February 8, 2013 (Los Angeles, CA) — Vancouver metal mavens, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD has announced a co-headlining North American tour alongside blackened thrashers GOATWHORE. The tour brings 23 days of menacing metal to the masses and will make a memorable stop in Worcester, MA for the infamous New England Metal & Hardcore Festival on April 20th. Making their triumphant return from defending the traditions of heavy metal at sea on the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will continue to support their fifth studio album, LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL on this forthcoming tour. The music video for “Metal Woman” from the current release can be seen below along with the complete list of tour dates.

“Metal Woman” Music Video:

Tour Dates with Goatwhore:

04/11/13 – Kelowna, BC @ Level Night Club

04/12/13 – Calgary, AB @ Gateway

04/13/13 – Edmonton, AB @ Avenue Theatre

04/14/13 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange

04/15/13 – Winnipeg, MB @ The Zoo Cabaret

04/16/13 – Eau Claire, WI @ House of Rock

04/17/13 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s

04/18/13 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups

04/19/13 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

04/20/13 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium – New England Metal & Hardcore Festival

04/21/13 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques

04/22/13 – Quebec, QC @ L’Agitée

04/24/13 – Charlottetown, PE @ Hunters Ale House

04/25/13 – Fredericton, NB @ Lava Vodka Bar

04/26/13 – Moncton, NB @ OC Nightclub

04/27/13 – Halifax, NS @ Michael’s

04/28/13 – Bucksport, ME @ The Kave

04/29/13 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus

04/30/13 – Burlinton, VT @ Nectar’s

05/01/13 – Middletown, NY @ Sounds Asylum

05/02/13 – Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar

05/03/13 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House

05/04/13 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class

For more information on 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/threeinchesofblood

http://www.twitter.com/3iob

LOS ANGELES, CA, February 5, 2013–A catalyst for music innovation in the digital era, CENTERSTAGE Powered By Grammy® Amplifier is the first-ever program uniting emerging artists with GRAMMY-Award®-winners to mentor their career.

Mike Shinoda member of two-time GRAMMY®-winning band Linkin Park and CENTERSTAGE program mentor; Evan Greene (CMO, The Recording Academy); and Jon Budd (Sr. Group Manager, New Media, Hyundai) were on hand today at a press conference in downtown Los Angeles at The Recording Academy’s Social Media Rockstars Summit to announce the online platform designed to provide professional mentoring and exposure for undiscovered musicians discovered through The GRAMMYS’® visionary GRAMMY® Amplifier program. For CENTERSTAGE Powered By GRAMMY® Amplifier, Shinoda will serve as GRAMMY® ambassador and curator.

CENTERSTAGE was developed on the success of GRAMMY® Amplifier which was launched by The Recording Academy® in January. It allows musicians to share their tracks via SoundCloud for a chance to have their music shared on-line by a panel of musical icons. CENTERSTAGE will select three artists based on criteria including “amplification” (shares/likes) and individually award them with a recording session with:

A recording session with a leading GRAMMY® producer.
Production of a music video with a noted producer and/or director.
An opening act performance slot on a major tour or music festival.

The winning artists will be announced at the GRAMMYs® annual SXSW party in March which will take place during SXSW 2013 in Austin, TX. Visit http://www.grammyamplifier.com or http://www.hyundaicenterstag.com for more details and for a chance to enter the program. See official rules at http://www.hyundaicenterstage.com.

As part of a three-year partnership as the “Official Vehicle Partner” of the GRAMMY Awards® Hyundai teamed with The Recording Academy® to create CENTERSTAGE. “Hyundai’s partnership with The Recording Academy ties together music’s biggest brand with Hyundai’s passion for creativity and innovation,” said Steve Shannon, Vice President of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “In continuing our successful relationship, CenterStage and GRAMMY Amplifier allow Hyundai to connect with an audience that loves music and to share great music with fans everywhere.”

