Category : TRUNK REPORT

6/29: PRIEST, DICKINSON, METALLICA, PANTHER, MUCH MORE.

Two big stories this week swirling around the metal scene and they both revolve around Judas Priest. First the item on Bruce Dickinson and his comments on Halford and Metallica (see the story in the news section on this site). I don’t agree with Bruce and his criticism of Halford for using a prompter if indeed he does. Honestly who cares? If it doesn’t impact the show what’s the difference? Most artists that use prompters (and many do), rarely use them. They are there as a safety in case they lose their place in the song. Axl, Steven Tyler and many others use them. But I have stood on stage while both of these guys perform and they run all over the place and rarely look at it unless they forget where they are for a second. Not a huge deal. As for Bruce’s feeling that Maiden is better than Metallica that is simply opinion, and what would you expect him to say about his own band? Of course he will think that! But this all speaks to a bigger issue that is a huge problem I think in today’s world. You see Bruce has always been an outspoken guy. In this super PC hyper sensitive world we are in where everyone is looking to pounce over an opinion or wrong choice of words I like people that speak their mind even if I don’t agree with it. I am a fan of Bill O’Reily and Bill Maher. Don’t agree with all that they both say but damn it is nice these days to have at least some people that aren’t afraid to say what they feel and not give answers from some pre prepped PR rep one sheet! It always amazes me when people hammer me non stop for my opinion on an album or band on Twitter and then when I give it honestly they start the hate campaign because it’s not the answer they wanted. Almost impossible to win these days. But honest opinions when asked are refreshing to me, even if I don’t agree with them. Doesn’t mean you hate the person or band or subject. It is just your opinion and if given in a respectful way everyone should be entitled to that. So as a result when anyone says anything remotely opinionated it gets blown up and becomes news, and I think that sucks. It will continue to discourage open dialogue and debate and make the media world we are in even more boring and predictable.

Along these same lines much debate about the announcement that Steel Panther will be opening act for Priest. Contrary to what many think I have no hate for Panther. I know the guys, nice people, talented, good at what they do. But what they do is parody. That can not be argued. Want proof? The bands albums chart on the comedy charts! It is an act that is a spoof on 80’s hard rock. It is stunning to me how many people don’t see that! They have had amazing success, especially in the UK and Europe. Good for them. They have worked hard to build this from their roots as a cover band playing weekly gigs in LA. But I will admit for me I would have much rather seen Priest take a “traditional” metal band. A new or old band with the same real core commitment and values to metal they have had. Think of how many bands are out there that could use the help? Last tour Priest had BLS and Thin Lizzy. When so many bands are out there looking to package up it feels like a bit of a lost opportunity to give an hour slot to a band that for the most part goofs on a scene that Priest was not really a part of, but had a huge amount of success during. I’m going to see Priest regardless of who is opening, and I wish both bands well on the tour, but I do feel that there were so many bands that would have been a better fit and compliment to the metal Gods. It just feels like a disconnect for me to see icons like Priest taking what is basically the modern day Spinal Tap on tour.  I mean who knows how many tours they have left in them at this stage of the game? The up side? Maybe Halford comes out and jams a Fight song with Russ AKA Satchel during the Panther set!? “Nailed To The Gun” anyone?

More on this plus Blitz from Overkill and members of Night Ranger in studio tomorrow live on SiriusXM 39 6-10P ET. TrunkNation!

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6/26: NEW ACCEPT VIDEO, BLITZ, NIGHT RANGER, ET BOX OFFICE, MORE.

Thanks to the guys in Accept for letting me premiere their video for “Stampede” from the new album Blind Rage on this site. If you haven’t seen it yet it’s right on the home page now. I’ve been listening to the album for a while and it is truly amazing how this band has been reborn with Mark Tornillo and the quality of the 3 albums that have made with him. Production, playing, vocals, songs, just classic Accept! Wolf Hoffman has to be one of metals most underrated guitarists. Hope you guys enjoy it and look forward to your comments. The band will be on my radio shows when schedules match up closer to the album release and the live date in NYC. There are more live dates TBA on the Fall also.

