frontsmen, Johnston, Simmons, Cowan, and endlessly-versatile instrumentalist John McFee, delivered the four-part a cappella harmony outro to “Black Water.” As much as it is truly amazing that these guys can still belt it out as clearly as they did when they recorded the song in 1974, it’s equally impressive that the 2013 tour’s audio crew was able to make every aural nuance sound as clear as possible within the context of a live show.

The music of the Doobie Brothers, when at its best, manages to effectively blend elements of rock and roll, country, bluegrass, soul, funk, and blues to produce songs that never pidgeon-hole themselves into an era and subsequently become dated. At their core is an element that is truly timeless: they’re fun. Given the band’s sheer exuberance while onstage, it’s clear that the Doobie Brothers themselves are still having a blast touring and energetically jamming out to these classics. As they proved to the Connecticut crowd, you don’t necessarily need fireworks to kick off a 4th of July holiday party. All you have to do is listen to the music. All the time.

========

[NOTE: Big thanks go out to the guy who first introduced me to the Doobies – and music in general – my father, Tom Picton, for his invaluable assistance with this article. ]

 

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2013, arena, brothers, concert, Connecticut, doobie, ...

Concert Review “Unity Tour 2013” with 311, Cypress Hill and G.Love & Special Sauce – Kansas City, Missouri

The Unity Tour
311
Cypress Hill
G.Love & Special Sauce
Starlight Theater
Kansas City, Missouri
July 2, 2013

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

I have seen 311 more times than I can count on my fingers (unless I had Bill Cosby’s hands) and as always the only thing I can say after seeing them is AMAZING!!

The 2013 Unity Tour kicked off with G.Love & Special Sauce performing their smooth mix of bluesy, hip hop, and R& B stylings. They played a great set and started the night off perfectly. It was about 80 degrees and sunny and the crowd was in it from the start. Playing “Cold Beverages” had everyone in the audience holding there beers up, resulting in more spilling going on than drinking at that time. G.Love has been a staple in my music collection since college and they did not disappoint in my first time seeing them live.

As more people started filling in the seats I began seeing and smelling many different groups forming. I could only think “what an appropriate welcoming for Cypress Hill.” If you are not familiar with the name Cypress Hill you will be familiar with their largest hit, “Insane in the Brain.” You couldn’t go anywhere in the mid to late 90’s it seemed without hearing that song or
a reference to that song. They lived up to their billing and, after all these years, they still brought a fresh set and energized performance to KC.

As good as the opening performances were I noticed I could hear the sound of people rushing into Starlight as 311 prepared to come on stage. I thought I had seen Starlight packed before.. but not like this! They must have been at capacity by this time of the night and for good reason. 311 has and always will put on one of the best live performances you will ever see! During their annual 3/11 day concerts they’ve been known to play up to 84 song over a two day period. They put together a tight play list for this concert. From the opening “Omaha Stylee” to their encore of “Creatures (For a While),” they had the crowed riled up, jumping yelling, singing. I’d bet the majority of the crowd knew every word to every song… every word.

What separates 311 from other acts I have seen is they know what the fans want to hear. They have consistently put out records since 1993. They still have current singles on the radio but they don’t push all of their new material. Their set list spawns 20 years now and they hit every album, playing not only songs considered their greatest hits but songs that only the most die hard fans would know. There isn’t a new song they are trying out. It is just straight hits: “Down,” “All Mixed Up,” “Amber,” “Don’t Tread on Me,” “Logo,” and “Behind the Gray Sky.” While they can’t play every song (remember they’ve been known to do 80-plus songs at a concert) I never thought ” aw man they didn’t play that song.” I was as pleased with this concert as the others I’d attended.

This group of acts is something you shouldn’t sit on, They are hitting tons of cities and great venues, GO AND GET YOUR TICKETS! They will sell out everywhere and you will hear your friends just rant about the concert. Especially 7/21(West Palm Beach), 7/23,(Tampa) 7/27(Houston) and 8/3 (Chula Vista) when they pickup Penny Wise and Sublime w/Rome on those dates. Extremely jealous that I will not be around those cities on those dates.

