Babyjane – Australia’s rawest and explosive hard rock act – have come out of the rusty gate with all guns blazing…
Andy Smith (no singer comes closer to the swagger of Jagger and the presence of Plant than THIS one); John Gerasolo (rock’s next guitar hero — forget the Top Hat); Paul Judge (a snarling Sid Vicious who can really play the bass) and Nik ‘Animal’ Kats (the bombast of John Bonham meets the terror of Tommy Lee) unleashed their debut scorcher Are You Listening in 2011. Mixed by famed American producer Michael Wagener (Metallica/Janet Jackson/Ozzy Osbourne/Extreme) it features 11 tracks of hard rock at its absolute best (including ‘can’t stop singing it’ classic Can You Keep a Secret?)
A rousing support gig with Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach in Perth (2008) left the word on everyone’s lips that ‘Babyjane are the band to watch’. Recently, they have gone from strength to strength – securing airplay on American radio, global release of the album, a week-long prime-time spot on WA’s number one radio station 96FM and over 5000 Youtube views of their video single (Are You Listening).
Now, Babyjane have stepped it up a notch. 11 track second album, Make It Sick, was recorded in Nashville, 2012 with Michael Wagener handling production duties from start to finish – the end result is what one industry-insider has described as “the most balls-to-the-wall rock album since Guns n’ Roses Appetite For Destruction”… with one-time Motley Crue/Union singer John Corabi making a rousing appearance on the title track.
Corabis’ appearance alone reached first-page news on rock website Blabbermouth.com and unprecedented attention on Google.com in June. Featuring a sound only a world-class producer can muster, hugely commercial tracks like Bad Woman and She’s Just A Liar, and a well-oiled 4-piece band behind it, Babyjane are ready to step into the big league.
Road-tested and set for world domination, Babyjane are just gathering steam. Are you listening? You soon will be…
Here’s the video for the new single “She’s a Liar”:
I’ve remained relatively quiet on the whole Randy Blythe/Lamb Of God issue up until now. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this recently. First off, I wasn’t there so everything I read and see is from the other persons point of view, so I can only speak as to how I feel. This whole incident is a great tragedy for everyone involved. I do not think the fan went to the show with the outcome that occurred in mind. Nor do I think Randy took the stage with the intent to cause any one harm. I believe an unfortunate sequence of events led to this tragedy. When Dimebag Darrell was murdered in cold blood on stage it got real for performers. It is unfortunate that now an artist has to fear for his/her life when performing so I can see reacting to someone “invading” your work space (yes the stage is a performers work space). Venues hire security to try and help prevent madness like this from occurring. As fans we need to act responsible as well, I know we are to have a good time, but let’s not ruin it for others by acting a fool. I have witnessed up close fear in the eyes of the performers when a crowd gets to unruly. All in all, an unfortunate sequence of events indeed. Should Randy be punished? In my opinion no, I believe he is punishing himself enough. These are just my thoughts and I do not expect everyone or any one to agree with them.
DETHKLOK, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and DANGEROUS TOYS Members Comment on the Late MELDRUM Guitarist Michelle MeldrumMELDRUM are pleased to announce that their long awaited third album ''LIFER'' is officially out now via REVERSED RECORDS. ''LIFER'' was released as a proud tribute to the late MELDRUM founding guitarist MICHELLE MELDRUM. MICHELLE tirelessly spent her career touring the world and sharing the stage with the likes of MOTORHEAD, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, SEPULTURA, DANZIG and NASHVILLE PUSSY to name a few. During that time MICHELLE left a everlasting impact on the guitar world. To mark the release some of MICHELE's closest friends GENE HOGLAN (Testament, Death, Dark Angel, Dethklok) JOHN DESERVIO (BLS, Cycle of Pain), JAMES LOMENZO (BLS, Megadeth, White Lion) and JASON MCMASTER (Dangerous Toys, Watch Tower, Broken Teeth) have commented on their fallen friend. ''LIFER'' is available now on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lifer/id579206627),CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/meldrum14) and at http://www.reversedrecords.com/estore.
