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SIRIUSXM’S HAIR NATION FESTIVAL WRAPS WITH OVER 10,000 IN ATTENDANCE AT IRVINE MEADOWS AMPHITHEATRE FEATURING VINCE NEIL AND BRET MICHAELS ON SEPTEMBER 17TH

SiriusXM’s Hair Nation Festival brought over 10,000 fans to Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Southern California on Saturday, September 17th. At one of the venue’s last major rock shows, emotions were flowing throughout the night. Produced by Live Nation and Synergy Global Entertainment (SGE), Hair Nation gave rock fans from around the globe a chance to re-live the filth of the Sunset Strip. Highlights included headline performances by Vince Neil and Bret Michaels, the reunion of LA Guns’ Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis, and an Eddie Trunk led audience “Happy Birthday” sing-a-long for Lita Ford.

At the Eddie Trunk-hosted festival, attendees were treated to performances by Vince Neil, Bret Michaels, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kix, Slaughter, Lita Ford, Vixen, Britny Fox, BulletBoys, Faster Pussycat, LA Guns’ Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns, Enuff Z’Nuff, Junkyard, Vain, Tuff, Bang Tango, Pretty Boy Floyd, Odin, Gabbie Rae, Circus of Power, and Battle of the Bands winners, The Aviators and Electric Hounds.

John Reese of SGE comments, “It feels great to be able to have rock n’ roll fans from around the world unite and dedicate one night to these era-defining rock n’ roll artists.”

SiriusXM’s Hair Nation, channel 39, aired highlights from SiriusXM’s Hair Nation Festival, including performances and interviews.

Here’s a sample of what press had to say about SiriusXM’s Hair Nation Festival:

“The SiriusXM Hair Nation Festival rocked Irvine Meadows over the weekend with the same exciting fun and flare that defined the 1980s. The first-time festival is one of the final shows on the schedule before the famed amphitheatre closes its doors for good next month. With artists on the bill such as Lita Ford, Bret Michaels and Vince Neil, it was a perfect way to celebrate the venue’s incredible 35-year run.”

– Sari Cohen, AXS.com, September 19th, 2016

“Whether you were into leather, lace, or spandex in the 1980’s, Sirius XM’s Hair Nation Festival had something for everyone that strutted into the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater on Saturday, September 17th. A near-capacity crowd was on hand to pay homage to some of the finest rock and roll bands to ever walk the Sunset Strip and nobody in attendance walked away disappointed. From newcomers on the scene like The Aviators and Electric Hound to heavyweights Vince Neil and Bret Michaels, this year’s lineup was one for the ages and surely pleased even the most discerning rock and roll aficionado.”

– Matthew Belter, Hunnypot Unlimited, September 23rd, 2016

For more information on SiriusXM’s Hair Nation Festival, please visit:

HairNationFest.com
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All photos courtesy of Crystal Gray/SoCal Fotos

METALLICA’S LARS ULRICH SAYS HE EATS 20 PANCAKES A DAY

Hardeep Phull of the New York Post spoke with Metallica drummer, Lars Ulrich. Excerpts of the interview appear below.

NYP: The response to new single Hardwired has been pretty positive. Do you think fans are going to feel similarly about the album Hardwired . . . To Self-Destruct?

Lars Ulrich: The response in the inner circle to our album has been very positive, beyond what we expected. But, 2016 is like the Wild West in music. What happens when you put out an album is anyone’s guess. We have access to all information, and the iPhone 7 will get it to us faster than last week’s iPhone. But the downside is that everyone’s got an attention span of about nine seconds, and then it’s on to the next thing. So who knows how this album will connect?

NYP: Lyrically, Hardwired has a very pointed sense of impending doom to it. Is that the theme of the album?

Lars Ulrich: We don’t write to be topical, but there are a lot of songs that have conflict, questions, vulnerabilities, uncertainties. There’s lots of stuff for people to relate to. I haven’t quite wrapped my head around that yet, but James’ [Hetfield, Metallica’s singer-guitarist] best lyrics are usually the ones that are more ambiguous.

NYP: Drumming in Metallica can’t be easy at the age of 52. What are you doing to keep up the pace?

Lars Ulrich: Well, I go running pretty much every day for 30 to 45 minutes. That’s an expected one. But, a significant part of my diet are these oat pancakes that I eat. They’re made of egg whites, oats, fat-free yogurt and a little Stevia. That’s my carbs. It’s a recipe that comes from the French nutritionist Pierre Dukan. I eat about 20 of them a day — I’m never more than 6 feet away from a pancake at any time. It’s the fuel to the drumming in Metallica.

