Author Archives : Dana

SLAYER’S DRUMMER LOMBARDO DISMISSED FROM AUSTRALIAN TOUR AFTER FINANCIAL DISPUTE

Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo has just given a clue into the band’s business dealings and internal turmoil. One week ago, on Valentine’s Day, Lombardo was notified by the band’s lawyers that his services would no longer be needed for Slayer’s upcoming Australian tour dates. Lombardo has detailed the sudden decision in an official statement.

Lombardo posted the following on his Facebook page today (February, 21st):

“I want to personally apologize to all of our fans in Australia who have bought tickets for the tour expecting to see me in my usual place on the drums.

So that you all know the truth, as of the end of the business day on February 14th, I was notified that I would not be drumming for the tour in Australia. I’m saddened, and to be honest I am shocked by the situation.

Last year, I discovered 90% of Slayer’s tour income was being deducted as expenses including the professional fees paid to management, costing the band millions of dollars and leaving 10% or less to split amongst the four of us. In my opinion, this is not the way a band’s business should operate. I tried rectifying it by letting my band mates know, and Tom and I hired auditors to figure out what happened, but I was denied access to detailed information and the necessary back up documents.

I spent the Christmas and New Year holidays realizing I had toured all over the world in 2012, but yet, had not been paid (except a small advance) or provided a proper accounting for a full year’s sweat and blood. On top of this, I was told that I would not be paid until I signed a long form contract which gave me no written assurance of how much or on what basis management would deduct commissions, nor did it provide me access to the financial budgets or records for review. It also forbade me to do interviews or make statements having to do with the band, in effect a gagging order.

Last Monday, I sat down with Kerry [King] and Tom [Araya] to rehearse for Australia and to propose a new business model that I felt was the best way forward for Slayer to confidently protect itself so we could do what we do best . . . play for the fans. Kerry made it clear he wasn’t interested in making changes and said if I wanted to argue the point, he would find another drummer. On Thursday, I arrived at rehearsals at 1 pm as scheduled, but Kerry did not show. Rather, at 6:24 pm I received an email from the lawyers saying I was being replaced for the Australian dates.

I remain hopeful that we can resolve our issues. But once again, I sincerely apologize to all of our fans in Australia who spent their money expecting to see the 3 of us original Slayer members.
I look forward to seeing you in the future.

Sincerely,
Dave Lombardo”

As for Lombardo’s replacement, according to a Tweet from Soundwave Festival promoter AJ Maddah, Jon Dette will be the replacement drummer for Slayer while the band is in Australia. Dette was the band’s drummer in 1996 and 1997.

It was also recently revealed that Dette would be filling in for Anthrax‘s Charlie Benante for the same Australian Soundwave shows, after Benante was forced to take a break due to “personal issues.”

As far as the future of Slayer is concerned, the band is working on a new album, but with guitarist Jeff Hanneman still recovering from a spider bite and Lombardo being kicked off the Australia tour, things seem up in the air right now. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as news on the Slayer situation continues to break.

source: loudwire.com

GUITAR ICON ORIANTHI’S “HEAVEN IN THIS HELL” TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 12TH

Platinum selling solo artist and iconic guitarist Orianthi is gearing up for the release of her new album, Heaven In This Hell. Orianthi will captivate fans with a record that delivers a mega-dose of rock and weaves elements of modern country and swampy blues. The album, produced by Dave Stewart, will be released on Robo Records (distributed by Universal/Fontana) and is scheduled to be releases on March 12th, 2013. The first single, Frozen, will be serviced to Rock and Classic Rock radio on January 28th.

From writing her first song at the age of 6, to being discovered and playing alongside her idols Carlos Santana and Steve Vai early in her career, Orianthi has made an enduring mark on the music industry. While many were introduced to this timid guitar goddess when she played the Grammy Awards in 2009 as part of Carrie Underwood’s band, it was being selected for Michael Jackson’s ill-fated This Is It Tour that exposed her to mainstream audiences. In the Fall of 2009, Orianthi released According To You, her first solo single, which went platinum in the U.S. and abroad. More than just a gifted guitarist, this success showed she had serious vocal chops as well.

In late 2011, between legs of Alice Cooper’s world tour (where she played lead guitar), she began work on her forthcoming project. “I am so proud of this album because it really showcases my style of riff heavy rock and energetic blues,” Orianthi remarks. “The success of Believe [her previous CD] helped give me credibility and afforded me the freedom to create the kind of album I have been wanting to make, with musicians I respect, playing together live in a studio, creatively exchanging ideas…the way I want all my records to be made. My friend, collaborator and producer, Dave Stewart and I just jammed and hashed out a variety of songs and sounds until we found the grooves that inspired us” she continued.

While Orianthi recorded a majority of Heaven In This Hell at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, she also recorded several songs and overdubs at Dave Stewart’s (of The Eurythmics) Hollywood Studio. “Working with Ori over the last year has been an inspiring experience for me,” said Stewart. “She is such a dedicated guitarist and focused songwriter; her enthusiasm is infectious and all the musicians who worked on the record were motivated to give her their best. When we went to Nashville, we knew we were about to embark on something exciting, something career altering,” he continued.

