Guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist, and producer Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal has released his new video entitled Little Brother Is Watching today. Watch it below.
“The director, Gabriella Loutfi took a real cinematic approach with the song subject” states Bumblefoot. “Rather than showing the current evolution of Orwell’s 1984 “Big Brother,” we turned the clock back to 1984 BC, showing how power struggles for control and order are timeless. The video plays out like chapters of a story – dominating rule, a demand for instant gratification, a revolt and the tables turn. Gabriella gave a ‘tip of the hat’ to pioneer filmmakers like Georges Méliès, often choosing organic methods rather than digital effects. An example is the drowning scenes – long blue and white sheets stretching across a room, each end held by crew, being rippled and waved by hand as the actors would descend between them.”
Bumblefoot’s new album Little Brother Is Watching is an eccentric, upbeat collection of modern epic rock with haunting melodies, huge choruses and witty lyrics about life in the digital age and beyond. Specifically, his own life and coming to terms with what we all face – beginnings, endings, and moving on. The album was composed, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Bumblefoot at his studio in New Jersey, and also features drummer Dennis Leeflang and a crowd of 100 fans stomping, chanting and singing backing vocals recorded at a listening party in New York.
Little Brother Is Watching track listing:
1. Clots
2. Little Brother Is Watching
3. Argentina
4. Don’t Know Who To Pray To Anymore
5. Livin’ The Dream
6. Cuterebra
7. Higher
8. Women Rule The World
9. Sleepwalking
10. Eternity
11. Never Again
For more information, check out Bumblefoot’s web properties:
On April 6th, Skid Row band members Dave “The Snake” Sabo and Rachel Bolan officially announced former TNT frontman, Tony Harnell, as their new lead singer on Eddie’s Sirius/XM show, Eddie Trunk Live.
In another Eddie Trunk Live first, Eddie premiered the Harnell version of 18 & Life on his April 13th show. Listen to it below.
“I’m so excited and honored to be a part of such a great band with an amazing legacy and legions of faithful fans,” enthused Harnell in the band’s announcement of the switch. “The guys and I have known each other for many years and this is such a natural fit. I look forward to getting out there and playing live together and being a part of making new music and creating our future together. It’s time to rock!”
Jon Bon Jovi will return to his hometown for an upcoming reality show in the US.
If I Wasn’t A Rock Star will follow artists as they go back to where they grew up to see how their lives would be different if they hadn’t made it in the music industry.
Bon Jovi, who will also serve as an executive producer on the series, tells Variety, “I was drawn to this project simply because it will be a celebration of the working men and women of the US. They are the real rock stars.”
Fellow executive producer Bob Weinstein adds, “The series will offer music fans a chance to see their favorite stars as they’ve never imagined them before. We can’t wait to see what other amazing talent comes on board.”
Bon Jovi has appeared on the small screen several time previously, starring in Ally McBeal, the West Wing, Sex And The City and 30 Rock.
Slayer, King Diamond, Hellyeah, The Devil Wears Prada, Whitechapel, Thy Art Is Murder, Jungle Rot, Sister Sin, Sworn In, Shattered Sun, Feed Her To The Sharks, Code Orange, Kissing Candice make up the bill for the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Tickets On Sale Beginning Friday April 17th, 2015 at 10:00am Local Time. General admission festival and lawn tickets are only $19.99 including all fees for the first 72 Hours of onsale.
The world’s biggest heavy music touring festival, the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival enters its eighth year with another fantastic heavy metal and hard rock line-up, featuring 13 bands performing on the Rockstar Energy Drink main stage and the Victory Records Stage.
The Rockstar Energy Drink main stage will feature some of the most ground-breaking heavy bands of all time, spanning the originating years of heavy metal to today! The main stage will feature five-time-nominated, two-time Grammy winning legends Slayer as headliner, as well as additional performances from King Diamond, Hellyeah, and The Devil Wears Prada. The Victory Records Stage will feature headliner Whitechapel as well as Thy Art Is Murder, Jungle Rot, Sister Sin, Sworn In, Shattered Sun, Feed Her To The Sharks, Code Orange and Kissing Candice.
Kerry King, guitarist of Rockstar Energy Drink main satge headliners Slayer states, “I don’t know if third time will be a charm, but it will definitely be hellish! Slayer and King Diamond on stage for the first time together in the States- NEVER has Mayhem been more evil. DON’T F–KIN’ MISS IT.”