You can check out all the tour dates at http://www.311.com/shows

They will have a different set list at all the cities so if you get to see them I would love to see your comments and their set list.

311 Set list:
1. Omaha Stylee
2. Sunset In July
3. Freak Out
4. Misdirected Hostility
5. Beautiful Disaster
6. Wild Nights
7. Random
8. My Stoney Baby
9. Come Original, Loco
10. Time Bomb
11. Applied Science
12. Amber
13. All Mixed Up
14. Wake Your Mind Up
15. Taiyed Hey You
16. Beyond The Gray Sky
17. Freeze Time
18. Visit
19. Down
20. Jackpot
21. Creatures

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2013, 311, city, concert, cypress, glove, ...

311 to Kick Off Unity Tour 2013 in Kansas City

311, Cypress Hill and G Love & Special Sauce will join forces for Unity Tour 2013, which kicks off this Tuesday, July 2, at the Starlight Amphitheatre in Kansas City. This marks the 11th consecutive summer that 311 has headlined amphitheatres with their summer Unity Tour.

This year’s installment of the annual summertime trek hits amphitheaters nationwide through August 4th. Tickets for select shows are now on sale starting April 12. On-sale dates listed at www.311.com/shows.

After years of incessant touring, 311 have developed a reputation as one of the most entertaining live bands in the U.S. Their celebratory live shows and hybrid sound have earned them a massive grassroots following and a catalog of modern rock hits, including “Down”, “All Mixed Up”, “Amber”, “Come Original” “Beautiful Disaster” and “Sunset in July”.

Asked about this summer’s tour, 311 vocalist Nick Hexum commented, “We’re super excited for Unity Tour 2013! We had a blast touring with Cypress Hill in ’96 and with G Love in ’03…and we’re really glad we can all hit the road together this summer. Will make for a killer show. Lots of sick hip-hop beats and summertime grooves. Gonna be fun!”

Cypress Hill have sold over 18 million albums worldwide. With hits such as “Insane in the Brain”, “(Rock) Superstar” and “Hits from the Bong,” the band has been nominated for three Grammy awards and is heralded as one of the best known and most respected groups in all of Hip-Hop.

G Love & Special Sauce bring their alternative-blues-hip-hop sound back to the Unity Tour – after joining 311 for the summer 2003 tour. G Love’s unique sound has led the group to major festival appearances (Bonnaroo, Lolapalooza, etc) – and to collaborations with artists such as Jack Johnson and the Avett Brothers.

UNITY TOUR 2013
311 with CYPRESS HILL and G LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE

JULY
7/2 Tues Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
7/3 Wed Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
7/5 Fri Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
7/7 Sun Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/9 Tues Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/10 Wed Philadelphia, PA Penns Landing
7/12 Fri Mansfield, MA Comcast Center
7/13 Sat Wantagh, NY Jones Beach Amphitheatre
7/14 Sun VA Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live Amphitheatre
7/17 Wed Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/19 Fri Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live Amphitheatre
7/20 Sat Atlanta, GA Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
7/21 Sun West Palm, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre **
7/23 Tues Tampa, FL Ask Gary Amphitheatre **
7/24 Wed Pensacola, FL Civic Center
7/26 Fri Austin, TX ACL Live at Moody Theatre
7/27 Sat Woodlands, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion **
7/29 Mon Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
7/30 Tue Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
AUGUST
8/1 Thurs San Francisco, CA American’s Cup Pavilion
8/2 Fri Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8/3 Sat Chula Vista, CA Sleep Train Amphitheatre **
8/4 Sun Las Vegas, NV The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel

** Sublime with Rome and Pennywise added to lineup.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Music Headlines Tagged With: 2013, 311, city, kansas, kick, tour, ...