Hyundai will also play a starring role at the GRAMMYs® as both the “Official Vehicle Partner” of the GRAMMY Awards® and GRAMMY® Week. As part of GRAMMY Week, Hyundai Equus and Genesis vehicles will grace the red carpet, chauffeur VIPs to the awards ceremony, and be on display at the official GRAMMY Celebration® after-party. The 55thAnnual GRAMMY Awards® will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 10, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround-sound on the CBS Television Network from 8-11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

For more information, please visit:

http://www.grammyamplifier.com
http://www.hyundaicenterstage.com

California blues rockers RIVAL SONS have finished filming a brand new music video in Los Angeles.

The clip for the track “Keep On Swinging” — which is the first single from the band’s highly anticipated new album, “Head Down” — was shot with director Greg Ephraim (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS), who also helmed the band’s videos for “Pressure And Time” and “All Over The Road”.

The “Keep On Swinging” video, which will make its only debut later this month, is set in a Southern-style church community, with the band performing in front of a captivated congregation, while a young woman is marched towards a river to be baptized.

Commented RIVAL SONS guitarist Scott Holiday: “Churches, people feelin’ the spirit, and a handful of snakes! That’s a little taste of the new video — the first from our new record, ‘Head Down’. The song? ‘Keep On Swinging’. Directed by our buddy Greg Ephraim, who did ‘Pressure And Time’ and ‘All Over The Road’, this idea was an easy choice when we read his treatment. A little bit of Southern baptist evangelical churchin’ spirit and a big dose of rock ‘n’ roll. We actually had a bunch of people from the actual parish of the church we played in sitting in during the performance, and I think they were actually feeling the spirit! It was pretty far out… A really fun way to kick off the new album. People fainting in the aisles, Jay as a possessed preacher and, well, you never can go wrong with the serpent making an appearance in a rock ‘n’ roll video.”

Photos from the video shoot can be found at WireImage.com here (see sample above).

RIVAL SONS will release their new album, “Head Down”, in Europe on September 17 via Earache Records. The CD, which will be made available in the U.S. in November, was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with Grammy-nominated producer Dave Cobb (JAMIE JOHNSON, SHOOTER JENNINGS) and Grammy-wining engineer Vance Powell (JACK WHITE, THE WHITE STRIPES, KINGS OF LEON). The artwork was created by Jason Holley (JOSH RITTER, RAY LAMONTAGNE).

Source: blabbermouth.net

Photo credit: Mike Savoia Photography

Really? What a surprise statement!

New singer Todd La Torre (also of vintage class metallers Crimson Glory) posted the following message on his Facebook page:

“I’ve been asked about backing vocal tracks and that many believe they are hearing [original QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff] Tate’s voice on them. Let me clearly state that there are NO backing vocals with his voice in ANY songs with my performance. Any tracks that have accompanied backing vocals have all been re-recorded with my voice and Eddie’s [Jackson, bass]. We don’t use any tracks to fake a lead vocal with me, but to simple give a fuller nicer sound to a chorus as backing vocals, NOT to replace my lead vocal role. Yes, they are very similar and would naturally be heard as Geoff’s, but they are not. All recordings are time-stamped and recorded in the computer and Pro Tools and my point is indisputable. … just needed to clarify that, and I also sing the full chorus live to ‘Empire’ since some have asked me about that.”

La Torre and his new band have launched a new web site at QueensrycheOfficial.com.

In the meantime, via Blabbermouth: STRYPER Frontman Says TODD LA TORRE ‘Has Breathed New Life Into’ QUEENSRŸCHE.

La Torre replies, on Facebook again: “What can I say: I am so honored and thankful for Michael Sweet’s comment.”

Oh brother.

This Geoff Tate vs. Queensryche thing is getting too sordid for anyone’s taste. Really.

Hmnn. ‘Family-friendly’ and Vince Neil are not usually two things that go together but …. sure will be lively.

Here’s the press release:

Mötley Crüe Frontman Vince Neil to Headline Tybee Island Pirate Festival,
Event to Offer Swashbuckling Fun October 4-7

Swashbucklers of all ages will converge on Tybee Island, Georgia, an island paradise located just 20 minutes east of historic Savannah, for the 8th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Festival on October 4-7, 2012.

Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil will be the headliner at a live concert on Saturday, October 6 at 7 p.m. Best known for his work on legendary Mötley Crüe albums like Shout at the Devil and Girls, Girls, Girls, Neil will perform a variety of Mötley Crüe hits at his Tybee Island Pirate Festival performance, much to the delight of attendees. Since the band’s founding in 1981, Mötley Crüe has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide.