Read more of Lars Ulrich’s interview with the New York Post by clicking here.

source: nypost.com

SINGER PHIL LEWIS AND GUITARIST TRACII GUNS TO RELEASE NEW MATERIAL NEXT YEAR WITH A SELECT GROUP OF LIVE SHOWS ANNOUNCED

Frontiers Music Srl is delighted to welcome the reunion of Tracii Guns And Phil Lewis as L.A. Guns to the label for the release of a brand new album set for release in the summer of 2017.

After a nearly 15 year break, Philip Lewis and Tracii Guns are back together for another chapter in their partnership that began in 1986, four years after Tracii formed L.A. Guns in 1982.

Their writing partnership spawned classic L.A. Guns songs such as Sex Action, Never Enough, Electric Gypsy, The Ballad Of Jayne, and countless more in an impressive catalog of fan favorites. The last time Lewis and Guns joined forces was back in 2000 with legendary producer Andy Johns for the making of what would become Waking The Dead-an album that went on to receive tremendous critical acclaim and proved that their musical partnership was every bit as strong as the early days with all-killer-no-filler songs including Don’t Look At Me That Way, Hellraisers Ball, and The Ballad.

“I think we owe it to our fans who have stuck with us during the many ups and downs of the band’s long and checkered career,” says Lewis. “Tracii and I have written the songs to the soundtrack of many people’s lives, and I think it’s definitely worth investigating to see if the magic is still there.”

As for Guns, he’s been compiling song ideas over the last year and promises this one will be one of the band’s heaviest records, simply stating, “It’s good to be home.”

The band has already confirmed a bunch of UK shows in early 2017 and two shows at the legendary Whisky A Go-Go in Los Angeles, CA with more surprises to be announced soon.

L.A. Guns tour dates for the US & UK:

March:

3. Los Angeles, CA, Whisky A Go Go
4. Los Angeles, CA, Whisky A Go Go
10. Belfast. Limelight2.
11. Phewelli. HRH fest.
12. Swansea. Scene
16. Bristol. Bierkeller.
17. Basingstoke. Stage.
18. Wolverhampton. Civic.
20. Doncaster. Diamond.
22. Sheffield. Academy2.
23. Edinburgh. La Belle Angele.
24. Glasgow. ABC2
25. London. Academy2

Follow L.A. Guns online:

facebook.com/LAFknGuns
facebook.com/traciiguns
facebook.com/philip.lewis

Photo Credit: Ron Lyon

SINGER/BASSIST GLENN HUGHES DEBUTS MUSIC VIDEO FOR “HEAVY”

Glenn Hughes, the legendary “Voice Of Rock,” has released the first music video from his upcoming eighth solo album, Resonate. The video for the debut single Heavy is now available worldwide and can be seen below.

The music video also features a guest appearance by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, who also played on the track. Resonate is scheduled for release on November 4th by Frontiers Music SRL.

“It’s time to bust out the big grooves,” explains Glenn Hughes when asked about the track.

Resonate will be available in two configurations: regular cd and deluxe edition including one bonus track and DVD. The Deluxe Edition includes the bonus track Nothing’s The Same, plus a bonus DVD disc featuring the “Making of” the album documentary – Heavy (song video), and Long Time Gone (song video). A vinyl release will be made available via the Frontiers’ label partners Soulfood Music. The album is available for pre-order through Amazon, iTunes and Google Play. The single Heavy is also available on Spotify.

From album opener, Heavy, to the very last chords of the closer, Long Time Gone, Resonate promises to be a contender for “Album of the Year.” The album features his live solo band members, Soren Andersen (guitars and co-producer), Pontus Engborg (drums) and newcomer to his band, Lachy Doley (keyboards). In addition, long-time friend and drummer, Chad Smith (of Red Hot Chili Peppers), added his drumming skills to the tracks Heavy and Long Time Gone. An EPK talking about Resonate can be seen below.

Glenn Hughes online:

Official Website
Facebook
Twitter

AN INSIDE LOOK AT SIRIUS/XM’S HAIR NATION FESTIVAL WITH EDDIE TRUNK

Sari Cohen of AXS reports:

The SiriusXM Hair Nation Festival rocked Irvine Meadows over the weekend with the same exciting fun and flare that defined the 1980s. The first-time festival is one of the final shows on the schedule before the famed amphitheatre closes its doors for good next month. With artists on the bill such as Lita Ford, Bret Michaels and Vince Neil, it was a perfect way to celebrate the venue’s incredible 35-year run.

In honor of the occasion, we went behind the scenes with Hair Nation Festival host, Eddie Trunk. The Hard Rock and Heavy Metal connoisseur currently hosts Eddie Trunk Live on SiriusXM channel 39 (known as Trunk Nation); he hosted, developed and co-produced That Metal Show on VH1 Classic, and is also host of the AXS TV show Reel to Rea.

We asked the aficionado, who throughout the evening sang on stage with Slaughter and led the crowd in performing a surprise “Happy Birthday” for Lita Ford, about his perspective on this particular festival. Trunk explained about the progression of Rock music and how the songs of the ‘80s have now become this generation’s Classic Rock. “These events are a celebration of that”, he said.