CARNIVAL OF MADNESS: First Tour Dates Announced; Unleashes August 13 In Cleveland With Shinedown, Papa Roach, Skillet, In This Moment & We As Human

FIRST TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL CARNIVAL OF MADNESS

UNLEASHES AUGUST 13 IN CLEVELAND, OH WITH SHINEDOWN, PAPA ROACH, SKILLET, IN THIS MOMENT AND WE AS HUMAN

June 3, 2013 – The first batch of dates for the highly anticipated CARNIVAL OF MADNESS tour, powered by Monster Energy, have been announced.

Sure to be known as the premier rock tour of 2013, the CARNIVAL OF MADNESS–sponsored by Monster Energy–returns this summer with multi-Platinum rock band SHINEDOWN, along with PAPA ROACH, SKILLET, IN THIS MOMENT, and WE AS HUMAN. The tour commences in Cleveland, OH on Tuesday, August 13. Go to www.CarnivalofMadness.com for specific on-sale date and ticket information, and see below for the first batch of shows. More will be announced in the coming weeks.

VIP ticket pre-sales for these shows are now available to the “Shinedown Nation,” SHINEDOWN’s exclusive fan club. For more information about VIP pre-sale packages and “Shinedown Nation” membership, please visit the band’s official website, www.shinedown.com.

SHINEDOWN makes their triumphant return to the CARNIVAL OF MADNESS after headlining the 2010 inaugural launch, with a lineup that also included Sevendust, Chevelle, Puddle of Mudd, and 10 Years. The first CARNIVAL OF MADNESS proved to be one of the biggest tours of the summer, heralded as a Top 50 tour by Pollstar. Last year’s trek featured Evanescence, Chevelle, Halestorm, and New Medicine.

CARNIVAL OF MADNESS 2013 TOUR DATES

DATE CITY VENUE

Tue 8/13 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Wed 8/14 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Fri 8/16 Canandaigua, NY Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center
Sat 8/17 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
Sun 8/18 Bloomington, IL US Cellular Coliseum
Tue 8/20 Burgettstown, PA First Niagara Pavilion
Wed 8/21 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
Fri 8/23 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Sun 8/25 Cedar Rapids, IA U.S. Cellular Center
Tue 8/27 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Wed 8/28 Big Flats, NY Tags
Fri 8/30 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Sat 8/31 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live
Sun 9/1 Raleigh, NC The Red Hat Amphitheater
Fri 9/6 Allegan, MI Allegan County Fair
Tue 9/10 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sat 9/14 Sacramento, CA Discovery Park

About Monster Energy:
Most companies spend their money on ad agencies, TV commercials, radio spots, and billboards to tell you how good their products are. At Monster Energy, we chose none of the above. Instead we support the scene, our bands, our athletes and our fans. We back athletes so they can make a career out of their passion. We promote concert tours, so our favorite bands can visit your hometown. We celebrate with our fans and riders by throwing parties and making the coolest events we can think of a reality. www.monsterenergy.com

About In De Goot Entertainment:
In De Goot Entertainment powers CARNIVAL OF MADNESS and boasts an artist roster that defines rock music today! The management company opened its doors in 1993 and has grown into one of the premier rock management companies in the U.S. We represent a wide range of Platinum-selling rock acts and underground fan favorites. The company takes great pride in helping artists succeed in all areas of their career. With decades of music business experience shared amongst the staff, we strive to provide expert guidance and insight for the acts we represent. www.indegoot.com

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Music Headlines Tagged With: 13, announced, august, carnival, cleveland, dates, ...

Steve Lukather talks about Toto’s 30th Anniversary Tour

Steve Lukather is a multi Grammy award winning guitarist and producer best known for his work with Toto. Outside of Toto, Steve has worked with Michael Jackson, been a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band and also released several solo albums with the most recent one “Transition” being released in January of this year. Media Mikes had the chance to talk with Steve recently about his latest release as well as the Toto 30th Anniversary tour.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some background on your most recent solo work titled “Transition”?
Steve Lukather: I have been doing solo albums since 1989. My first solo release was more of a vanity project. I had all of my friends come help me get my sea legs and we had a lot of fun. Each one of these solo albums that I put out has gotten a little more serious. The last three in particular are where I think I found my voice as a solo artist. I really enjoy making over the top records from a production stand point. I am not trying to write the next hit single that will play after Rihanna or Jay-Z. No offense to what those people do as they are great but that’s not my audience. I am making songs that I like and that I think fans of my previous work will like. I love melody with a few twist and turns.