The festivities will kick off with the coronation at the King and Queen at the Buccaneer’s Ball at the Crab Shack on Thursday, October 4. Friday evening entertainment will include live music by the Jimmy Buffett tribute band A1A, pirate performers, street performers, magicians, puppeteers, weaponry demonstrations and more. Eric and Susan Scites of Faire Wynds Historical Entertainment will demonstrate fire-eating and perform acts of magic throughout the weekend.

Additional highlights for the 2012 Tybee Island Pirate Festival include The Pirate Victory Parade, Scallywags Costume Contest, Little Matey’s Cove, Thieves Market and the new Pirate Pub with live music.

Every Columbus Day weekend, Tybee Island transforms into a lively pirate village, celebrating the colorful seafaring history that defines the Georgia coast.

“We invite everyone to get in touch with their inner pirate at this popular annual event,” said Lindsay Fruchtl, director of marketing for the Tybee Island Tourism Council. “The Tybee Island Pirate Festival offers world-class entertainment with Vince Neil and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend at one of the liveliest celebrations along the coast.”

The Tybee Island Pirate Fest originally began in 2005, attracting pirate enthusiasts from across the country. All 2012 Pirate Festival events will be held at the South Beach parking lot located at Tybrisa Street on Tybee Island, Georgia.

Organized by the Tybee Island Tourism Council, the Pirate Festival will showcase the best of Tybee Island, from award-winning restaurants to six miles of sandy beaches. Visitors are invited to escape the ordinary, if only for a weekend!

Pirate Festival Weekend Passes are $20 through August 31 and $22 after August 31. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Weekend Passes may be purchased in advance at.

For more information about the 2012 Tybee Island Pirate Festival please call 912.786.5444, or visit www.tybeepiratefest.com.

When Tom recently spoke to the Boston Phoenix about Slayer’s music becoming more mainstream, he said: “Nowadays, people who would never have been into metal can ‘get’ SLAYER, and honestly it’s because of the ‘wow’ factor. I think people have adapted to that, they’ve realized it’s cool. People don’t have to buy into any kind of message; someone can just go ‘Wow, this is really cool,’ and no one’s gonna think ‘Oh, you’re a devil worshipper’ or ‘Oh, you’re a Nazi.’ Now, they’ll just think, ‘Okay, he thinks that this is cool,’ and that’s about it. Music has gone through an evolution; metal has evolved and become part of the scene, and it’s accepted. We’ve become part of the fabric of America.”

This figure of Joe assaulting the the stage in full-on live mode is limited to 1000 numbered units, stands at 7 inches tall, and is made of polyresin.

Joe is accurately sculpted right down to his leaning stage stance, chord-fisting guitar lunge, and signature sneer.

The Queers have just unveiled plans for a vinyl reissue of their classic 1996 album “Don’t Back Down.” The reissue will feature all-new artwork and will be an apparently very limited release, featuring some goodies thrown in by the band and the artist. The official release date is August 17th, but you can pre-order it here. “Don’t Back Down” was originally released in 1996 via now-defunct Lookout Records, and was reissued on CD by Asian Man Records in 2007.

Joe is the sixteenth person to be polyresinated by Aggronautix. In May of 2009, the company launched with a highly popular G.G. Allin “1991″ figure, which was limited to 2000 numbered units.

All Aggronautix figures are now available for purchase on www.aggronautix.com or www.seeofsound.com and will also be available at many independent retailers, comic shops, tattoo parlors, etc via distribution by MVD Entertainment Group – a company specializing in music-related distribution since 1986.

Box Art by Marco Palumbo of No Front Teeth UK:

Illustration by Craig Holloway:

Jamie Teissere, guitarist of defunct metal band Droid, has announced the launch of his new project, SUNFLOWER DEAD. After multiple U.S. tours with bands such as Korn, Evanescence, Five Finger Death Punch and Hell Yeah supporting Droid’s debut on Munky from Korn’s Emotional Syphon Recordings, the guitarist was by no means ready to quit the music game after Droid’s sudden demise.

