I was doing my best to stay out of the “Grammy bashing” posts, but alas, I find myself jumping in. If we as music lovers and consumers are unhappy with the situation we need to speak up. If everyone who has made a statement would take the time to make their thoughts known to the right people we might make a difference. By flooding the radio stations with emails, phone calls we might make a difference. By writing and emailing the Grammys and telling them your thoughts we might make a difference. Lastly, by PURCHASING the music you love and telling others about it, and going to shows and supporting the music you love we WILL make a difference. – the Hellion
Matt DiRito called me up and we were able to have a discussion about the Star Treatments organization. We were able to talk about how it all came together and what you can do to help this great cause. Thanks for listening. Here’s the link:
Thank you Matt, you are an honorable man. Here are the page links:
Announcing “Immortal RANDY RHOADS – The Ultimate Tribute”
A Celebratory Album Feat. All-Star Guests SERJ TANKIAN, TOM MORELLO and More
Out March 3, 2015 via UDR Music
The Late Legendary Guitar Hero Memorialized in Sensational Cover Tracks
Featuring an All-Star Line-Up of Music Greats:
TOM MORELLO
SERJ TANKIAN
RUDY SARZO
FRANKIE BANALI
VINNY APPICE
TIM “RIPPER” OWENS
CHUCK BILLY
ALEXI LAIHO
GEORGE LYNCH
GUS G.
BRUCE KULICK
DOUG ALDRICH
DWEEZIL ZAPPA
BERNIE TORME
JON DONAIS
BRAD GILLIS
… and More
Album Includes Bonus DVD w/ Artist and Producer Interviews and More
One of the most venerated guitarists ever to grace hard rock music, the late, great Randy Rhoads (heralded as the legendary lead guitarist forOzzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot) will be celebrated in the truest of fashions with the release of Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tributeon March 3, 2015 via UDR Music.
A collection of 11 classic Rhoads co-written songs, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute is performed by twenty top contemporary artists, including old friends and performing partners Rudy Sarzo and Frankie Banali, his brother Kelle Rhoads and more designated musicians like Serj Tankian, Tom Morello, Vinny Appice, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Chuck Billy, Alexi Laiho, George Lynch, Gus G., Bruce Kulick, Doug Aldrich, Dweezil Zappa and others.
The album was produced and compiled by the Grammy-award winning guitarist and producer Bob Kulick at his own studio.
Along with the album, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will also contain a bonus DVD available in the digipack version, including interesting interviews with some of the involved artists, hosted by Bob Kulick and a feature on the Musonia School of Music, a teaching school on North Hollywood, California, set up by Randy’s mother and run by his brother Kelle Rhoads.
Pre-order details coming soon! Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will also be available in double vinyl gatefold and digital formats.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
A lover of classical music, Rhoads had taken initial steps into rock’n’roll as a 16 year old when he formed a band, that soon became Quiet Riot. Rhoads was vaulted to the limelight in 1979 when Ozzy Osbourne chose the relatively unknown guitarist to help shape a new future for him via his band, Blizzard of Oz. The result saw Rhoads co-script two of the most famous albums in hard rock history, Blizzard Of Oz and Diary of A Madman, and rapidly ascended the stairway of fame and recognition for his virtuoso playing and writing. Famed for the way he fused classical flavors with technically-excellent hard rock, Rhoads became one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock.
When he tragically passed away on March 19, 1982 in a plane accident, Rhoads was only 25 years old, but thankfully, the legend of his work, ethos and their continuing influence on a whole new generation of guitarists, has never dimmed.
Celebrate the life and legend of Randy Rhoads with Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute.
Guitar Maestro ULI JON ROTH to Release “Scorpions Revisited”
A Double-Disc Collection of Re-Imagined SCORPIONS Classics
Out March 10, 2015 (US) via UDR Music
…Feast your ears, heart and emotions on ULI JON ROTH’s unique return to his most famous musical legacy…
US Tour Dates Below – Jan/Feb 2015
UDR, The Home Of Legends, is set to release guitar legend ULI JON ROTH’s brand new double album of 19 re-invented Scorpions tracks, entitled Scorpions Revisited, on March 10, 2015. Pre-orders for the album will be available soon.