DETHKLOK’s Gene Hoglan states, “It was and still is an honor to know Michelle and it is indeed with great pride that we release "LIFER". I know she's watching over us and smiling along with us at this wonderful day. I know I'm a better person for knowing Michelle, and I know she feels all of our love for her, as we feel hers for us. Through tragedy may we find joy, and through "LIFER" and all her other works, may Michelle find immortality. She'll always be immortal to us. Remember, this is meant to be cranked up.”
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY’s James LoMenzo adds, “Michelle had the amazing ability to conjure almost any guitar style, from her earlier "Steve Vai" styled dexterity to the out and out muscular style that she later carried through with her own band Meldrum. A fine guitarist in the 80's/90's virtuoso tradition and one of the finest people you could ever come to know.”
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY’s John Deservio states, “First off I want to say how much I miss Michelle. She was a beautiful person inside and out and I am blessed to have known her. I miss you and love you Mich, R.I.P. baby.”
DANGEROUS TOYS/WATCHTOWER/BROKEN TEETH’s Jason McMaster adds, “Proud to call her a friend. Michelle Meldrum was and will always be one of my favorite and most inspiring guitarists and real people I've ever known. The world misses her.”
Listen to ''Blackened Blue'' now at: http://soundcloud.com/meldrummusic/02-blackened-blue
Listen to ''A Toast To Romance'' now at: http://soundcloud.com/meldrummusic/a-toast-to-romance
Listen to ''Paid'' now at: http://soundcloud.com/meldrummusic/03-paid
Multinational hard rock/metal band MELDRUM recently announce November 20, 2012 as the release date for their long awaited third album ”LIFER”. Founder and late ex-PHANTOM BLUE guitarist MICHELLE MELDRUM passed away at the age of 39 in May 2008. “LIFER” stands as a proud tribute to MICHELLE and her lifetime commitment to creating and performing music. In honor of their fallen bandmate remaining members drummer GENE HOGLAN (Testament, Death, Dark Angel, Dethklok), guitarist/bassist LAURA CHRISTINE (Warface) and vocalist MICHELE MADDEN (Tourette’s, Saint Cecilia) entered the studio in with Producer/Engineer/Manager ROB SHALLCROSS (Strapping Young Lad, GWAR, Zimmers Hole, West of Hell) to lay tracks for what would become ”LIFER”.
”LIFER” will be released via REVERSED RECORDS and was produced by Producer/Engineer/Manager ROB SHALLCROSS (Strapping Young Lad, GWAR, Zimmers Hole, West of Hell) and Gene Hoglan (Testament, Death, Dark Angel, Dethklok). MELDRUM have released three singles from ”LIFER”, ”A TOAST TO ROMANCE”, BLACKENED BLUE and ”PAID” are all available now via iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/meldrum/id255422158).
Gene Hoglan comments on ”LIFER”, “Let me say this: Never have I obsessed over the recording of any album I’ve been involved in as I have with MELDRUM‘s latest. The tragic circumstances that took Michelle from us also provided us with a raser-sharp focus to record the most amazing album we could. Michele Madden, Laura Christine, and hell, even Rob Shallcross, our engineer, put forth performances of a lifetime, with each member’s full love and respect going into every nuance of every song. Not only to honor Michelle, but to also lay down some bad-ass music, which was ultimately what she stood for what MELDRUM stands for. I think the songs speak for themselves, and I, for one, have never been prouder to be a part of a family, let alone a project such as this. Metal with balls. Crank it up, indeed.”
On this day in 1948 the Rock Gods blessed the earth with John Michael Osbourne. They tested him thoroughly with things that would have surely killed a mere mortal. Yet he withstood all that was thrown at him. Yet, all of these trials had transformed him, remade him, and thus OZZY arose from the man that was John Michael Osbourne. OZZY gathered the musical forces to him and gave to the ears of the world BLACK SABBATH. The power of OZZY quickly grew and he needed to empower other musicians and he left BLACK SABBATH in order to gather young musicians and take them under his “wing”.
As news breaks of Randy Blythe’s indictment on manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic, manager Larry Mazer responds with the following statement:
“After a three month investigation, the prosecutor in the Czech Republic has decided to move forward with an indictment of Randy Blythe on the charge of manslaughter with intent to cause bodily harm. Obviously, we intend to fight vigorously against these charges as we feel that in no way did Randy intend to cause bodily harm on the young fan who subsequently died from injuries sustained at the show. As he has stated previously, Randy intends to go to Prague to defend himself at trial.