Rockstar Energy Drink main stage performer and heavy metal hellion King Diamond states, “This is going to be one hot and hellish summer! Slayer and King Diamond on the same stage – it does not get more devilish than this! We will be putting on a one hour set with the full King Diamond stage production. As for a set list, I’m not gonna reveal that here, but it will be built around Dreams of Horror. The Puppet Master will be there with Grandma, and we will even go as far back in time as to 1777 (hint). You’re all in for one hell of a show if you come to this Sabbath!”
“It has been eight years and it feels like it started just yesterday. We are so excited about this year’s lineup and having the mighty Slayer back in support of a new album. In addition, the first time for King Diamond and Hellyeah will be awesome, as well as The Devil Wears Prada’s first time on the Main Stage. The Victory Stage has amazing bands and will play throughout the day. Heavy music is thriving in America and we are excited to be a part of it,” state John Reese and Kevin Lyman, Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival producers.
Tickets for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival go on sale beginning April 17th at 10:00am local time. Please note – Houston, TX tickets go on sale on April 24th at 10:00am local time. General Admission Festival and Lawn Tickets are only $19.99 including all fees for the first 72 hours of onsale (while supplies last).
The festival will kick off on June 26th at Sleep Train Amphitheater in San Diego, CA and ends at Gexa Energy Amphitheater in Dallas, TX on August 2nd. See below for all confirmed tour dates.
2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival dates:
6/26 – San Diego, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
6/27 – San Bernardino, CA @ San Manuel Amphitheater
6/28 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater
6/30 – Auburn, WA (Seattle) @ White River Amphitheater
7/1 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Center Amphitheater
7/3 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Amphitheater
7/4 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
7/5 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks
7/7 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Harrah’s Council Bluffs
7/8 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
7/10 – Noblesville, IN (Indianapolis) @ Kilpsch Amphitheater
7/11 – Clarkston, MI (Detroit) @ DTE Energy Amphitheater
7/12 – Tinley Park, IL (Chicago) @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
7/15 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
7/17 – Camden, NJ (Philadelphia) @ Susquehanna Bank Arts Center
7/18 – Burgettstown, PA (Pittsburgh) @ First Niagara Pavilion
7/19 – Hartford, CT @ Xfinity Theatre
7/21 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
7/22 – Gilford, NH @ Meadowbrook (Bank of NH Pavilion)
7/24 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
7/25 – Boston, MA @ Xfinity Center
7/26 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach
7/29 – Atlanta, GA @ Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood
7/31 – San Antonio, TX @ Whitewater Amphitheatre
Dee Snider of Twisted Sister is angry. And you should know why.
A.J. Pero, drummer and original member of Twisted Sister died of a heart attack, Dee Snider took the loss very hard. He was on vacation, and flew back home to deal with the loss.
When approached at the airport as he landed the day after Pero’s death, Dee Snider told reporters:
“I’m coming home to sad news. My drummer died of a heart attack yesterday. He had a massive heart attack in his sleep, and we lost him. First member of the band to die. You don’t [replace him]. I mean, will we continue to play? Probably, for his family, ’cause his family will benefit from us playing, financially. But of the all five original members of Twisted Sister, he’s the first one we lost.”
Since that statement, an autopsy told the tale of A.J. Pero’s underlying health problems. Dee Snider is now angry that Pero has left behind a family that needs to be cared for when he did not need to leave this world so soon.
“I just gotta say, people ask me how I feel about A.J.’s passing, and quite honestly I’m going through a real period of anger right now about it. He’s a great guy, and I loved him dearly. But he had a history of heart disease, his family did. His father died in his early 60’s of heart disease. And A.J. never had himself checked out. And when they did the autopsy, he had 95% blockage on his aortas, advanced heart disease. And he didn’t have to die. And I feel it’s like basically irresponsible behavior on his part. He had two ex-wives, an ex-girlfriend of 19 years. He had four kids he left behind. You know, you have a responsibility as a parent, as an adult to get yourself checked out. So people, please, get yourself checked out. There’s no reason for people to die of heart disease in this day and age.”
Twisted Sister was already talking about calling it quits after 40 years. But they had planned on going out with a bang, with all five original members still on board. Now they have a replacement drummer filling A.J Pero’s drum throne.
23Drumhead recently posted on old interview that Eddie had conducted with Thin Lizzy/Black Star Riders guitarist Scott Gorham on youtube.
They were discussing the 2009 Thin Lizzy release, Thin Lizzy – Still Dangerous, which was a live album recorded at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia in 1977. Listen to the interview below.
In related Scott Gorham news, Black Star Riders recently announced some tour dates for April, to see the itinerary, and four videos from the band, please click here.