The time spent in Nashville left an indelible impression that can be heard in several of the tracks, which were mixed by Nashville resident John McBride. New tracks like Rock and Another You are examples of crossover country-AC songs that blend heartfelt harmonies and melodies with lyrics that showcase a more vulnerable, exposed emotional side, often veiled by her signature PRS axe. Heaven In This Hell the title track, is a blues-rooted rock song which features swampy guitar riffs with an edgy Zeppelin-esque vibe. Songs like Frozen, the first single, and You Don’t Wanna Know provide listeners with some insight into a couple of her primary musical influences with raw, crunchy guitar riffs reminiscent of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. If You Think You Know Me is an arousing anthem with thunderous drums, meant to inspire and empower anyone who has ever felt alone. This track, which begs to be played in a large arena, asks listeners, “Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in?/Like there’s somebody else inside your skin?/ Well you’re not alone/We all came here for something.”

“To say that we are excited about this record is a complete understatement” said Rob Christie, founder of Robo Records. “Not only is Orianthi one of the most gifted musicians I’ve heard, but she also has a heart of gold. She is extremely passionate about music, animals, family and her fans. She truly is an inspiration to adults and children, literally around the globe.”

“I’m so excited to share Heaven In This Hell with the fans! It’s been a long time coming for me,” says Orianthi.

Watch a sneak peek into the making of Orianthi’s Heaven in This Hell below.

“THE PRIDE,” FEATURING ZAKK WYLDE AND OTHERS, RECORD SONG TO RAISE MONEY FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY

“The Pride” Featuring Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, ex- Ozzy Osbourne), Kevin Martin (Candlebox, The Gracious Few), Morgan Rose (Sevendust, Call Me No One), John “JD” DeServio (Black Label Society, Cycle Of Pain) & The Infinite Staircase, the song written and recorded for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, is now available on iTunes. Preview and download it at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/pride-feat.-zakk-wylde-morgan/id598185653.

The Pride was recorded at Architekt Music, the state of the art recording facility in Butler, New Jersey where Sevendust recently tracked Black Out The Sun and The Infinite Staircase continue to record their new album with Morgan Rose. It was mixed by house engineer Mike Ferretti (Sevendust, Call Me No One) and mastered by Alan Douches (Fleetwood Mac, Yes) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York.

The song was released via Vanity Music Group and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Carl V. Bini Memorial Foundation for distribution to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

A music video is also in the works with details on its release expected soon. Ralph Savercool lll is directing it.

The Carl V. Bini Memorial Fund was founded in honor of Firefighter Carl V. Bini, a member of the FDNY tragically taken during 9/11. The fund’s mission is to memorialize the heroism of its fallen hero by providing aid to those who so desperately need it now and in the future.

THE RONNIE JAMES DIO CANCER FUND PESENTS THE T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION WITH $100,000

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (Dio Cancer Fund) Board of Directors presented the T.J. Martell Foundation with $100,000 during the 5th Annual Wine Celebration Dinner in Los Angeles on Wednesday, February 6th. The contribution is part of a three-year pledge for gastric cancer research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

Formed in honor of the legendary singer who lost his life to stomach cancer, The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support prostate, colon and stomach cancer research, raise awareness and educate the public with the focus that early detection and prevention is of vital importance when dealing with this deadly disease that robs families of its loved ones.

Wendy Dio, President and Founder of the Cancer Fund, made the check presentation to the T.J. Martell Foundation’s CEO Laura Heatherly, saying, “After my husband, Ronnie James Dio passed away from Gastric Cancer, I made a promise to him to raise funds for cancer research and education and I formed the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Two and a half years ago we pledged $300,000 to the T.J. Martell Foundation and with our recent donation of $100,000 we have met our pledge. We intend to continue to raise funds for cancer research and hope one day we can find a cure for this horrible disease.”

“We have a special partnership with Wendy Dio and the Board of Directors of the Ronnie James Dio Cancer Fund,” said Laura Heatherly. “Both groups are working hard to do what we can to fund important cancer research that will eventually turn into drug discoveries and clinical trials which ultimately may save someone’s life.”

With the support of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, Vanderbilt has established a collaborative research environment with some of the leading gastric cancer researchers in the world including Pelayo Correa, M.D., Richard Peek Jr., M.D., James R. Goldenring, M.D., Ph.D., Robert J. Coffey, M.D., Wael El-Rifai, M.D., Ph.D., and Stephen Fesik, Ph.D. These key investigators have made seminal discoveries on the causes of gastric cancer and are using these discoveries to find new therapies.

THE WHO TO PLAY BENEFIT SHOW FOR TEEN CANCER AMERICA IN NYC ON FEBRUARY 28th

Legendary rockers The Who and Elvis Costello & The Imposters will perform an intimate concert Thursday, February 28th at New York City’s The Theater at Madison Square Garden to benefit Teen Cancer America and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Teen Cancer America is igniting a movement around changing the way teens and young adults with cancer are treated and supported from the point of diagnosis.  Funds raised from the February 28th benefit concert will go towards helping hospitals develop units designed to give the very best chance of a positive outcome both physically and emotionally. In addition to state-of-the-art facilities to keep patients occupied during long stays in hospital, the units will strive to provide an environment where they can meet others in a similar situation, helping to support their transition between teen and adulthood.