While it is a tragedy that a Lamb of God fan died following a performance by the group, in no way do I feel that Randy did anything improper that led to the young man’s injuries and subsequent death. The price of a ticket to a show does not entitle audience members access to a band’s stage. In the years since the murder on stage of Dimebag Darrell Abbott, performers of all genres have had to become more guarded while performing in response to the dangers presented by fans trying to become part of the performance. We believe that Randy responded professionally to the numerous amount of fans rushing the stage that day, a number of them captured on videos that have been posted on the internet. We have testimony from the venue operator that acknowledges lax security and an improper barricade being used that evening. Numerous testimonies from fans also were contradictory as to the actions of the multiple fans that tried to access the stage.
At this point, all that the band, myself, and our lawyers can do is to present a defense and try to convince the panel of judges who will hear the case that Randy is innocent of all charges and that his name and reputation need to be cleared and that he be permitted to carry on with his life and career always mindful that a fan passed away after a Lamb of God performance.
I have a lot of great friends who turn me on to new music. I would like to thank TA for telling me about Gary Clark JR.
Born in Austin Texas, Gary began playing guitar at twelve years old. He was gigging in small venues when he met promoter Clifford Antone owner of the famous Austin club Antone’s. Antone’s was where Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan began making their mar on the music scene. Antone helped Gary get some exposure and get involved with Jimmie Vaughan and others in the Austin music community. They in turn helped Gary further his career. Gary’s music shows how rock n’ roll and the blues have influenced almost every type of music from hip-hop, to country.
Gary has come far for his young age of 28. He performed at the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival with icons such as B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, and ZZ Top.
In February of 2012, Gary played with some Blues legends at the Red, White and Blues event at the White House. This show was broadcast on PBS and featured B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, and Buddy Guy, among others.
Gary has received several accolades in his career as well.
Kirk Watson, the Mayor of Austin, proclaimed May 3rd, 2001 as Gary Clark JR Day. Gary was 17 at the time.
Gary has also won the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist, three times.
Gary was SPIN magazine’s breakout artist for the month of November 2011.
Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Gary’s Bright Lights EP number 40 on its list of top 50 albums in 2011.
Gary was introduced on stage by Metallica’s own Kirk Hammett at the Orion Festival in Atlantic City, NJ.
Gary released The Bright Lights EP on Warner Bros. Records on November 30, 2011.
1. Bright Lights (5:24)
2. Don’t Owe You A Thang (3:35)
3. Things Are Changin’ (Live) [Solo Acoustic] (4:31)
4. When My Train Pulls In (Live) [Solo Acoustic] (8:13)
Gary’s major label debut is Blak and Blu which was released on Warner Bros. Records on October 22. 2012.
1. Ain’t Messin ‘Round
2. When My Train Pulls In
3. Blak and Blu
4. Bright Lights
5. Travis County
6. The Life
7. Glitter Ain’t Gold (Jumpin’ For Nothin’)
8. Numb
9. Please Come Home
10. Things Are Changin’
11. Third Stone From The Sun/If You Love Me Like You Say
12. You Saved Me
13. Next Door Neighbor Blues
14. Breakdown (Deluxe version bonus track)
15. Soul (Deluxe version bonus track)
Gary has made an impact on me as well. Having always been a fan of Blues guitar, I am blown away by his performing, and am glad to see the Blues is still alive and well. Give a listen to “Bright Lights”:
Steve Schwartz– Lead Vocals/Guitar, Matt Sprio-Guitar/Back up vocals, Eric Pihl-Bass, Andy Illiano-Drums, make up this band from Long Island New York. The Things They Carried, or 3TC as they are affectionately called by their hometown fans, is a band on a mission. After recording their first EP “Attention Crisis” in spring of 2009, the band hit the road with a vengeance touring the east coast for just over a year. By summer of 2010 3TC knew it was time to head into the studio again and make a record. “We wanted to create something that all of us were equally excited about. We wanted every song to be as good as the next, no fillers!” singer/songwriter Steve Schwartz explains. The band headed to Shoreline, Washington just outside of Seattle to work with famed producer Casey Bates (Chiodos, Pierce The Veil, Isles and Glaciers, Fall of Troy). With Casey on board the band knew that this record would be exactly everything they wanted and everything that there fans would hopefully want. Good stuff to check out, here’s the video for “364 Anniversary” :