AL: “Transition” is a much darker album than in the past. Was it hard revisiting some of those feelings or places?
SL: It’s a very personal album as I write about what I live. I am the type of guy who writes journals not poetry or something like that. I am trying to write about things that I have lived or seen. I have gone through losing people close to me, drugs, divorce and alcohol. I try and retell those experiences in my own way and learn from those experiences.

AL: You just had signature guitar pickups released from Dimarzio baring the “Transition”
name. Can you tell us about that partnership?
SL: I just fell in love with these pickups. When it was time to come up with a name I figured we could use the album name. It also is like a transition from my old sound to my new sound. Transition is a great world that can mean a lot of different things. I started working with Dimarzio about a year ago and the combination of those pickups and my signature guitar is just great. I have really changed my view on everything from performing live to life in general.

AL: Can you tell us about the upcoming Toto 35th anniversary tour?
SL: I am looking forward to being back with most of my high school friends to help out another friend and former band mate Mike Porcaro who has ALS. That was the reasoning behind the band initially getting back together. We wanted help him and his family by raising money for his medical expenses. We had such a great time doing it that we decided to do something for the bands anniversary. I’m now back with my high school brothers having a blast. I think the band is sound better than ever. Most of the dates right now are overseas but U.S. dates have begun trickling in. Between those I will also be doing some solo shows as well as some shows with Peter Frampton and then heading back out with Ringo Starr.

AL: What do you enjoy most about being back out on the road with Toto?
SL: Our band’s songs are the soundtrack to people’s lives. Being recognized on shows like “Family Guy” and “South Park” has exposed our music to a whole new generation of fans. We are a classic rock band and that’s a title I will gladly accept. I love that. Even some disgruntled hipster rock critic who gets drunk at a party and know all the lyrics to “Africa” (Laughs)

AL: Are there plans to record any of the shows from the reunion tour?
SL: That is something we are trying to get together. We have to find the right venue to shoot in and we also have to get some litigation out of the way with a few ex-managers. We are just about through that and once we are we would be foolish not to document this. There have been a number of tries in the past all of which have had dramatic stops put to them. One film was in a car accident where the film burnt up, and then there was a nasty law suit over another.

AL: Having played with a number of amazing artists is there one that sticks out as a personal favorite?
SL: Playing with Ringo Starr has been a highlight of my career. I am looking forward to doing that again. I am honored to have Ringo as a friend. I have a really cool life. I have started writing a book and just looking back on my career has been amazing. The book is still a ways from being completed however over my 35/36 year career I am just amazed at what I have accomplished. It has been a great run and I am currently booked up till 2015 without even trying. I am truly blessed. “This is a new world and there is no time to sit around with a thumb up your ass” (Laughs)

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: 30th, album, anniversary, latest, lukather, release, ...

Cinderella’s Tom Keifer talks about solo album “The Way Life Goes” and tour plans

Tom Keifer is best known as the charismatic front man for the popular 80’s rock band Cinderella. Tom still performs regularly with Cinderella who celebrated their 25 year anniversary in 2011. Tom’s newest project is a solo effort which has been in the making for quite some time. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Tom recently about working on the album and his upcoming tour plans.