For over four decades, ULI JON ROTH has forged new frontiers in the world of guitar, both in terms of approach and style. He even managed to invent the sky-guitar, a six octave lead instrument that remains unparalleled. But before he started to explore the creative worlds of music, philosophy and art, ULI JON ROTH was a member of European rock giants, the Scorpions, a band with which he helped create a new path in hard rock music. In 2013, venerated for his originality and dynamism at the time, Roth found himself intrigued by the memory of those early days which began 40 years ago, and specifically by the music he helped write, perform and occasionally sing on the albums Fly To The Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer and Taken By Force. It lead to Roth deciding to spend a year re-visiting, exploring, performing and re-recording his favorite Scorpions songs.
The first results of this magical, mystical journey into his own past can be heard on ULI JON ROTH’s Scorpions Revisited,a double-disc CD recorded in Hanover, Germany which sees the maestro re-harness all the collective power and poise of those original Scorpions classics, and re-imagine them as he feels today. No one in their right mind would dare call these mere re-recordings, as it’s clear that ULI JON ROTH reinvents these songs from the soul up.
Track listing – CD1:
1. The Sails Of Charon
2. Longing For Fire
3. Crying Days
4. Virgin Killer
5. In Trance
6. Sun In My Hand
7. Yellow Raven
8. Polar Nights
9. Dark Lady
Track listing – CD2:
1. Catch Your Train
2. Evening Wind
3. All Night Long
4. We’ll Burn In The Sky
5. Pictured Life
6. Hell Cat
7. Life’s Like A River
8. Drifting Sun
9. Rainbow Dream Prelude
10. Fly To The Rainbow
“The material for this double CD was recorded last year in the same hall in Hanover that we used for the Scorpions rehearsals 1973-1978,”explains Roth. “Together with an amazing bunch of very talented young musicians, I revisited my personal favourites from the early Scorpionsperiod, some of which were written in that same hall. It was an emotional few days and I am very pleased with the results in more ways than one. The idea was to stay truthful to the original spirit of the music, while also putting a new slant on it whenever it felt like the right thing to do. I feel we really succeeded in this and I’m very excited about this project. It was a intense journey into the past and I think we really managed to bring the songs back to life with a vengeance.”
The band which performed with Roth for these historic shows was Nathan James (vocals), Jamie Little (drums), Ule W. Ritgen (bass), Niklas Turmann (guitar, vocals), Corvin Bahn (keyboards, vocals) and David Klosinski (guitar).
As noted, this is the first fruit from a re-engagement with his history that left ULI JON ROTH enjoying a surge of fresh creativity and approach to this classic material. Expect a further announcement for 2015. But for now, feast your ears, heart and emotions on ULI JON ROTH’s unique return to his most famous musical legacy.
2015 ULI JON ROTH US Tour Dates:
JANUARY
21.01.2015 – California – Ramona – Mainstage
22.01.2015 – California – Anaheim – House of Blues
23.01.2015 – California – Hollywood – House of Blues
24.01.2015 – Nevada – Las Vegas – Vamp’d
25.01.2015 – California – San Josè – Rock Star Bar
26.01.2015 – Oregon – Portland – Tonic
27.01.2015 – Washington – Seattle – Studio 7
29.01.2015 – Minnesota – Moorehead – The Garage
30.01.2015 – Minnesota – Spring Lake Park – POVS
31.01.2015 – Illinois – St. Charles – Arcada Theatre
FEBRUARY
01.02.2015 – Illinois – Chicago – Reggie’s (& Sky Academy)
02.02.2015 – Michigan – Detroit – Token Lounge
03.02.2015 – Toronto – Mod Club
04.02.2015 – Ohio – Cleveland – Agora Ballroom
05.02.2015 – Connecticut – Hartford – Infinity Hall
06.02.2015 – New Hampshire – Londonderry – Tupelo Music Hall
07.02.2015 – New York – Poughkeepsie – The Chance
08.02.2015 – New York – Manhattan – BB King’s
09.02.2015 – Virginia – Springfield – The Empire
2015 ULI JON ROTH International Tour Dates:
19.02.2015 – Japan – Nagoya – Bottom Line
20.02.2015 – Japan – Tokyo – Nakano Sun Plaza Hall
22.02.2015 – Japan Osaka – Quattro
11.04.2015 – Full Metal Cruise II –
to Mediterranian Sea –
16.04.2015 Plama de Mallorca/Barcelona/Ibiza
24.04.2015 – Germany – Lauda-Königshofen – Keep it True Festival
22.05.2015 – Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
23.05.2015 – Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
22.08.2015 – Germany – Balve – Balver Höhle
27.08.2015 – Full Metal Cruise III –
to North Sea –
31.08.2015 Kiel/Copenhaven/Gothenburg/Hamburg
I’ve been feeling a little “groovy” lately and wanted to share a few stoner/heavy psych fuzz rock/sludge/doom bands I’ve been checking out. So “indulge” yourself and get your groove on with these four bands you might not have heard of.