Merlin Sutter – Drums, Chrigel Glanzmann – Vocals, Mandola & Mandolin, Tin & Low Whistles, Bagpipes, Bodhràn, Anna Murphy – Hurdygurdy, Vocals, Flute, Meri Tadic – Fiddle, Vocals, Ivo Henzi – Guitars, Simeon Koch – Guitars, Patrick Kistler – Tin & Low Whistles, Bagpipe, Kay Brem – Bass. I was made aware of this band recently by Stevo Richardson a good friend of mine. Calling themselves The New Wave Of Folk Metal this band does stand out. Old meets new in this amalgamation of folk instruments and modern electric instruments. Eluveitie pulls it off stunningly. They combine great imagery with their well composed music. Definitely worth a listen. check out the video for “Havoc”:
Born Of Osiris is: Ronnie Canizaro – Vocals, Lee McKinney – guitars, Joe Buras – keys, David DaRocha – bass, Cameron Losch – drums.
BORN OF OSIRIS are mature well beyond their years and this dynamic extreme progressive juggernaut has now perfectly honed all of their collective talents to create what will soon be a pinnacle release for the metal genre. The group’s epic and highly acclaimed third full-length effort, The Discovery, was a huge leap forward for extreme progressive music and they have truly found their definitive sound.
The multitude of chugging and percussive riffs on The Discovery shows that the band hasn’t undergone a drastic metamorphosis, but underwent a serious maturation as songwriters. This growth as musicians and writers is carrying over into crafting their much anticipated new album due in 2013, so certainly expect the unexpected as BORN OF OSIRIS always strives to push the envelope of creativity and innovation. BORN OF OSIRIS completed a highly successful run on the Warped Tour this past summer and will wrap-up 2012 with separate co-headlining runs with The Word Alive and Unearth.
This ground-breaking six-piece group creates an epic mix of intricate and memorable melodies with challenging time signatures that still hold an infectious groove, all while maintaining sheer, tasteful brutality. Check out “Follow The Signs”:
Andrew Ross – vocals, mandolin, Angus Clark – guitar, vocals, Aurelien Budynek – guitar, vocals, Chris Altenhoff – bass, vocals, Jason Gianni – drums, vocals. Metal. Hard Rock. Power Metal. Progressive. Categorize them any way you want, this band rocks with a vengeance and won’t quit until they’ve shown the world what a five-man band can do. Armed with some of the finest songs written in this or any genre, the Squadron combines virtuosity with finesse in order to create an emotional impact on the listener unrivaled by their contemporaries. Substantive and relatable lyrics that draw you in and captivate you. Memorable melodies and rhythmic hooks that stick in your head for days. The sound of rock music as it was meant to be played, loud and unadorned. The members of the DDS are all at the top of their game. Andrew Ross is a singer who has the raw intensity of a young Paul Di’Anno with more range and control. Guitarists Angus Clark and Aurelien Budynek play in lockstep with each other, whether it be on rhythm parts or hyper-speed lead lines. With differing yet complimentary solo styles, this is a guitar duo that will stand up against Tipton and Downing, or Li and Totman. Bassist Chris Altenhoff and drummer Jason Gianni hold it all together, keeping the groove even in the oddest of time signatures. Check out “Out Of The Sun”:
Socionic is a project conceived of the fundamental need for artistic expression combined with the adeptness and appreciation for musical composition.
Drawing inspiration from bands such as Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains and The Deftones, the music emerges as a calculated release of passion and power blended with the diversity and detail of a crafted symphony. Achieving an elusive form of polar dichotomy, the sound seamlessly flows from brutal to beautiful, landing its genre bending classification somewhere between alternative, metal, and rock.
Reflective of the diversity and contrast of the world in which we live, the art of the project is deep, dark, and sometimes difficult. here is “Myopia”:
the Hellion Rocks 