Wasting no time, he assembled a new outfit consisting of Michael (vocals, piano, accordion), Jaboo (guitar) formerly of Two Hit Creeper, Luis Gascon (bass) touring member of Buckethead, and Jimmy Schultz (drums) touring drummer of In This Moment.

The group dubbed themselves SUNFLOWER DEAD and went into Temple Studios (owned by Raymond Herrera of Fear Factory and B Real of Cyrpress Hill) with Christian Olde Wolbers (Fear Factory) to produce their 11- track self-titled debut record, set to release on August 21, 2012 with Bloody Bat Records LLC. Co-produced and mixed by Jeremy Blair (Guns N’ Roses, DevilDriver) at Temple and House of Blues Studios, and mastered by Robert Hadley (Korn) at The Mastering Lab.

“SUNFLOWER DEAD are a refreshing sound with a great vocal range, not like your average current metal/rock band,” commented producer Christian Olde Wolbers. “This is just the debut, but SUNFLOWER DEAD have tremendous potential to break in a bigger market and they have proved it with this strong debut.”

“This album is fucking dope,” added co-producer Jeremy Blair. “This band came in with the record they wanted to make and it was a pleasure to help them accomplish their goal without any outside negative influences. The songs, the playing, and hooks are sick. I believe this record will be huge.”

SUNFLOWER DEAD plans to release a new music video for the single ‘Make Me Drown’ in the coming months.

For more information on SUNFLOWER DEAD, please visit these websites:

www.sunflowerdead.com

SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL

The festival will kick off with an exclusive VIP event honoring the iconic Sunset Strip band on August 16, which will feature an all-star band celebrating THE DOORS, and will conclude with an all-day street fest on Saturday, August 18. MARILYN MANSON will headline the outdoor street fest, which will also feature performances by THE OFFSPRING, STEVE AOKI, BAD RELIGION, very special guest BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, FAR EAST MOVEMENT, DE LA SOUL, DEAD SARA, DAS RACIST, THE MOWGLI’S and more. Many of the artists will celebrate THE DOORS by performing their take on some of THE DOORS’ legendary songs.The venues within the street festival closure–The Roxy Theatre, Whisky A Go-Go and Key Club–will also host full lineups from more than 50 bands throughout the day.

Look for further lineup announcements to be revealed in the coming weeks. Tickets are on sale today (6/13) via TicketWeb.com/SSMF (various pricing options below). A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit IMPACT DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER in Pasadena, CA., which has been treating individuals struggling with the powerful force of addiction since 1969. Impact is a residential treatment community for men and women from all walks of life and has outpatient clinics, transitional housing and in-custody programs throughout L.A. County. Impact offers programs to everyone from the roadie to the rock star, with their simple and effective no-nonsense approach to substance abuse treatment.  For more information, go to http://www.impacthouse.com.

As in years past, Sunset Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard and transformed into a premier concert destination with two outdoor stages, beer gardens, an artist autograph tent, an outdoor VIP rooftop lounge, silent disco, VIP Lounge at On The Rox, food trucks and interactive experiences.

“We are happy to bring another amazing and diverse lineup to the boulevard as we celebrate the music and legacy of one of The Sunset Strip’s most influential artists, The Doors,” noted SSMF executive director Todd Steadman. “We’re also excited to mark the fifth year of the music festival. SSMF is a homegrown, not-for-profit festival that continues to grow each year. It is shaped by a team of venue owners who partner each year to create a unifying event that celebrates The Sunset Strip and the community of musicians and music fans it has fostered. We look forward to seeing past attendees and welcoming new fans to this year’s event.”

THE DOORS–organist RAY MANZAREK, guitarist ROBBY KRIEGER, drummer JOHN DENSMORE and late singer JIM MORRISON–have earned worldwide notoriety for being one of the most influential rock groups of all time. With an intoxicating, genre-blending sound, provocative and uncompromising songs, and the mesmerizing power of singer Jim Morrison’s poetry and presence, THE DOORS had a transformative impact not only on popular music but on popular culture. The band was formed in Venice, Calif., and remains a vital piece to the legacy and history of The Sunset Strip. It was on The Strip that THE DOORS got their start at the London Fog before moving down the street to perform as the house band at the Whisky A Go-Go. A show at the Whisky in August 1966 helped them land a deal with Elektra Records, which would propel the band into international music icons.

