Category : LATEST NEWS

SINGER SCOTT STAPP JOINS ART OF ANARCHY

Art Of Anarchy are one of the rare rock bands where each member has a strong identity, and together creates something special. No filler, just raw talent, and dedication to the music and being true to who they are. The members have collectively sold tens of millions of albums worldwide and have a rock pedigree that most artists would be content to rest their laurels on. But while AOA possess the star power of a rock “super group” in spades, the band’s focus is squarely on songwriting and musical craft.

Lead guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal hails formerly from Guns N’ Roses, while bassist John Moyer first rose to fame as a member of Disturbed. Twin brothers Jon Votta (guitar) and Vince Votta (drums), meanwhile, first gained renown as fixtures on the New York music scene. The most recent addition to the group is Grammy Award winner Scott Stapp, the founder and lead singer of Creed. Stapp will be replacing the late Scott Weiland (of Stone Temple Pilots) as AOA’s lead singer.

AOA evolved organically out of an 18-year friendship between Bumblefoot and the Votta brothers. Jon Votta came to Bumblefoot with the idea of putting together a new band with a diverse group of talent and a uniquely melodic and aggressive sound. The group released their self-titled debut album, Art of Anarchy in June 2015, featuring the late Scott Weiland on vocals. The album showcased a gritty hard rock edge balanced by a powerful focus on innovative songwriting and skillful musicianship. Bumblefoot shines throughout the album not only as band’s co-guitarist (and a world class one at that) but also as the producer and engineer on the album. Jon Votta shares lead responsibilities with Bumblefoot and co-wrote the album with Weiland. Vince Votta brings his powerful rock drumming sensibilities and showmanship, while Moyer brings a punchy bottom end that rounds out the sound of AOA.

The band’s next chapter begins now. The addition of Stapp and the electrifying new musical direction he brings ushers in a new era for the group. “I’m excited to be a part of Art of Anarchy,” said Stapp. “I appreciate collaborating with other talented artists and I can’t wait to share our new music with the fans very soon.”

“The other members of AOA and I are equally excited to have Stapp on board,” said manager John Gomez. “This is the first band Scott has fronted outside of Creed and his heart’s really in it. Scott’s vision, his gift for gut-wrenching storytelling, and his powerful vocals lend a bold new energy to the group,”

Bumblefoot adds, “Scott’s style and the personal lyrics he’s been writing are taking the sound in a new direction— one that brings out the best in all of us. It’s a new chapter for us all, and I’m looking forward to sharing the new music with the fans and seeing what the future holds.”

For everything AOA, including upcoming tour dates and news on the band’s upcoming album, head to the band’s official website. Be sure to also follow on Facebook and Twitter.

KISS, OZZY OSBOURNE, MEGADETH, SLAYER, ANTHRAX, AND OTHERS, TO PLAY AT THE “CHICAGO OPEN AIR” FESTIVAL JULY 14TH-16TH

The second annual Chicago Open Air will bring together an all-star lineup of rock’s top artists on Friday, July 14th, Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL, just outside Chicago.

The daily band lineup (subject to change) is as follows:

Friday, July 14th: KISS, Rob Zombie, Megadeth, Anthrax, Meshuggah, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Falling In Reverse, Vimic, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, Crobot, Code Orange, Hell or Highwater, Failure Anthem.

Saturday, July 15th: Korn, Godsmack, Seether, Clutch, Steel Panther, Body Count, Avatar, Mushroomhead, Metal Church, Pig Destroyer, Dragonforce, Cane Hill, Night Verses, Black Map.

Sunday, July 16th: Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Stone Sour, Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, Behemoth, Hellyeah, Demon Hunter, DevilDriver, KYNG, Norma Jean, Whores., DED.

Here’s what some of Chicago Open Air’s top artists have to say about playing the festival:

Dave Mustaine, Megadeth, “This year’s Chicago Open Air festival is going to kick so much ass! I mean, KISS, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Rob Zombie?! If I wasn’t playing, I would want to go just to be part of the party!!

Corey Taylor, Stone Sour, “We are beyond stoked to be a part of Chicago Open Air this year. If you’ve never seen Stone Sour before, you’re in for a goddamn treat. If you HAVE seen Stone Sour before, forget what you’re expecting. It’s a whole new ballgame. See you all soon!”

Randy Blythe, Lamb Of God, “Wassup Chicago! We’re stoked to be playing the Chicago Open Air this year. It’ll be nice to be outside in Illinois for a change, especially since it won’t be 10 below, haha. So come on out and bring your baggies, bikinis and suntan lotion, and surfboards (ok, so you can leave the surfboards at home). See ya there!”