Founded in 2006, Face on Mars combines heavy rock with elements of psychedelic rock, desert rock, doom, and southern sludge. Hailing from the birthplace of rock n’ roll, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the band remains as the area’s active force in keeping heavy rock and roll alive. At first, the band gathered most of its influences from the fuzzy grooves of Kyuss, the oddball heaviness of the Melvins, and the brutal onslaught of Electric Wizard and High On Fire. By the summer of 2008, a passion for 1970s rock emerged. Guitarist/Vocalist Drew Kern began to inject the soulful wailing of Mountain and Grand Funk Railroad, while the music was laced with traces of Pentagram and Deep Purple.
During the summer of 2011, “Jump the Gun” was released on a 7″ split record with Mississippi punk legends, Before I Hang. The song was also featured onStonerRock.com‘s Compilation Vol. 9. Maximum Rock N Roll Issue #347 labeled it “a mindbender…tweaked out stoner metal.” For the past 8 years, Face on Mars has remained active and played shows alongside many touring artists such as Before I Hang, Stellatone, Emerald Heavy, The Stovebolts, Cooze Hound, Royal Thunder, Slo Poke, Mothership, Bass Drum of Death, Cough, Dark Castle, Dax Riggs, The Unnaturals, Dummy Dumpster, Smoke & Feathers, Haarp, Vorpal Hand, That Yellow Bastard and many more.
In 2014, the long awaited, self-titled debut album was produced and self-released by Face on Mars. Engineered and mixed by Mark Black and mastered by Chris Goosman (Greenleaf, Mos Generator, Dixie Witch), the album showcases the band’s diverse range of styles in the hard rock realm. The album is highly influenced by 70s rock (Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd) as well as the modern take on heavy fuzzy rock (Fu Manchu, Queens of the Stone Age, Truckfighters).
Snow White is a band, proud to be out of Longview Washington. We are experienced professionals and are available for all of your parties and puke fests.
RoadkillSoda is the reflection of the 70s American hawk, of the dusty Dodge, ragged T-shirts, tattoos, beards, booze, naked chicks and good vibes.
The group started off as a jam session between Mihnea’s guitar and Para’s drums in the winter of 2010-2011, in a cold, dimly-lit room filled with smoke and music blasting through the walls.
And so, the stoner, sludge, psychedelic and rock’n’roll sounds fusion would become RoadkillSoda, a fresh, intense and unconventional project. Vava, Mihnea’s brother form the same mother, promptly took the, often underestimated, role of the bass player, adding a dirty bass sound that does not go unnoticed.
As spontaneous as the entire project, the debut EP “A Fucked Up Trip Gone Bad” pops up, basically live recording from the rehearsal room and was released in 2011, via Asiluum label.
In 2012, Sebi joins Mihnea, Para and Vava in their journey. The band consequently assumes, without compromises, its ideal form and color – a metamorphosis fuelled by the sound, atmosphere and by the people on stage and in front of it.
In less than a year, the band wrote, recorded and produced the first official album. “Oven Sun” embodies the experiences of a man who wakes up in the middle of nowhere, bound to wonder and to take in both the good and the bad. From mirages and oasis to the burning sun and the endless desert, the album envisages RoadkillSoda’s metaphor of life. The “happy-end” is depicted through sorrow, despair and bleak scenarios carried out with a mask displaying a caddish grin, an attitude that fittingly sums up “Oven Sun” by one line – “F**k’em with a smile”.
Thunders of Wrath is an **unsigned** American rock band with a 11-song debut vinyl in post-production.
Described as “old school rules with a new-fangled yet reverent rock swagger”. Others have said “refreshingly classic”. To put it simply, we make rock, it’s who we are what we love and what we do.