Adam Lawton: What prompted you to decide that now was the time to release a solo album?
Tom Keifer: There never was a set time frame for me to do a solo album. I had first started thinking about doing one in the mid 90’s when Cinderella broke up for a bit. The album has been a work in progress for years. I started writing back then but never really recorded anything. I finally started recording in 2003. I did this independently as I didn’t want to deal with a label. From the time we actually started cutting tracks till now took almost 10 years. That was something I never intended. It is finished now and it’s a good window of opportunity because Cinderella decided to take a break from touring as we have toured hard the last 3 years. The timing worked out really well. Things just sort of happened as I didn’t have a plan 15 years ago that now would be the time to release this. (Laughs)

AL: With the album taking so long did you find yourself going back and making changes to some of the older material?
TK: It was a constant process. Once the songs were selected we would work on those and then go in and record a few more. Then we would go back and rework the older ones. There were quite a few periods of time where I wasn’t working on the record because of touring with Cinderella. Those breaks from the record were really great periods of objectivity. That’s not something you normally get. We made all of the Cinderella records in 6 month time frames where we worked 6 days a week. This album was much different because there was no label behind it. I could push save on Pro Tools and come back to it in a few months.

AL: Do you prefer working on an album like this that is more open ended as opposed to having that push to get it done by a certain time?
TK: I really like how this record came out and I left no stone unturned. I think everything came out real well. However I don’t think anyone is ever 100% happy with a record. There is always stuff you hear that bothers you. It was cool though to have the luxury of time but there are parts for me that I like more than others.

AL: Were the songs that made it on to the album more recent ideas or are they a collection of works from over time?
TK: Everything had been written prior to 2003. I picked about 14/15 tunes and usually from that point on I don’t write anymore for a record. I had a collection of songs dating back to the mid 90’s so there was a large body of work to choose from. I picked 14 that I thought were the best and fit together the best. I always seem to have a song somewhere. (Laughs)

AL: What led you to choose “The Flowering Song” as the album’s first single?
TK: It’s hard to pick singles sometimes because then you start thinking. (Laughs) For the first rock single that one was pretty unanimous between me and my wife who I co-wrote the song with. My friends and management all liked the feel of that track and eventually the label that picked up the album chose that song to be the first rock release. People really liked that track from first listen and we didn’t try to over think things.

AL: What are the tour plans for the release?
TK: We will be back out on the road starting in May. We will be working our way east after we hit the west coast. We are taking things one day at a time and how the record does will really dictate how long we are out for.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: cinderellas, keifer, plans, project, solo, talks, ...

Concert Review: Hatebreed “Divinity of Purpose 2” Tour

“Divinity of Purpose 2 Tour”
Hatebreed, Every Time I Die, Terror, Job For A Cowboy, This Is Hell
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2013
Venue: Water Street Music Hall, Rochester, NY

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

The Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY was the second to last stop on Hatebreed’s “Divinity of Purpose 2 Tour”.  Along with the veteran hardcore band were special guests Every Time I Die, Terror, Job For A Cowboy and This Is Hell. Though the show was at the end the tours second leg each band appeared to be somewhat dedicated to putting on a solid performance.

This Is Hell from Long Island, NY opened up the night with solid performance that was pure NY hardcore. Fans still making their way into the venue quickly moved towards the stage providing the band with ample applause. Job For A Cowboy would take the stage next for a brief set that for me fell flat. The band appeared stiff and offered little to no interaction with the crowd. Victory Records artist Terror would be next and were intense from start to finish. Vocalist Scott Vogel commanded the audience often joining them by jumping the security barrier or by giving them the microphone to sing several notable lines of the band’s songs. Terror’s 30 minute set seemed to be the turning point for the night igniting the crowd’s energy. Nearby Buffalo, NY natives Every Time I Die would take the stage next to chants of “Let’s Go Buffalo” and proceeded to destroy anything that got in their way. Midway through the set guitarist Andy Williams and company launched into a thunderous breakdown of Pantera’s “Domination” which was just spot on. Tour headliner Hatebreed would close out the night performing songs from their vast catalog including “Last Breath”, “Perseverance” and the always popular “This Is Now”. Early on in the set lead singer Jamey Jasta halted the show due to several fights taking place in the middle of the floor. Jasta spoke harshly to the crowd telling them that everything spoken during the night was about “positivity” and respecting one another. No other stops were required and those in attendance seemed pleased with the bands 17 song performance which wrapped up shortly before midnight.

