Author Archives : Dana

DEAD DAISIES SINGER JOHN CORABI DISCUSSES THE BAND’S NEW ALBUM AND THE DEPARTURE OF DRUMMER BRIAN TICHY

Ruben Mosqueda of Sleaze Roxx spoke with Dead Daisies frontman John Corabi. Highlights from the interview appear below.

Sleaze Roxx: When Brian Tichy broke the news that he was leaving The Dead Daisies, I was really curious as to who you’d get in the band to fill his shoes. He’s a great drummer but he’s also a show man. Burn It Down marks the debut of Deen Castronovo on drums. How did he land on your radar? Was it his work with Doug [Aldrich in the] Revolution Saints?

John Corabi: Well, Marco has worked with him before and they’re both friends with Neil Schon. As you said, Doug has worked with him before. David and I hadn’t met him before but the other guys were convinced he was the guy so we flew him out. At the end of the day, I’m the singer and the whole world revolves around me [laughs]! I’m just kidding [laughs]! Deen hung out with us for about 4-5 days and he immediately had input with the songs. I know Deen has been through a dark period but he’s just a positive guy. He’s so grateful for everything. He’s a fun, sweet guy. He explained what went down with him and his sobriety. We felt that he was ready to go. I f–king love the guy. We talk like once or twice a week.

I wish Brian the best. He’s a fantastic drummer, I hope I get to work with him again sometime. They’re entirely different drummers. Deen is just as much of a beast on drums as Brian. Deen came in and f–king destroyed these songs. Deen sings too. He’s going to definitely be The Daisies’ secret weapon with him on background vocals.

Sleaze Roxx: One of the things that I take away from Burn It Down is that the band has gotten heavier — still melodic hard rock but definitely heavier.

John Corabi: We didn’t do that by design. That’s just how the songs started formulating. Marti [Frederiksen], our producer, is really good at finding a thread between all the songs. He says “that’s your f–king record right there with those 9-10 songs.” There were no shortage of ideas either. We could easily have another record with songs that didn’t make Burn It Down. We’re like a f–king ‘think tank.’ One guy says something and it sparks everyone else. It’s pretty awesome.

Sleaze Roxx: What’s the tentative plan to support Burn It Down in terms of touring in North America?

John Corabi: Well, management is looking at sometime around mid to late summer of 2018. We’ll hopefully be supporting in larger venues for 5-6 weeks. That’s the best answer I can give you right now.

Read more at Sleaze Roxx.

source: sleazeroxx.com

JUDAS PRIEST’S RICHIE FAULKNER DISCUSSES THE BAND’S NEW ALBUM, GUITARISTS GLENN TIPTON AND K.K. DOWNING, ALONG WITH THE BAND’S ROCK HALL SNUB

Greg Prato of the Long Island Pulse spoke with Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, excerpts from the interview appear below.

Long Island Pulse: Firepower is your second studio album with Priest. How is it similar or different to Redeemer of Souls?

Richie Faulkner: From the side of creating the songs, it was the same kind of vibe. We’d go our separate ways, and then we’d put down ideas in our spare time at home. Then me, Rob and Glenn would get together to put those ideas together and embellish them…It was an extension also of the relationships built over the last seven years, creatively and personally. The trust grows, the respect grows and it frees you up creatively.

What was different was that we set out to say, “What can we do differently this time around? How can we make a better record? How can we write better songs?” We got two producers in—Tom Allom and Andy Sneap—and they wanted us to play live. They wanted us to rehearse these songs that we had, refine the songs and get that live energy going that you can only get by playing in a room together. Through that, you get the spontaneity, the natural push and pull of the music. And you capture that energy in the recording, which was fundamental in getting that ferocity and vibe that comes through on Firepower.

Long Island Pulse: The announcement of Glenn’s health came as a surprise.

Richie Faulkner: Glenn has been fighting it for years and we have all been aware. Glenn is a very private guy and he kept it to himself; he didn’t go public with it. But it got to the point where we were in rehearsals, and in true Glenn Tipton fashion, he’s fighting to the last minute. He’s pushing, he’s trying because he wants to give a 1000 percent to the fans. And in the end, he just had to hold his hands up and say that he wasn’t able to tour. But Glenn is by no means leaving Judas Priest. He is still in Priest, he is still involved in Priest and he is still going to be involved in creative decisions and creating new music. And he will be coming out as and when he is able to do various appearances with us. That will be great.

Long Island Pulse: Has there been any discussion if the band can continue beyond this album and tour without Glenn performing with the band?

Richie Faulkner: There has been no discussion yet. I think the focus is dealing with the challenges that we’ve got at the moment, and getting out on the road with the Firepower record. And doing what we do best: playing live for our fans around the world. Anything beyond that is a discussion that still needs to take place. The focus is very much on now, the tour and the record.