This represents the first-ever New York-area fundraiser The Who have performed for Teen Cancer America; Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are the driving force behind Teen Cancer America.  After more than a decade of working with Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK, they bring their passion for making a difference in the lives of teens and young adults with cancer to the United States.  This special show marks The Who’s final 2013 U.S. show (where they’ll perform their greatest hits).

Tickets and VIP packages for the February 28th fundraiser are on sale now via http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004995B30D7942?did=tca201.

Ticketmaster is happy to be a participant donor for The Who’s February 28th show benefiting Teen Cancer America at Madison Square Garden. They are waiving convenience fees for fans purchasing VIP packages.

For additional information about Teen Cancer America, please visit www.teencanceramerica.org.

TORA TORA CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY WITH LIMITED EDITION “SUPER FAN PACKAGE”

Tora Tora is releasing an extremely limited and rare ‘Super Fan Package’ in honor of their 25th Anniversary together as a band. The band has decided to offer up only 100 total packages ever at www.fnarecords.net, making this one of the most limited hard rock fan packages on the market.

The Tora Tora 25th Anniversary fan package will include the following items:

(1) Tora Tora – To Rock To Roll CD (true to the original indie cassette that was released 25 years ago in a limited run of 500 cassettes),

(2) Limited edition 25th Anniversary t-shirt (exclusive to this package)

(3) Limited edition 25th Anniversary bandana (exclusive to this package),

(4) Embroidered ball cap

(5) Three limited edition 25th Anniversary guitar pics.

Additionally, each of the lucky 100 fans to buy this ‘Super Fan Package’ will also be entered into a contest to win an autographed guitar signed by the entire band.

Just over 25 years ago, hard-working, blue collar hard rock band Tora Tora were on a high after winning a ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest giving them the opportunity to record and release their very own independent album. The end result was an album entitled To Rock To Roll. While the look of the indie cassette was very amateurish, the music was undeniably representative of a band that had what it would take to run with the ‘big dogs’… and the major labels did come calling. This led to the band being signed by A&M Records and the release of a very-well respected album entitled Surprise Attack, which in turn led to MTV Music videos, tons of radio airplay, and national tours. The band received praise from the fans and press alike allowing them to come off the road and head right back into the studio to record their sophomore effort, Wild America, which led to even more music videos and touring. It was 1993, and Tora Tora was a band with momentum set forth to start recordings for what would be a third effort entitled Revolution Day. However, unbeknownst to most hard rock enthusiasts, a new scene called Grunge was brewing and the bottom of the hard rock world fell out from underneath countless bands of the same ilk. Revolution Day would never see the light of day until almost two decades later when FnA Records teamed up with Tora Tora to release a handful of never-before-heard Tora Tora recordings.

This ‘Super Fan Pack’ harkens back to the album that got the whole thing started. Tora Tora has graciously allowed for 100, and only 100, exact replicas of the To Rock To Roll album to be produced, and have vowed that they will never remanufacture the album again. The artwork is true in every way to that of the indie cassette release which featured original versions of the songs Phantom Rider and Love’s A Bitch. This limited edition CD also contains three other tracks from the To Rock To Roll album: Wasted Love, To Rock To Roll, and Time On The Edge. Each of the hundred CD’s are autographed by all of the original members (Anthony Corder, Keith Douglas, Patrick Francis, and John Patterson) and individually numbered through an imprinted hologram security sticker that guarantees its authenticity. All the other items are available only as part of this package and are not being sold individually.

Although this package is extremely limited and will sell out quickly, fear not as the music from To Rock To Roll is also available on the 2010 FnA Records release Before & After. Also included on Before & After is an original recording of the popular hit Walkin’ Shoes and four demos written for the Revolution Day sessions. If you haven’t had the opportunity, be sure to pick up the other Tora Tora releases on FnA Records — in addition to Before & After, is the album Bombs Away (which features 11 tracks written during the Surprise Attack sessions) and Miss B’ Havin (which features 13 tracks written during the Wild America sessions), and the heavily sought after third recording Revolution Day featuring memorable tracks like Mississippi Voodoo Child, Candle And The Stone, Rescue Me, and a handful of other true-to-form Tora Tora classic sounding album tracks.

Tora Tora is truly one of those bands that has stood the test of time. They have managed to do what most of their fellow bands have not been able to do, and that is keep all the original members together (and on friendly terms) for over two-and-a-half decades. The band still gets out and does the occasional live performance — in fact this year, the band is looking at playing a few gigs in the U.S. and in Canada. Make sure to stay tuned for what this band has on the horizon.

Watch the video for their hit song  Walkin’ Shoes below:

 

 

 

 

 

source: sleazeroxx.com