Though most of the sets were brief the night still proved to be a good time.  When the band on stage may have been at a bit of a lull in their sets the audience made up for it. At times I felt the crowd was just as, if not more entertaining to watch than the band on stage. Fans overseas wanting to catch the show will have the chance when the band is in Europe from April 27-August 6.

Hatebreed Set List:

1.)    Put It to the Torch

2.)    Doomsayer

3.)    Tear It Down

4.)    Everyone Bleeds Now

5.)    In Ashes They Shall Reap

6.)    Last Breath

7.)    Indivisible

8.)    Smash Your Enemies

9.)    Empty Promises

10.)  Dead Man Breathing

11.)  Perseverance

12.)  A Call for Blood

13.)  Honor Never Dies

14.)  This Is Now

15.)  Live for This

16.)  Under the Knife

17.)  I Will Be Heard

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2, concert, divinity, hatebreed, purpose, review, ...

Concert Review: Steel Panther “Spreading the Disease” Tour

“Spreading the Disease Tour”
Steel Panther w/ special guest Hillbilly Herald
Date: Friday, April 19th, 2013
Venue: Upstate Concert Hall, Clifton Park, NY

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

The 80’s were alive and well in Clifton Park on April 19th as the spandex clad Steel Panther brought their own brand of hair metal to the intimate Upstate Concert Hall. The band along with special guest Hillbilly Herald are currently on the road for Steel Panthers first full length tour which is being billed as the “Spreading the Disease Tour” (STD). Both bands proved that this is a legitimate tour and even though Steel Panthers on stage antics and subject matter is anything but serious the group’s performance was top notch.

Elkhart, Indiana’s own Hillbilly Herald would kick off the night with an energetic sound that could be described as AC/DC meets ZZ Top. The bands 45 minute set was a mixture of original material and a few notable covers that  included a unique take on the John Denver classic “Country Road”. The band received a large amount of praise from the near capacity crowd and seemed to be a fitting act for the opening slot. After a brief intermission the house lights would come down and the intro from the bands most recent album “Balls Out” blasted over the PA. Guitarist Satchel would take the stage first launching in to the opening of “Super Sonic Sex Machine”. Lead singer Michael Starr worked the crowd like a pro paying especially close attention to several scantily clad women in the front row. As the night moved on the band treated the crowd to songs off both of their albums such as “Asian Hooker” and “Turn Out the Lights”. In between songs the band would take comedic jabs back and forth at each other while propositioning the women in attendance with sexual explicit banter.

It was great to see the band which has been around since 2000 finally take their show outside of their weekly Los Angeles and Las Vegas shows. The band’s look is straight out of 1985 but the performance is fresh and fun. Though it may not be a show you want to take your children to it’s definitely a night full of great music and laughs. Don’t let the bands look fool you as they are all accomplished musicians who despite their wild/funny personas are serious players who like to go out and have fun while entertaining the crowd. If you have a chance to check out the “Spreading the Disease Tour” make sure to get your tickets early, tease up your hair and throw on your favorite pair of spandex as this is a tour you won’t want to miss.

 Steel Panther Set List:

1.)    Super Sonic Sex Machine

2.)    Tomorrow Night

3.)    Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)

4.)    Asian Hooker

5.)    Just Like Tiger Woods

6.)    Turn Out the Lights

7.)    If You Really Really Love Me

8.)    Guitar Solo

9.)    It Won’t Suck Itself

10.)  Girl From Oklahoma

11.)  Community Property

12.)  Eyes of the Panther

13.)  Death to All but Metal

Encore

14.)  Party All Day (Fuck All Night)

15.)  17 Girls in a Row

 

Related Content

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: concert, disease, panther, review, spreading, steel, ...