Long Island Pulse: Was there any discussion of possibly K.K. Downing [a Priest member from 1969-2011] joining the band again?

Richie Faulkner: As far as I’m aware, he left the band. He didn’t want to be a part of the band, and as far as I’m aware, I don’t know if the band thought that he’d want to come back. He gave his priorities to other things and that’s fair enough. Glenn wanted Andy to step in and cover his live stuff and that’s what we’re doing. The great thing about Andy is he doesn’t want to be seen as “the new guy in Judas Priest.” He’s there covering Glenn. I think that’s a noble attitude for someone to have and I think that’s when you know you’ve got the right guy to fill in.

Long Island Pulse: Recently, Priest was one of the nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but missed getting in.

Richie Faulkner: I’ve got split views on this. First of all, I am not eligible to be included in the Hall of Fame; you have to have a 25-year history [Richie joined in 2011]. To be putting out music like this—after 50 years—to a fanbase that is so loyal is affirmation enough. I don’t think a band like Priest needs any award or any ceremony. The proof is in the pudding; the proof is in the fans; the proof is in the music; and the proof is in the band forging forward after 50 years. That is the only accolade anyone can ever wish for.

Read more at the Long Island Pulse.

source: lipulse.com

GRAMMY NOMINEES AVENGED SEVENFOLD ANNOUNCE “END OF THE WORLD TOUR” WITH PROPHETS OF RAGE

Grammy nominees Avenged Sevenfold have announced the End of the World Tour, a North American headlining run produced by Live Nation that begins July 22nd at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA, and features Prophets of Rage plus Three Days Grace. See itinerary below and additional info at avengedsevenfold.com.

This portion of the tour sees Avenged Sevenfold once again partnering with CID Entertainment to offer concertgoers a unique VIP experience. Those special packages, Hail To The King, A7X Experiences and Higher Seamless Experiences,” were a huge hit with fans, selling out in practically every city on the tour. This run takes the packages to another level with backstage tours, photos on the stage, exciting new interactive experiences and added memorabilia to The Paradigm Lounge. For full package details, please visit cidentertainment.com/events/avenged-sevenfold-2018.

This tour will be the band’s first with Prophets of Rage, who are touring in support of their internationally acclaimed, self-titled debut LP. Prophets of Rage features Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine, Chuck D and DJ Lord of Public Enemy and B-Real of Cypress Hill.

“We’re proud to tour with Prophets of Rage and Three Days Grace this summer across America,” says Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows. “We see this tour as an opportunity to create an event with special bands and different generations of rock fans. From the moment you arrive at the venue until the last note is played, we’re hoping to give you the time of your life.”

“Awful pop dominating the airwaves? Political chaos across the land? Wanna fight back? Well The End Of The World Tour is here,” says Prophets of Rage’s Tom Morello. “Prophets of Rage & Avenged Sevenfold have always played absolutely uncompromising music. If you want your summer loud, raw and fearless we’ll see you in the pit.”

After a stadium tour with Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold recently wrapped the first part of their own sold-out North American headlining run in support of critically acclaimed album, The Stage (Capitol). Now available as a deluxe edition, the album features 22 tracks, 7 of which are additional studio songs + 4 are live tracks recorded during the band’s recent shows at The O2 Arena in London. The CD and vinyl versions feature a special lenticular cover. Among the 7 bonus tracks is the band’s stunning cover of the Pink Floyd classic, Wish You Were Here – the companion video can be seen here HERE.

The quintet (vocalist M. Shadows, guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ and drummer Brooks Wackerman) kicked off 2018 with their first-ever Grammy nomination, as the title track for ‘The Stage’ earned the nod for “Best Rock Song.”

End of the World Tour tour dates:

July:

22 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center
25 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
26 Hartford, CT The XFINITY Theatre
31 Holmdel, NJ P.N.C. Bank Arts Center

August:

1 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
3 Pittsburgh, PA KeyBank Pavilion
4 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
6 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
7 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
9 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
11 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
12 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
16 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion
17 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena
19 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
21 San Diego, CA Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
22 Los Angeles, CA The Forum
24 Concord, CA Concord Pavilion
28 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
30 Denver, CO Pepsi Center

September:

1 Dallas, TX Starplex Pavilion
2 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman

Follow Avenged Sevenfold online at:

Offical Website
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

SLAYER ANNOUNCES A SECOND AMERICAN LEG FOR ITS FINAL WORLD TOUR

Literally by popular demand – with more than half the tour dates already either completely sold out or a sell-out imminent – today Slayer announces Leg Two, North America, of its final world tour, set to begin on Thursday, July 26th at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, NH. The tour will travel to 20 cities over about five weeks, culminating at San Jose’s SAP Center on August 26th. Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death will accompany the band on all dates. The general ticket onsale for most dates begins this Friday, March 9th at 10AM (local). Very limited Slayer onstage + Meet & Greet + exclusive merchandise packages will be available. Log on to slayer.net. for all ticket and package purchasing information.

