Gene Simmons is not happy with the pop charts. “I am looking forward to the death of rap,” the KISS singer and reality-TV star tells Rolling Stone. “I’m looking forward to music coming back to lyrics and melody, instead of just talking. A song, as far as I’m concerned, is by definition lyric and melody … or just melody.”
Simmons shared the opinion during an interview about the 40th anniversary of KISS’ Destroyer, bemoaning the current state of the music industry at large.
…”As far as I’m concerned, rock is dead,” he continues. “There ain’t no new bands. Foo Fighters, I love ’em, but they’re a 20-year-old band. These are long-in-the-tooth bands: Nirvana, Pearl Jam. They’re old bands.”
He went on to say, however, that he did not feel all hope was lost. “That doesn’t mean there’s not new bands out there,” Simmons says. “As far as I’m concerned, if Lady Gaga dropped the disco and the pole dancing and all that stuff and put together a rock band, that would be legitimate, because she’s got the musical goods. She can write songs, play instruments and can actually sing. And she understands the fearless quality of spectacle. I’d love to see her do Queen-style music. She can do it. Madonna cannot.”
… “Rap will die,” he says. “Next year, 10 years from now, at some point, and then something else will come along. And all that is good and healthy.” Asked about EDM, Simmons says, “EDM is honest. EDM says, ‘Here’s a guy onstage who does f–k-all, he does nothing. He presses a button and puts his hands up in the air. He doesn’t pretend to be lip-syncing to a track.’ He has a light show and it’s an honest relationship.
My thing about the disco divas who get up onstage — and I love Jennifer Lopez and Ciara and Shakira and Madonna and all the girls with names that end in ‘a,’ they’re very talented in their own way — but it’s dishonest. They have a backing track. It’s really a karaoke bar. Karaoke is more honest, because you know it’s karaoke.'”
Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp celebrates its 20th anniversary with two amazing summer camps — rock icons Paul Stanley (KISS) along with Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles) June 23rd-26th and Judas Priest – “Vol. 2: Hell Bent For Hollywood” on August 4th-7th.
As headliners at Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp, attendees will jam and perform with Paul Stanley and members of Judas Priest at the Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp facility, as well as at the legendary Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. They will also jam with Don Felder and Mark Farner at the Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp facility on some of the biggest rock and roll songs in history.
Said Judas Priest in a statement, “We had such a blast last time with the fantasy camp, it’s time for an encore! Four of Judas Priest are primed to bang out some more metal adventures at this one of a kind experience!”
Over the course of four days, attendees will be placed into bands led by rock star counselors including Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake), Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath) and many more. Musicians will hone their stage presence, learn to play some of music’s greatest songs, get tips and hear stories of life on the road from their rock star counselors, attend master classes and jams rooms with these renowned musicians and then perform live with their band in front of a packed house at the infamous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip.
“To be part of Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp isn’t just a fantasy for the people who are here, it’s my fantasy too, it’s really a gift to me as much as anybody else,” said Paul Stanley.
For more than 30 years, Paul Stanley has reigned supreme as one of the single-most recognizable front men in the history of rock and roll. He continues to be the chief songwriter, driving force and unwavering voice of KISS.
Don Felder is renowned as a former lead guitarist of The Eagles, one of the most popular and influential rock groups of our time. A member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame since 1998, Felder served as a member of The Eagles for 27 years. Felder originated the music and co-wrote THE EAGLES’ biggest hit — the iconic, Grammy-winning smash Hotel California.
Also participating in the amazing experience will be former lead vocalist of the blues rock band Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner. With hits such as American Band, Some Kind of Wonderful and I’m Your Captain. Grand Funk Railroad has sold millions of records throughout their career.
Judas Priest has sold over 45 million albums to date. MTV ranked them the second greatest metal band of all time. This hard and heavy camp features four members of Judas Priest, including vocalist Rob Halford, bassist Ian Hill, guitarist Richie Faulkner and drummer Scott Travis.
“Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp is where adults come to live their rock and roll dreams and jam with their musical heroes, and where our Jr. rockers come to begin their rock and roll dreams,” said David Fishof, owner of Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp. “The camp is open to all levels of musicians, vocalists, from beginners to expert. There is a spot in a band for everyone.”
Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp is a non-competitive atmosphere designed for all levels of musicians and music enthusiasts. Participants are placed in bands with like-minded people and skill level to make for an off-the-charts experience.
For additional information, go to rockcamp.com or 888-762-BAND.
Ritchie Blackmore has released an official band photo (see above) of his Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, whom are scheduled to play at two Monsters Of Rock festivals in Germany on June 17th and 18th and one UK show on June 25th in England at Birmingham Genting Arena.
Blackmore explained that he picked this lineup because “the whole idea was to find good musicians. Of course, there were many familiar names around, but this idea didn’t appeal to me. Unlike many others, I prefer to discover new musicians who can add a fresh approach to my music. It’s great to present new musicians to the public.”
He also added that the band might add more shows “if we enjoy ourselves and the audience gives us a positive vibe back…But the crucial factor will be the chemistry between the musicians and the audience reaction.”
AC/DC singer Brian Johnson was “kicked to the curb” according to Johnson’s friend and comedian Jim Breuer, after the 67-year-old frontman informed band co-founder Angus Young of his hearing condition, reports CantonRep.com.
Breuer informed listeners of AC/DC’s situation via his podcast, The Metal In Me, after recently spending time with Johnson following his March 11th show at Sarasota Florida’s McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre.
“(Brian) said that he called and let (AC/DC and Young) know, ‘Hey this is what the doctor said, but let’s try to figure this out. I don’t think it’s as bad as he said it is.’ Literally the next day in the press, it was ‘Brian Johnson, tour canceled, he’s losing his hearing.’ ”
According to Breuer, Johnson was optimistic about making up the dates on the band’s current U.S. tour and finishing as many remaining dates on the AC/DC itinerary as possible. Then his tour luggage showed up on his driveway.
“(Brian said) ‘I would really like to finish and do some shows. I think we can knock this out.’ ” Breuer continued. “Then all his luggage that he toured with showed up at his driveway. There’s been no calls. No, ‘How’s your hearing? How’s your health?’ Boom. Here’s your (stuff), nice to know you.”
According to the band’s website, Johnson was “advised by doctors to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss.” The press release went on to state the remaining 10 U.S. dates of the band’s current Rock or Bust tour would be rescheduled later in the year and “likely with a guest vocalist.”
Breuer explained that Johnson’s doctor informed the singer that he had lost a percentage of his hearing during the first run of the Rock or Bust tour during “open air” stadium shows, and it raised a “red flag” for the band’s eldest statesman.
“(The doctor said) ’Now you’re gonna go out and do indoor (shows)? I do not put my name on this. You’re a grown man. You make a decision, but I would not mess around with this at all,’ ” Breuer explained of the doctor’s diagnosis.
Johnson, who recently flew to London to attend the funeral of a close friend while on the road with the band, called AC/DC management and later spoke to Young to explain the situation.
“He said he just called and gave that information,” Breuer said. “He didn’t say he wanted to quit. He didn’t say he was done. He called with that information, and two days later, he read in the papers and heard on Twitter and everywhere else, ‘Brian Johnson going deaf canceling tour.’ A day later, and it was ‘Oh we’re gonna have guest singers.’ ”
Breuer said Johnson wasn’t upset about his hearing condition. He was heartbroken by the way he had been treated by the band he has fronted for 36 years.
…“I went over the house,” Breuer said. “He was depressed. I’ve never seen him down before. He was upset that he feels like he kind of got kicked to the curb.”
“I said, ‘Don’t you talk to the band?’ ” Breuer continued. “He goes, ‘It’s not what you think, man.’ ”
“I can’t wrap my head around that,” Breuer said.
Johnson had a conversation with Young, albeit mostly one-sided, the day Breuer visited his home.
“(Brian) said, ‘I had a conversation with Angus,’ and he was just like, ‘He doesn’t speak. He doesn’t speak,’ “ Breuer explained.
As Johnson relayed his situation to Young and hoped to plan a future course of action, the guitarist merely replied, “Aye,” a number of times with no tangible response to what the singer was saying.