Andrew W.K. talks about partying hard with his "Human Party Machine Solo Tour"

Andrew W.K. is a musician that found fame with his party rock album “I Get Wet”. Since then he has been rocking and partying hard.  His music really take you to a new place of excitement and gets you out of your chair your fit pumping.  He recently announced his new “Human Party Machine Solo Tour” this year.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Andrew about the intimate tour, his music and what he has planned next.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about your upcoming “Human Party Machine Solo Tour”?
Andrew W.K. : This is going to be a different kind of tour, since it is solo. I did a world tour last year with my band. Nothing is more fun than playing with my full band. I still like doing different kind of shows where there is a more intense intimacy that comes from it with me being on the stage with my keyboard. That is what this tour is about. I have done a lot of solo tours all my career since I feel like when I am up on stage, just me, I feel like it makes me a better performer. I have to draw upon different skills and strength that I have. It is still trying to get to that same place of excitement and energy. Anyway, I have never done a full solo tour around the entire United States.

MG: What are you looking forward to most within the intimate club setting?
AWK: The idea what to pick very small venues almost like bars. So it is really more like a party atmosphere than a concert. It would include places that we wouldn’t normally play and really get that intense and extremely memorable atmosphere and whoever comes to the party. I feel that with these solo shows that the audience, the people that chose to be there, they become my band on nights like this. We are singing together. It is like hanging out with your friends dancing and enjoying music that makes you happy.

MG: How has partying changed for you since you started doing this?
AWK: I try to just get better and better at it. Whenever you meet new people during travels or adventures, life makes you are more powerful person in general. Sort of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Sort of what doesn’t kill you makes you able to party harder. So I just learned from so many people and experiences how to continue to make life as exciting and fun for me.

MG: Whenever I hear any track from “I Get Wet”, specifically “Party Hard”, I can’t help but get pumped and ready to kick some ass.
AWK: The music is a great and powerful way to get to a good feeling. A feeling of energy and strength. You have to give yourself credit to because you allowed yourself to find that feeling. People will listen to our music and say its “too loud”. So I am always thankful for people that find good feeling that I am putting out there.

MG: What is the track for that that drives you crazy?
AWK: Really it would be all of the songs. That is why we recorded and released them. If they didn’t get to that place of energy then we would have done it. This particular style of music is dedicated to getting you amped up and super pumped. If the song doesn’t do that for me or the people working on it, then we probably won’t be recording it in the first place. In a way they are all like one song. This one feeling of excitement. If it works to get that then I know the song is working.

MG: Being a fan of “Gundam”, how did you end up working on your album “Gundam Rock”?
AWK: First of all I appreciate you being aware of that album. “Gundam” is popular around the world but a little more obscure here. It is just great music for starters. The “Gundam” corporation, Sunrise, the company in Japan heard another “Gundam” song I had done and invited me to record this rock album to celebrate the 30th anniversary. It was such a huge privilege and when you have an opportunity like that you don’t even question it. The music is just so good. They are really incredible songs and they definitely made a better musician learning them and playing them for that album.

MG: Having done a few albums specifically for Japan; can you reflect on your worldwide fan base?
AWK: I am very thankful and grateful everyday. I do not think that anyone is more blown away or surprised that any of this has happened but me…or maybe my parents. It is a priveldge and you always want to make the most of an opportunity. I feel so lucky to have them. I just want to keep working harder and partying harder. I also always want to give thanks since there are a lot of other people besides me that are making this happen. Like you Mike, your belief in it, your enjoyment of it and your support over all these years. It is always a group effort to keep it going. It is always very encouraging and humbling at the same time.

MG: On the other side of Andrew W.K.; tell us about your love for “My Little Pony” and being a brony?
AWK: Of absolutely, I am a fan. I have know about “My Little Pony” for years. Since “Friendship is Magic” series came out, it has been a really interesting phenomenon. So many people that I was meeting was telling me about it. Then I got invited to the Canterlot Gardens convention in Ohio, that is what really took it over the top for me. I just like anything where people get really passionate and has that good positive vibe. It is hard to resist that type of feeling.