In addition to three days of music, Chicago Open Air’s celebration of everything loud will also include Gourmet Man Food featuring local and regional cuisine, the Headbangers Bier Hall highlighting top brews from the region, other entertainment and fan experiences. The weekend gets started with The Chicago Open Air Kick Off Fiesta (details to be announced in February) and the official Chicago Open Air Pre-Party at Concord Music Hall on Thursday, July 13th.

For more information, please visit chicagoopenair.com.

“SHE ROCKS, VOL.1” FEATURING, LITA FORD, ORIANTHI, NITA STRAUSS, JENNIFER BATTEN, AND MORE, TO BE RELEASED JANUARY 20TH

Favored Nations Entertainment will release the all-female compilation, She Rocks, Vol.1. digitally on January 20th with the physical CD available on February 4th. The compilation will be celebrated at the 2017 “She Rocks Awards,” taking place this Friday in Anaheim, CA during the annual NAMM Convention.

This collection of guitar goddesses is produced by author and former Guitar World editor, Brad Tolinski with iconic guitarist Steve Vai as executive producer, and showcases eleven female guitarists, each a virtuoso in her own right. From the legendary Lita Ford to Sarah Longfield’s jazzy riffin’, to Orianthi’s melodic stylings and the all-out shredding of Nita Strauss, these players each contribute their own voice to this carefully curated collection.

She Rocks, Vol.1 compilation is released on Vai’s own Favored Nations Label, and in cooperation with the Women’s International Music Network hosts of the famed “She Rocks Awards.”

She Rocks, Vol. 1 Track List:

1. Orianthi – “Transmogrify”
2. Yasi Hofer – “Cosmic Stars”
3. Kat Dyson – “U Know What I Like”
4. Sarah Longfield – “The Taxi Time Travel Task Force”
5. Lita Ford w/Lez Zeppelin – “The Lemon Song”
6. Jennifer Batten – “In the Aftermath”
7. Nita Strauss – “Pandemonium”
8. Steph Paynes – “The Sun at Her Eastern Gate”
9. Nili Brosh – “A Matter of Perception”
10. Gretchen Menn – “Scrap Metal”
11. Yvette Young – “Hydra”

The She Rocks, Vol.1 compilation showcases the amazing talents of Orianthi, Yasi Hofer, Kat Dyson, Sarah Longfield, Lita Ford, Jennifer Batten, Nita Strauss, Steph Paynes, Nili Brosh, Gretchen Menn, and Yvette Young and will be released on January 20th. Find out more by clicking here.

JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES’ “SEASON OF THE WITCH” TO ARRIVE MARCH 3RD, NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

World-renowned guitarist JOHN 5 recently announced the release of his upcoming eighth full-length solo album, entitled Season Of The Witch. The fully-instrumental album, which features his band The Creatures (bassist Ian Ross and drummer Rodger Carter), is set to hit stores on March 3rd. The album features experimentation with various genres – including western swing, Spanish flamenco, heavy metal and more – thoroughly showcasing JOHN 5’s diverse virtuosic abilities. Pre-orders will become available via iTunes in early February.

John 5 took a different approach with the release of Season Of The Witch, choosing to share his new music with fans throughout 2016 by releasing several tracks individually in the form of various music videos. Tracks/videos released include the fast-paced Black Grass Plague, downtempo, introspective Behind The Nut Love, hard rocking Now Fear This, jazz fusion marathon Here’s To The Crazy Ones (featuring a bit of “monkeying around”), heavy metal claymation shredfest Making Monsters, and last but not least, the whiskey-soaked Hell Haw. The videos have garnered nearly a million views, collectively.

“Since music is so visual nowadays, I thought these videos would be the best way to get my music out there, and it seems to have worked – now everybody knows the songs on the record,”states John 5.“I put so much work into this record with the videos, the artwork, the songwriting and the playing – out of my catalog, this is by far my favorite solo record.”

Season Of The Witch track listing:

1) Book of Spells
2) Black Grass Plague
3) Guitars, Tits and Monsters
4) Now Fear This
5) Behind the Nut Love
6) Making Monsters
7) Dr. Evil’s Spook Show
8) Here’s To The Crazy Ones
9) The Macabre
10) Triple D
11) Hell Haw
12) Ode to Jasper
13) Season Of The Witch

Kicking off the same day as the album release, John 5 and The Creatures will embark on a US tour, beginning in Fife, WA. See below for all currently confirmed tour dates, with more coming soon.