“(Brian said) ‘It sounds like you’re preoccupied. I just want to let you know, I’m here. I don’t know if I can do every show, but I’d really like to do whatever shows I can.’ ”
Breuer said Johnson senses he’s already been replaced.
“There’s been no answer (from the band),” Breuer said. “He feels like he heard from someone that they already hired somebody, it just hasn’t been announced yet.”
“I was like, ‘Brian, Angus is a monstrosity, but guess what? I’m watching you half the time as well. You are the face of the band with the hat and the way you sing. I think of AC/DC, and I think of you and Angus,’ ” Breuer told his friend.
“No offense to anyone else in the band, but I just think of Brian Johnson and Angus. I don’t think he believes that to a degree. It was a little weird hearing him talk like that.”
He always says, ‘I’m blessed, I’m blessed. Don’t get me wrong. I’m blessed. This is the greatest thing ever.’ But I don’t think (he feels like he’s part of the band). His wife talks with such pride. I don’t think he feels that he’s that important. Does that make sense? It’s really weird.”
…“I’d hate to see (AC/DC) end like that,” he said. “Nobody wants to see them continue with a new guy. Why would you want to see them continue? Go out on top. Just take a break and go, ‘How do we want to do this?’ ”
…(Brian) explained how Angus is the youngest guy in the band,” Breuer said. “He’s convinced Angus wants to continue the next 10 years whether it’s him or not. (Angus) wants to write another album and do one more tour. Who’s filling those shoes? How do you do that after 40 years? It’s just really weird.”
Due to overwhelming fan demand which caused an immediate sell-out of tickets for their concert on May 7th, Chickenfoot today announced that they’ve added a second show on May 8th at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. The concerts, taking place over Cinco de Mayo weekend, mark the supergroup’s first reunion shows in more than six years.
Featuring Joe Satriani (guitar), Chad Smith (drums), Michael Anthony (bass) and Sammy Hagar (vocals), the band which Billboard called “a rare case of a group that’s equal to – or perhaps even greater than – the sum of its parts” plans to rock Tahoe with hits from Chickenfoot and Chickenfoot III including Sexy Little Thing, Big Foot, Oh Yeah and many more.
Tickets for newly added show on May 8th will go on sale Friday, March 18th at 10:00 AM PST through ticketmaster.com. Tickets for their show on May 7th are sold out.
Fans will have an opportunity to get advance tickets during the pre-sale beginning Tuesday, March 15 at 10:00 AM PST. Get your tickets using the pre-sale code FOOTSOLDIER at ticketmaster.com. Visit chickenfoot.us for complete ticket information.
Cinderella bassist Eric Brittingham was recently interviewed on the Talk Toomey podcast where he discussed the future of the band. Excerpts from the interview appear below, as transcribed by blabbermouth.net.
On the future of Cinderella:
“That is the big question. It’s, like, what are we doing? It’s been four years now that Tom’s [Keifer, (frontman)] been on his own. I don’t think he’s coming back. So that’s probably the big question. I guess that’s the big question that I have: what are we doing? ‘Cause we’re not making any new music [and] he is, so I guess that’s probably the answer right there.”
…It went from just doing, like, whatever just to fill the time. [I thought] ‘[Tom’s] solo record’s coming out, so I guess we’re not touring this year. I guess we’ll do it next year.’ And here’s four years later, and it’s, like, okay, I’m still kind of playing… I’m playing in four different freakin’ projects at the moment — I’ve got a residency, I’ve got a southern rock thing, I’ve got an original thing, a power-trio thing I’m doing… It’s, like, I’m just making my ends meet.”
…If [Tom] wants to do a tour [with CINDERELLA], I’m in. I’m glad that I didn’t hold my breath. I’d be blue now. [Laughs] Like I said, Tom’s having fun doing what he’s doing, so I guess, all in all, I’m looking to do something more permanent, I guess, too. I don’t know what that would be, but… We’ll see. If any bands are out there that are looking for a permanent bass player, apparently I am free. [Laughs]”
Tom Keifer released his solo album, The Way Life Goes, on April 30th, 2013. Cinderella’s last release was 1994’s, Still Climbing.