Hear new Accept as well as new Overkill and an interview with Tesla in my radio show this weekend. All outlets listed under live and on the air.

Ticket giveaways to local NYC area shows (and some times outside NYC) are now done on this site. Go to Live & On The Air tab and click ET Box Office for shows available and to register to enter. You will get an email a few days or so before each show if you are picked at random as a winner. Only enter for shows you truly want to attend. You can only win once every 30 days.

Live SiriusXM show this Monday 6-10P ET on Trunk Nation channel 39. Will represent both sides of my music world with Blitz of Overkill and Night Ranger in studio!

The Eddie Trunk Podcast launches 7/10… More soon.

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6/25: PODCAST UPDATE & RADIO SHOWS UPDATE

All new radio show this weekend for the syndicated Eddie Trunk Rocks program. This show now airs the same weekend on all radio stations so just check the listing on the Live & On the Air tab to find a station or stream near you. I’m also thrilled to announce the show is returning to Boston on WAAF in a couple weeks. More details soon but you will hear it there now on Friday nights 11P-2A. Great to have Boston back! This weekends show includes new music from Overkill, Accept and an interview with Tesla and much more. As usual on Q104.3 NYC 11P this Friday as well.

There will not be new episodes of TMS before October. All due to network budgets. When I have news will let you know. The gig at Thunder Valley Casino in Sacramento is a concert, NOT a TMS shoot. Thanks.

Live show Monday on SiriusXM 6-10P ET. Blitz from Overkill in studio. More soon.

The Eddie Trunk Podcast is coming 7/10! First guest and more TBA. It will be free and available via Itunes, Podcast One and other platforms as well. Please note the podcast will be all talk and no music. Podcasts are talk formats due to publishing clearance costs. Look forward to doing a wide variety of things with this platform and will answer your email on it as well from time to time.

Signed personalized copies of either of my books available here on this site. Just hit the Books tab and be sure to specify which book you are ordering. Thanks

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6/23: ROCKESHA DEBACLE AND GREAT GIG IN ELGIN IL

Just back from an interesting weekend in Waukesha WI and Elgin IL hosting two events that could not have been more different. The event Saturday called Rockesha was a debacle which has now been well documented. I have been doing this more than 30 years and what happened there was a first for me. It is not totally unheard of however so perhaps I have just been lucky. I must once again be 100% clear that I have absolutely nothing to do with any of the events I host. Like a band I am hired by promoters often through agents as a host to be there, make announcements, do meet & greets, etc. Contrary to what some assume I have nothing to do with who plays or how they are run. I had never worked with this promoter in the past and like the bands was hired through an agent to appear there. The bill consisted of Eric Martin, Firehouse, Lita Ford, Quiet Riot and Warrant and started around 4P. The weather was not great but not horrible. Light rain and drizzle mainly. First sign of trouble was when I arrived and just before I was to intro Eric some crew guys asked if I had been paid. Like the bands my deposit was paid. I usually don’t stress about when I get paid my balance as I have never had an issue in the past. Most bands however do not take the stage until their balance is paid and that is standard. Still despite the warnings I went on stage and introed Eric and said hello and Eric played his set. I briefly met the promoter when I first got there named Rob Lyons. He was stressing to say the least about the very light turn out and need for a walk up. Still I never thought what would happen would go down. Any promoter knows they assume complete risk when booking a show. The artists are paid the same guarantee regardless of how many show up. It’s simple math; cost of the show vs what is made in ticket sales. A promoter has a number he needs to sell to break even with the objective to sell more than that and make money. But in the event a show tanks all promoters know they must have the funds to cover the loss. A promoter often doesn’t know how his year will be until he sees how many winners and losers (and break evens) he had. I’ve never had a promoter not have the money on hand and need loans and walk up sales to try and pay balances to artists. And that is exactly what happened Saturday. After Eric finished Firehouse was next up, and they were not going on until their balance was payed. Again, this is standard in the business because never forget, it is called the music BUSINESS. When Rob had no funds and couldn’t come up with them the band left. Then Lita was up. She drove to the venue but same deal. No pay no play, and left. At this point maybe 2 hours went by with nothing happening on the stage and the promoter visibly upset and conflicted on what to do. He could not pay anyone, there was no real walk up ticket sales, and he had no ability to come up with anyone’s money. He sent a rep up on stage and told the crowd the show was cancelled. Quiet Riot and Warrant (outside of Robert Mason who sang with Eric one song) never made it to the gig at all from the hotel since word was out it wasn’t going to happen. For the most part the fans that were there, while upset, didn’t act out too much. A credit to them indeed since they had no idea (and still don’t) if they will get refunded and some traveled great distances. Everyone got screwed here and lost. I took on expense of a plane ticket, rental car and left a family vacation in NJ at the beach to be there.  Everyone took on expense and lost money. Just read a FB post from Rob who gave his story and took all the responsibility, as he stated himself, it begins and ends with the promoter here. I have emailed him and have not yet had a response and truly hope he does the right thing for all impacted. If you follow on Twitter you know I posted what went down as it happened. No need for BS reasons as to why this didn’t happen.  I will keep you all posted if/when I learn more.