School chums Mason Flippin and Cooper Farris form the rhythm core, meeting in junior high and growing up together as musicians. Guitarist Joe Papen joins in January 2012. Tom Vekakis joins on vocals in August 2012. Jake Fouts joins on keyboards in July 2014.
Ages 21-24, all born and raised in the Tacoma/Puyallup area, currently recording original music and playing shows to audiences along the west coast.
We strive for a sound that is timeless, yet always in the moment… all-killer, no-filler. ROCK GROOVES.
Released first EP – The Grand Alliance in August, 2013, available digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and other digital services, and in our favorite indie record stores all across the pacific NW.
Music Video for “Lighting the Lantern”, Nov 2013 on YouTube (SD), Vimeo (HD) and Facebook.
Played 54 shows in 2014.
Self-produced holiday special December 2014 previews the videos and mini-sodes in production for 2015 album release.
Full length album recorded 2014, currently in post, to be released around March 2015.
There you have it! Some new bands for ya earholes. Help a band get heard!
Here’s something I’ve been wondering about. Are there any songs out there that you just can’t listen to anymore? I mean songs that you once couldn’t get enough of but now cringe and change them when they come on . There are a couple of great songs that I am completely burnt out on and I’m sure I’ll catch hell from some people about them and here they are: “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, and “Dream On” by Aerosmith. I know, I know, they are iconic songs by iconic bands but listening to them makes me nuts. It could be that I was over exposed to them when they were on regular rotation on FM radio. Let me reiterate, these are great songs but are worn out to me. What are your thoughts, and songs that just don’t do it for you anymore?
Some musicians become prophets and there are very poignant messages in their words. I often times find myself “conversing” with them.
Given the state of the world lately I found myself wondering what John would have to say. I thought of how John might view the world and was first reminded of my favorite photo of John which was taken by one of my photographic idols, Bob Gruen. To me it shows the playful, whimsical side of John and at the same time I feel it shows that John looked at the world in many different ways.
I suffer from an overactive mind that leaves me fighting hard to try to sleep. On one of those evenings I found myself thinking of John and heard “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night” in my head. The answer was music and my love of it, that was usually what got me through the nights. I continued to think about what John would think of how people were constantly thinking only of themselves with little regard to others and bam, “Instant Karma” was there.
Even when nothing was seeming to go right one day I heard “Nobody Told Me” and I had to stop and smile at it. Yes John was talking to me beyond the grave. I could keep going on and on with examples that had relevance to situations, “Mind Games”, “Imagine”, “Woman”, there’s so many if you open your mind and ears.
What kind of man could have written these songs that remain so pertinent? Someone who wrote from the heart and not for monetary gain. When someone writes from within and with feeling magic happens.
I am lucky to be a part of several musicians who are going back to roots and making musical magic again, and I thank them.
One of his songs that means the world to me is “Love”. The world needs more of it, I revel in it with my wife and family, and I share it with all of you.
John you have been a good friend to me for so many years and I miss the light you shared with the world. I’ll talk to you soon.
UFO Reveal Track Listing to new Album A Conspiracy of Stars
Available March 3rd in North America on Steamhammer/SPV
Of course you don’t need to attach more importance to this piece of news than it necessarily has, but it certainly deserves to be mentioned: for the first time in more than 20 years, one of the most British rock bands in music history has recorded a studio album in their native country. Their latest offering is entitled AConspiracy Of Stars, was cut by rock legend UFO and breathes that typically British easy-going confidence for which this band has been known for over 45 years. A strong release consisting of eleven songs which combine everything that the group surrounding frontman Phil Mogg stands for: meaty riffs, distinctive hooks, diverse songwriting, intelligent lyrics and that generally laid-back attitude which we have associated with UFO from the start. The fact that A Conspiracy Of Stars was produced and mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, among others) may be considered another successful element in a thoroughly consistent release. To cut a long story short: their 22nd studio recording to date sees UFO prove that past and present can be blended in a homogeneous whole.
A Conspiracy Of Starspresents UFO’s current line-up for the first time: along with the original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (keyboards, guitar) and Andy Parker (drums), lead guitarist Vinnie Moore has been a permanent member of the group since 2003, American bassist Rob De Luca joining the fold in 2012. De Luca is not only a brilliant instrumentalist but has also contributed two of the album tracks as a songwriter. The majority of the new material was composed by Vinnie Moore, the album also featuring a song by Paul Raymond and a collaboration between Raymond and De Luca. The lyrics were penned by frontman Phil Mogg.