John 5 “Season Of The Witch” tour dates:

3/3 – Fife, WA @ Louie G’s
3/4 – Everett, WA @ Tony V’s Garage
3/5 – Portland, OR @ Star Theater
3/10 – San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
3/11 – Fresno, CA @ Fulton 55
3/12 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
3/16 – Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar Rock-n-Roll Cafe
3/17 – West Hollywood, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
3/18 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill
3/19 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
3/23 – San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music
3/24 – Tyler, TX @ Clicks Live
3/25 – Houston, TX @ Scout’s Bar
3/26 – Dallas, TX @ Trees

4/11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh
4/12 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora Ballroom
4/13 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
4/14 – Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue
4/15 – Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge
4/16 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies

John 5 online:

Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

NIGHT RANGER TO RELEASE “DON’T LET UP” ON MARCH 24TH, STREAMING NEW SONG “SOMEHOW SOMEWAY”

Frontiers Music Srl is proud to announce the release of Don’t Let Up, the new studio album from Night Ranger. Don’t Let Up is set for a March 24th release. The album will be available in both a standard edition and a deluxe edition (featuring bonus track and bonus DVD – physical format only).

For your first taste of new music from the album, check out Somehow Someway below.

“Somehow Someway is all Night Ranger. It not only captures the spirit of our live shows but also is the essence of who we are and who we have been for the last 35 years…a kick ass American rock and roll band…case closed,” says Jack Blades, bassist and vocalist.

Adds Kelly Keagy, drummer and vocalist, “[t]he song Somehow Someway is an up-tempo rocker with an infectious, big guitar lick. Take caution while you’re driving in your car, you may find yourself going WAY over the speed limit. Check it out!”

“Our new single, Somehow Someway is a rockin’ barnburner up to the standards of our first single, Don’t Tell Me You Love Me. This could be a great song to perform live and add to our setlist….Enjoy!!” encourages guitarist Brad Gillis.

To pre-order Don’t Let Up and/or stream the first single, please click here, or at the links below:

Amazon
Google Play
Spotify

Don’t Let Up Track Listing:

1. Somehow Someway
2. Running Out Of Time
3. Truth
4. Day And Night*
5. Don’t Let Up
6. Won’t Be Your Fool Again
7. Say What You Want
8. We Can Work It Out
9. Comfort Me
10. Jamie
11. Nothing Left Of Yesterday

*Bonus audio track on Deluxe Edition
*Bonus DVD: Band Interviews; Running Out Of Time (video); Day And Night (Video)

With more than 17 million albums sold worldwide, over 3000 live shows performed, and more than 1 billion in radio audience, Night Ranger has both epitomized and transcended the arena rock sound and style of that era and beyond. With songs that have significantly impacted popular culture and continue to expand their ever-growing fan-base, Night Ranger is proof that powerful songs, plus accomplished musicians is the perfect formula for continued success.

Night Ranger has earned widespread acclaim, multi-platinum and gold album status while leaving their indelible mark on the music charts with a string of best-selling albums (Dawn Patrol, Midnight Madness, 7 Wishes, Big Life and Man In Motion), its popularity fueled by an impressive string of instantly recognizable hit singles and signature album tracks. Producing legendary hits such as Sister Christian, Don’t Tell Me You Love Me, When You Close Your Eyes the anthemic (You Can Still) Rock In America, along with Sentimental Street, Goodbye, Sing Me Away, Four in the Morning and more.

The band was also one of the first big “video” bands, with over ten number one videos on MTV.

Night Ranger is Jack Blades (bass, vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums, vocals), Brad Gillis (lead & rhythm guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (lead & rhythm guitars).

For more information on Night Ranger visit:

nightranger.com
facebook.com/nightranger

KXM RELEASE “SCATTERBRAIN” VIDEO

KXM, the band featuring dUg Pinnick of King’s X on vocals/bass, George Lynch of Lynch Mob/Dokken on guitars and Ray Luzier of Korn on drums, has released a video for song the Scatterbrain, which also happens to be the title of their sophmore album, out on March 17th. Watch it below.

Recorded over the span of ten days, every song on Scatterbrain was the result of a musical jam from all three members playing together in the same room.

Ray Luzier explains on the process, “We wanted to use the same formula as the 1st KXM record: book studio time, come in fresh every day with a new idea & run with it and not over think anything.” George Lynch described the sessions as Record-topia, “We showed up in the studio, camped out with a bunch of gear and let the tape roll. Just like the first album, no pre-production, no rehearsal, no pre-written songs.” dUg Pinnick adds, “The vibe was like a bunch of old friends having fun creating music like the previous record, nothing but fun!”

To read more about this release, and to view a track listing, please click here.