Last night could not have been more different. The bill was Bret Michaels, Dee Snider and Tom Keifer. Nice setting in Elgin IL, pro set up backstage and on stage, great promoter and staff. Don’t mean to give so much less ink to this but it went the way a concert should go so no drama to report. Thanks to Ron Onesti and his staff for having me. Was good to see Dee and his solo band for the first time who even did some Widowmaker and covers as well. Tom sounded great and Bret closed with a fun set and had Dee and Tom join him for R&R All Night as a closer. Bret is the hardest working guy out there now and does some great things behind the scenes. He and his band were headed to Nebraska to help with tornado relief. Thanks to all the fans I met at both events this weekend. Sorry Rockesha was a disaster. Let’s hope he makes things right for everyone in the near future.

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6/19: GUITAR GODS, WAUKESHA, ELGIN IL, ET PODCAST, MORE.

Caught Yngwie Malmsteen this past Tuesday in NJ as the Guitar Gods tour rolled into Bergen PAC. Yngwie still brings it big time both as a player and performer. Band was great as well. Did an hour and forty minute set with all the “hits” as well as some cool jams. He also did a couple bluesy tunes which I really really liked. Yngwie is one of the all time shred kings no doubt, but I really love when he slows down a bit and gets a little more melodic. Just stunning after 30 years to still see this guy do what he does so well. I unfortunately missed Gary Hoey and Bumblefoot but did see them join the end jam on Deep Purple “Burn”. If you are into guitar playing amazing players no doubt! I posted photos on my twitter and Instagram.

Headed to WI and IL this weekend. Hosting Rockesha in Waukesha WI this Saturday and also a show in Elgin IL this Sunday. Details and links on my site. I am not sure what my availability will be yet for meet and greets at each event so please follow on Twitter @EddieTrunk if going and I will send updates as I get them in the day. I will be traveling with both of my books as well if you’d like to purchase one. See you this weekend if attending these shows.

My first ever podcast launches next month! “The Eddie Trunk Podcast” will be available via Podcast One and free on all the usual platforms worldwide. First one to post 7/10 and details on each weeks TBA. Excited to add this component to my outlets and look forward to doing some different stuff from time to time with the podcast as well. More details soon.

Both of my books still available directly from me and signed and personalized. Just hit the Books tab or banner on this site for order info.

Have a nice weekend all. I’m going back to unpacking boxes from my move. Ever tell you how much moving sucks….?

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6/16: TESLA LIVE IN STUDIO TODAY ON TRUNKNATION

Hope all the fellow Dads out there had a nice Father’s Day weekend. Off to NYC for a live radio show tonight 6-10P ET on SiriusXM channel 39 TRUNKNation (Hair Nation). Jeff, Frank and Brian from Tesla will join me live in studio. They should be in during the first hour. Plus your calls, requests and many giveaways. Join me for live music and talk that rocks!

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