“The Doors are honored to be celebrated by the magical, legendary Strip,” says RAY MANZAREK.  “A great leap forward from the Summer Of Love to today. What a great time we’re going to have! The Sunset Strip. Live bands, loud music, Rock and Roll. It’s the ‘60s all over again, and everyone is welcome. Dancing in the streets. Joy, Love, Peace.  And we want to get it all together just One – More – TIME! Could this be the beginning of the new Golden Age? Let it be so.”  ROBBY KRIEGER says, “It’s a thrill to be honored by The Sunset Strip Music Festival this year. Venice was our home, but The Doors lived and came of age on the Sunset Strip. It’s exciting to see that the legacy we helped create is still alive and thriving today!”  JOHN DENSMORE adds, “The Sunset Strip in the ‘60s was the incubation canal for an entire renaissance in music, and its impact is still with us.  The Doors are proud to be honored this year at the 5th annual SSMF celebration.”

Tickets for SSMF 2012 are on sale beginning today at TicketWeb and are free of additional ticketing fees. Ticket options include general admission August 18 street festival ticket for $75 and VIP options for $135, which includes access to the rooftop VIP area with views of the West stage, VIP areas in the beer garden and venues, access to VIP lounge On The Rox, a separate entrance and additional perks. A very limited number of three-day VIP passes will also be available for $250. These special passes include access to THE DOORS celebration on Thursday, August 16, VIP access to the August 18 street festival and entrance to all of the Sunset Strip Venues on August 16, 17 and 18–House of Blues, The Roxy Theatre, Viper Room, Whisky A Go-Go and Key Club–pending capacity.

Previous SSMF performers have included Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, The Smashing Pumpkins, Slash featuring Fergie, Public Enemy, Common, Bush, LMFAO, Kid Cudi, Neon Trees, Matt & Kim, Cobra Starship and She Wants Revenge, among others.  Highlights from SSMF 2011–which drew a festival record of 15,000 music fans from Southern California and beyond–can be seen here: http://bit.ly/SSMF11vid.

Attendees traveling to SSMF can also enjoy a special offer on Virgin America flights to Los Angeles between August 13 and 21, when they book online at: http://www.virginamerica.com/vx/booking/ssmf.html?cid=PRO_338.

SSMF2012’s proud supporting sponsors include Virgin America, Jack Daniel’s, Gibson Guitar, Bud Light, Monster Energy Drink, Los Angeles Hornburg Range Rover and Land Rover on The Sunset Strip, Glaceau Vitaminwater, Mondrian, 98.7fm, TicketWeb, City of West Hollywood, West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau and Clear Channel Outdoor. Street fest/event production provided by Swing House Hollywood. Festival creative provided by Signature Creative.

For the latest SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL news, visit www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com

No one would have guessed back in 1981 that Lars Ulrich, a dorky metalhead from Denmark who formed a small band named Metallica, would one day play a significant character in a major cable network movie. In HBO’s biopic Hemingway & Gellhorn, Ulrich gets the opportunity to play Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens.

It’s no coincidence that girlfriend, Danish beauty/actress Connie Nielsen, had been cast in the movie. She probably got Lars the gig. Nonetheless, the drummer does a pretty good job. At first he doesn’t say much and walks aimlessly through the camera shots. But when the camera does center on Lars, he really does an admirable job.

The movie itself is absolutely horrible — stylistically schizophrenic,  a cartoonish approach to an era of Ernest Hemingway’s life. Nicole Kidman plays Martha Gellhorn opposite Clive Owen’s Hemingway. Not their best work. It’s not their fault that the script turns them into nothing more than caricatures. The truth is, with its sweeping, campy vision centered around the Spanish Civil War, it would have made more sense to turn this work into a Broadway musical, or a Baz Luhrmann film.

Practically the entire cast comes out as a casualty. Ironically, it’s the non-thespian, Lars Ulrich, that comes out okay. Not bad for a kid who survived his first cross-country, Metallica club tour on the likes of nasty bologna sandwiches and substandard beer.