MG: Also tell us about how you became the official spokesperson for Fresh + Sexy Wipes by Playtex?
AWK: Again, since I moved to New York about 15 years ago, I had this particular mind set, no matter how unusual something seemed or challenging or weird. I had this mindset that I would just say “Yes” to things in my life. I figured my destiny was bringing me in touch with these things and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do it if I wasn’t meant to. You just follow that kind of instinct, so you are in the right place and the right time in order to do something. So the Playtex people came to be and asked me if I would be interesting in promoting this project. I just thought it was so wild and I couldn’t believe they would want me to do it. So of course because of that I said yes. I also like working on team projects where there are a lot of input and everyone working on their highest level because I feel that I a learn a lot. I want to work as hard as I can at all times and do as much as I can because firstly, it entertains me. I have to keep myself interested in what I am doing and I had never done anything like this before. I learned a lot. It is also a great product. Like for someone that doesn’t get a lot of time to shower or bath as much due to traveling, rocking out and partying, this was a product that I could actually relate to. So I am happy that they took a risk with me.

MG: When can we expect a new album from you?
AWK: Yes and thanks very much for asking about that. I have been working on two albums for several years. It is all about getting that 2-3 months of complete open time to focus on it. That has been very hard to get. I have been working on the songs and the lyrics in whatever what I can. I would think that hopefully this coming winter, I will have that block of time to finally finish it. I really want this new album to be the best thing that I have ever made. I have to figure with my destiny, when the time is right it will happen. I don’t want to rush it. We have a really big and exciting year though. We have a lot of touring and doing a lot of new things. So that is all very exciting! So I look forward to seeing you at the shows and stay tuned!

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: andrew, hard, human, machine, party, partying, ...

Ted Nugent talks about "Rock N Roll Express" tour with REO Speedwagon and Styx

The Motor City Mad Man Ted Nugent is prepping to hit the road again as part of “The Midwest Rock ‘N Roll Express”. His notable tracks include “Stranglehold”, “Cat Scratch Fever”, “Wango Tango”, and “Great White Buffalo”. After the tours successful summer run Nugent, Styx and Reo Speedwagon are back together again to bring their legendary sounds to the masses. Media Mikes had a chance to talk with “The Nuge” about the upcoming tour and the possibility of a new Damn Yankee’s album.

Adam Lawton: What was it that first interested you being a part of the “Rock N Roll Express” Tour?
Ted Nugent: When you are fortunate to be blessed with a band of such gifted, passionate, gungho musicians like Mick Brown, Greg Smith & Derek St Holmes, you just know that the musical joy & adventure that is guaranteed every night is what dreams are made of. Magnify this with the accumulated energy, spirit & attitude of the REO & Styx boys, and how could anyone possibly turn it down.

AL: What are you personally most looking forward to about the second run of shows?
TN: What my band delivers every song, every concert, every night is the highest of highs. The raw animal celebration of our audiences creates a powerful force to reckon with, so every concert has a life of its own. Such forces drive me into uncharted territory on the guitar each night that is absolutely compelling and inspiring.

AL: Do you have anything different planned for the set this time out?
TN: We are still performing as many classics as we can squeeze in every night, but we are also reaching back for some deeper and more recent songs like QUEEN OF THE FOREST, CRAVE, TOOTH FANG & CLAW and FRED BEAR that are a riot to perform. Plus we are trying very hard to figure how we can get Mick to drive a golfcart onto the stage each night. That is so much fun.

AL: With all the recent legislation directed towards firearms and such will you be bringing the bow and arrow on stage for this run?
TN: Yes. My assault bow is such an interesting and always controversial topic of discussion and we know it to be a fascinating and always funny stage maneuver.

AL: Are there any new “Uncle Ted” projects in the works? Maybe something with Damn Yankees or a new solo album?
TN: I am creating wonderful fun pieces of music all the time, but the damn calendar is so constricting! You never know.

Read Complete Article
Filed Under: Interviews, Music Interviews Tagged With: express, nugent, reo, rock, roll, speedwagon, ...
« sdf
Previous
Page 14 of 18
Next
Next Page »