A second North American leg for this tour had been considered to take place at some point down the line, but within 48-hours of the initial January 26th ticket on sale date, that all changed.

“We were blown away by the speed of sales for the final run,” said Rick Franks, President of Touring for Live Nation, one of the tour’s promoters. “Thirty-six years later and Slayer is bigger than ever before.”

On January 22th, Slayer announced that it would do one last concert tour around the globe to thank their fans for all of their support over the years, for making the last three-and-a-half decades so packed with good times and unforgettable experiences, and then move on.

New and previously announced dates for Slayer’s final world tour, North America Legs One and Two, are as follows:

Leg One:

May:

10 Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, CA
11 FivePoint Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA SOLD OUT
13 Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
16 Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC
17 South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, BC
19 Big Four, Calgary, AL SOLD OUT
20 Shaw Convention Centre, Edmonton, AB SOLD OUT
22 Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB
24 The Armory, Minneapolis, MN SOLD OUT
25 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL
27 Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI SOLD OUT
29 Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON SOLD OUT
30 Place Bell, Montreal, PQ SOLD OUT

June:

1 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT SOLD OUT
2 PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
4 Santander Arena, Reading, PA SOLD OUT
6 Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
7 Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH
9 KeyBank Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
10 Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
12 Veteran’s United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA
14 PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC
15 Orlando Amphitheater, Orlando, FL
17 Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, Houston, TX SOLD OUT
19 The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX SOLD OUT
20 Austin360 Amphitheater, Austin, TX SOLD OUT

Leg Two:

July:

26 Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, NH
27 Impact Music Festival, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, Bangor, ME
29 Northwell Health at Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY
31 The Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton, PA

August:

1 Times Union Center, Albany, NY
3 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Darien Lake, NY
4 Lakeview Amphitheater, Syracuse, NY
6 Budweiser Gardens, London, ON
7 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI
9 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, St. Louis, MO
10 Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, GA
12 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
13 Walmart AMP, Rogers, AR
15 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX
16 The Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK
18 Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Denver, CO
19 USANA Amphitheatre, Salt Lake City, UT
21 Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater, Boise, ID
23 Sunlight Supply Amphitheater, Portland, OR
26 SAP Center, San Jose, CA

For more information, please visit slayer.net

MICHAEL SCHENKER DISCUSSES HIS CAREER AND SAYS, “I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I FOUND OUT HOW MANY GUITARISTS NAMED ME AS A FAVORITE GUITARIST”

Greg Prato of the Long Island Pulse spoke with guitar icon Michael Schenker. The interview appears in its entirety below.

Long Island Pulse: Let’s discuss the new album.

Michael Schenker: At some point recently, I said to Temple of Rock, “We need a break; we’ve been touring for four or five years.” I was asking myself, “What should I do?” And it popped in my mind that I have been doing the most popular music of Michael Schenker for the last few years, but it was all sung by other singers. I realized this is a certain part of my life, the third stage of my life, and it is celebration time. This is the time for me to perform with the original singers.

Long Island Pulse: What do you mean by the “third stage” of your life?

Michael Schenker: My life comes in three stages. The first stage is my musical contribution unconsciously to the world…I experienced fame and success at its highest, and I was able to, very early in my life, make a decision if I wanted to carry on holding on to fame, or to start the second chapter and experiment with music. I was boiling with energy and creativity. I wanted to do all sorts of funny stuff and I thought it would be better to be on my own to do that. That’s when I started my middle years, my second part of my life, and started the Michael Schenker Group. That prepared me for today, my third stage of my life—to [record] with four singers and perform my most popular music. I had always had stage fright, and in 2008, out of the blue, I couldn’t believe it, I wanted to be on stage. A 180 degree change. I took that as a sign to continue where I stopped with Strangers in the Night [UFO’s 1979 live album] and Lovedrive [the Scorpions’ 1979 studio album]. Since 2008, I just went forward, and am enjoying the third part of my life.

Long Island Pulse: Metallica’s Kirk Hammett plays on the song Heart and Soul.

Michael Schenker: Peter Mensch told me when he began managing Metallica that I am Kirk Hammett’s favorite guitarist. Kirk always wanted to connect with me, but he never really had the courage to. Eventually, they put something together on That Metal Show with Eddie Trunk and invited me to jam with Kirk without rehearsal and we did an interview together. He is a fan and became a friend, and he plays in the biggest band in the world. I said, “Kirk, do you want to do this?” And he said, “I’d love to.” But he wanted to record it at his own studio in Hawaii, so his management paid for Michael Voss, our co-producer, to fly over there. We left the holes where we wanted him to play his parts. They sent me pictures. Kirk looked like a happy 19-year-old. [Laughs]

Long Island Pulse: I interviewed you a while back for a book Shredders and countless guitarists I also spoke to listed you as an important influence. How does it feel to hear you are an inspiration for other musicians?