…AXS asked Eddie Trunk what it is about this genre of music that he thinks resonates most with people and why a platform like this is so important. He explained, “The thing people love about the music is the combination of great melody and vocals mixed with great guitar. Unfortunately, there are a lot of great enduring songs that radio overlooks. This platform is a great way for fans to still get to see these guys live. And it’s encouraging to know that regardless of what the critics say, this music still resonates.”

…The beauty in the revival happening now is, as Eddie Trunk said, “People tend to forget how completely beat up this music got by the media and the Grunge scene in the ‘90s. It’s taken these bands 25 years to play at a place where people can celebrate their legacy instead of try to knock it down.”

Read more at AXS.

source: axs.com

EXTREME CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CLASSIC “PORNOGRAFFITTI” ALBUM WITH RELEASE OF “PORNOGRAFFITTI LIVE 25/METAL MELTDOWN” BLU-RAY/DVD/CD, NEW RELEASE DATE SET FOR OCTOBER 14TH

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of Extreme’s classic multi-Platinum, Grammy® nominated, Pornograffitti, the definitive album of the band’s career. To mark the anniversary, Pornograffitti Live 25/Metal Meltdown will be released October 14th by the award-winning production company Rock Fuel Media in association with Loud & Proud Records as part of their four-part “Metal Meltdown” DVD series. The concert film captures the Boston band performing the album Pornograffitti in its entirety.

Directed by Brian Lockwood (Bon Jovi, Metallica, Motley Crue), the Pornograffitti Live 25/Metal Meltdown package includes a Blu-ray, DVD, and audio CD of the complete concert that was filmed on May 30th, 2015 at The Joint at the world famous Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. It also features Rockshow, a bonus documentary that takes fans through Extreme’s story, with exclusive interviews, ‘80s archive footage, and an exclusive photo gallery. Mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound, it’s now set for release October 14. A trailer can be seen below.

“It was a great thrill to perform Pornograffitti in its entirety,” says singer Gary Cherone. “Some of these songs were never played live before so we had to go back and relearn them for the tour. The album was a watershed moment in the bands career…it’s when we came in to our own and it will always be special.”

As guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt continues, “The band always prided itself on its live performance. Over the years, some of these songs have evolved where the band actually plays them better now than when we had recorded them. Hope you enjoy it.”

Award-winning producer Barry Summers of Rock Fuel Media commented, “It was a real privilege to produce Pornograffitti Live 25/Metal Meltdown in celebration of Pornograffitti, to have the opportunity to work first-hand with such high caliber musicians and audio purists. Over 25 years after this iconic album was released, we captured the band at their very best. Watching Nuno Bettencourt’s off-the-charts guitar solos is simply mind-blowing, as confirmed by Queen’s Brian May and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, whom we filmed paying homage to the Guitar God himself in the RockShow documentary. One of the highlights of the documentary is a moment where Gary and Nuno are sitting on the doorstep of Gary’s childhood home, and they perform a spontaneous version of More Than Words.

Extreme achieved their greatest success with their 1990 album Pornograffitti, which peaked at #10 on the Billboard’s “Top 200 Albums” chart, and was certified multi-Platinum. Musically, Pornograffitti is dominated by blistering guitar riffs, often with funky, syncopated timing, and incendiary, high-speed rock/metal solos. The record provided Bettencourt with widespread admiration from rock guitar enthusiasts and continual exposure in leading guitar playing publications. But it was the acoustic ballad single, More Than Words, that reached #1 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart and was nominated for a Grammy® Award for “Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.” The subsequent single, Hole Hearted, another acoustic track, was also successful, rising to #4 on the same chart. Decadence Dance and Get the Funk Out were also released as singles both landing on Billboard’s Rock chart and becoming fan favorites.

To date, the Grammy-nominated Extreme have released five albums, plus a greatest hits set—selling over 10 million records worldwide. The band’s trademark sound is a mix of hard rock funk in the spirit and style of their predecessors Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen and Van Halen—fueled by Bettencourt’s signature guitar flights and Cherone’s resonant vocals—and matched with a social consciousness in their lyrics.

Pornograffitti Live 25/Metal Meltdown track listing:

1. Decadence Dance
2. Li’l Jack Horny
3. When I’m President
4. Get the Funk Out
5. More Than Words
6. Money (In God We Trust)
7. It (‘s a Monster)
8. Pornograffitti
9. When I First Kissed You
10. Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?)
11. Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee
12. He-Man Woman Hater
13. Song For Love
14. Hole Hearted
15. Play With Me*
16. Cupid’s Dead*

* Songs do not appear on the audio CD.

Extreme online:

Official website
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Metal Meltdown Facebook