Track Listing Digipak:
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
04. Sugar Cane
05. Devils In The Detail
06. Precious Cargo
07. The Real Deal
08. One And Only
09. Messiah Of Love
10. Rolling Rolling
11. King Of The Hill (Bonus Track)
Track Listing Jewel Case:
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
04. Sugar Cane
05. Devils In The Detail
06. Precious Cargo
07. The Real Deal
08. One And Only
09. Messiah Of Love
10. Rolling Rolling
Track Listing LP:
Side 1
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
Side 2
01. Sugar Cane
02. Devils In The Detail
03. Precious Cargo
Side 3
01. The Real Deal
02. One And Only
03. Messiah Of Love
Side 4
01. Rolling Rolling
02. King Of The Hill (Bonus Track)
23 February 2015 will see the European release (Scandinavia: 18 February 2015 / Germany: 20 February 2015 / US: 3 March 2015) as Digipak (including poster and bonus track), jewel case, vinyl colored double LP and download.
TOUR DATES 2015
FEBRUARY
Fri 20 Germany, Barby – Rautenkranz
Sat 21 Germany, Berlin – K17
Sun 22 Germany, Hagen/Osnabrück – Saal Stock
Mon 23 Germany, Hamburg – Downtown Blues Club
Wed 25 Germany, Mannheim – Alte Seilerei
Thu 26 Germany, Bochum – Zeche
Fri 27 Germany, Siegburg – Kubana
Sat 28 Germany, Affalter – Zur Linde
MARCH
Mon 02 Germany, Rostock – Mau Club
Wed 04 Poland, Warsaw – Stodola
Thu 05 Lithuania, Vilnius – Forum Palace
Fri 06 Poland, Krakow – Kwadrat
Sat 07 Czech Rep., Zlin – Masters of Rock Café
Mon 09 Germany, Burgrieden/Ulm – Riffelhof
Tue 10 Germany, Osterode – Dorster Festhalle
Wed 11 Germany, Freiburg – Jazzhaus
Thu 12 Switzerland, Zug – Choller Halle
APRIL
Thu 16 England, Norwich – Waterfront
Fri 17 England, Cambridge – Junction
Sat 18 England, Wolverhampton – Wulfrun Hall
Sun 19 England, Manchester – Ritz
Tue 21 Ireland, Dublin – The Academy
Wed 22 N. Ireland, Belfast – The Limelight
Fri 24 England, Glasgow – O2 ABC
Sat 25 England, Newcastle – O2 Academy
Sun 26 England, Leeds – O2 Academy
Tue 28 England, Nottingham – Rock City
Thu 30 England, Bristol – O2 Academy
MAY
Fri 01 England, Falmouth – Pavilion
Sat 02 England, Exeter – Phoenix
Sun 03 England, Salisbury – City Hall
Tue 05 England, Brighton – Concorde 2
Wed 06 England, Oxford – O2 Academy
Thu 07 England, London – HMV Forum
Photo from left to right:
Rob De Luca (bass), Phil Mogg (vocals), Andy Parker (drums), Vinnie Moore (guitar), Paul Raymond (keyboards, guitar)
VENOM Reveal Stunning From The Very Depths Cover Art!
Album Out January 27 Via Spinefarm Records
VENOM announced the January 27 release of From The Very Depths(Spinefarm Records) last week, news that was met with elation among the metal community, from tastemakers to fans. The metal icons, who are pretty much responsible for authoring their own genre, have followed up the album release news by sharing the two-horns-up album artwork.
The cover is visually arresting, featuring skeletal beings bathed in red and orange tones. The image is dominated by the instantly recognizable VENOMlogo, and is a natural successor to the artwork for previous album, 2011’sFallen Angels, also released via Spinefarm.
And to think this is merely the cover! The album’s accompanying music slays,and early praise indicates that this could be one VENOM‘s best releases…ever. Even the album title is 100 per cent ‘Venomous’, referencing the band’s infamous live intro tape.
Screw the holiday season. January 27 can’t get here fast enough!
the Hellion Rocks 