Michael Schenker: I never wanted to be famous. I always just was fascinated with a single string, the art of lead guitar with pure self-expression. I never expected any award or anything. I was shocked when I was presented with my first award. And I was shocked when I later found out how many guitarists named me as a favorite guitarist, and how much I influenced the rock n’ roll scene…I was always aware that I was not a trend follower, but I did not know that I was a trend-maker.

Long Island Pulse: What can fans expect at the upcoming show at Irving Plaza?

Michael Schenker: It’s a fantastic set. It’s classics, classics, classics and some new songs. It’s the most popular music of Michael Schenker, and it’s a very well-balanced set. It’s a two-and-a-half hour show with four singers. There is something for everybody.

Michael Schenker Fest’s Resurrection is out today (March 2nd) through Nuclear Blast.

Michael Schenker Fest’s remaining North American Tour Dates are as follows;

Mar 6 The Fillmore Silver Springs, MD
Mar 7 Carnegie Music Hall Munhall, PA
Mar 9 Berklee Performance Center Boston, MA
Mar 10 Irving Plaza New York, NY
Mar 11 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA
Mar 12 Club Soda Montreal, QC CAN
Mar 14 Royal Oak Music Theatre Detroit, MI
Mar 16 Agora Theatre Cleveland, OH
Mar 17 Concord Music Hall Chicago, IL
Mar 18 Pabst Theater Milwaukee, WI
Mar 19 Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
Mar 22 Neptune Theatre Seattle, WA
Mar 24 City National Civic of San Jose San Jose, CA
Mar 25 City National Grove Anaheim, CA
Mar 26 Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ
Mar 27 House of Blues Las Vegas, NV
Mar 29 Cervantes Ballroom Denver, CO
Mar 31 Vibes Event Center San Antonio, TX

Apr 1 Bomb Factory Dallas, TX
Apr 3 The Ritz Tampa, FL

source: lipulse.com

JUDAS PRIEST RELEASE LYRIC VIDEO FOR “NEVER THE HEROES,” ANNOUNCE NEW YORK CITY RECORD SIGNING

Judas Priest have released a lyric video for the song, Never The Heroes, from their forthcoming album, Firepower, which will be released on March 9th. Listen to the track, below.

Never The Heroes by Judas Priest on VEVO.

Additionally, the band will be signing copies of Firepower on March 19th at 6:00 p.m at the Sony Square NYC (25 Madison Avenue) in New York City.

Firepower track listing (click on highlighted titles to hear the song):

1. Firepower
2. Lightning Strike
3. Evil Never Dies
4. Never The Heroes
5. Necromancer
6. Children of the Sun
7. Guardians
8. Rising From Ruins
9. Flame Thrower
10. Spectre
11. Traitors Gate
12. No Surrender
13. Lone Wolf
14. Sea of Red

Judas Priest 2018 Firepower tour dates;

Mar 13: Wilkes Barre Mohegan Sun Arena At Casey Plaza, PA
Mar 15: Youngstown Covelli Centre, OH
Mar 17: Uniondale Nassau Coliseum, NY
Mar 18: Washington The Anthem, DC
Mar 20: Newark Prudential Center, NJ
Mar 22: Uncasville Mogehan Sun Arena, CT
Mar 23: The Palladium Worcester, MA
Mar 25: Ottawa The Arena At TD Place, ON
Mar 27: London Budweiser Gardens, ON
Mar 28: Oshawa Tribute Communities Centre, ON
Mar 30: Rama Casino Rama, ON
Mar 31: Detroit Masonic Temple, MI

Apr 3: Milwaukee Riverside Theater, WI
Apr 5: Green Bay Resch Center, WI
Apr 8: Bloomington Grossinger Motors Arena, IL
Apr 10: Casper Events Center, WY
Apr 11: Loveland Budweiser Events Center, CO
Apr 15: Kent ShoWare Center, WA
Apr 17: Portland Veterans Memorial Coliseum, OR
Apr 19: San Francisco The Warfield, CA
Apr 22: Los Angeles Microsoft Theatre, CA
Apr 24: Phoenix Comercia Theatre, AZ
Apr 26: Tulsa BOK Center, OK
Apr 28: Dallas Bomb Factory, TX
Apr 29: Sugarland Smart Financial Centre, TX

May 1: San Antonio Freeman Coliseum, TX