Archive for August, 2010
Last night had to be the first time Jimmy Fallon ever heard an entire Slayer song. That is, if he didn’t run backstage and hide behind ?uestlove after the introduction. (Okay, testosterone posturing aside, much love to Jimmy for having, as he says, “one of the most legendary metal bands of all time” on his show).
In New York for two Tri-State-area stops on the American Carnage Tour, which also features Testament and Megadeth (tonight in upstate Glen Falls, N.Y. and tomorrow at New Jersey’s Izod Center), Slayer performed “Hate Worldwide,” one of the scorchers from their latest record, World Painted Blood.
To read the complete article and more videos visit ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
No matter what you think of Black Label Society’s music, you have to admire just how brilliantly the band has been able to build a fanbase. Led by the towering, bearded guitar ace Zakk Wylde, the band benefited immensely from his 20-odd-year gig as Ozzy Osbourne’s sideman by continually being given prime spots on the OzzFest bill over the years, but that was one of several key factors. The music, while nothing really to write home about, was nevertheless a swaggering blend of Southern rock, the shred-tastic heavy metal of the 1980s, and the tuned-down sludge of 1990s acts like Alice in Chains, Down, and Crowbar, a perfect backdrop for the Viking-esque virtuoso to let loose with his fleet-fingered fretwork and trademark pinch squeals.
Better yet, though, was the image. Drawing heavily from the aesthetics of the Hell’s Angels, Wylde played up the biker shtick masterfully, from the leather jackets, to the iconic insignia, to the camaraderie amongst fans, who consider themselves to be very much the metal equivalent of the “1%-ers” that the Angels proudly claim to be. Safe, middle of the road heavy music, the backing of one of the most powerful management teams in all of rock music, savvy marketing have steadily built Black Label Society to the point where they are now an undeniable force. They sell records, they draw big crowds, and they do bang-up merchandise sales wherever they go. It’s a position that any other metal/hard rock band would kill to be in.
To hear some new tunes visit MYSPACE
To read the complete review visit POP MATTERS
There is much to do and see and eat and smell at Lollapalooza, a seemingly endless expanse of diverse attractions and concessions smacked improbably in the center of a major metropolis that offers surprises at every turn. Or, you can park your keester in one spot all day and let the entertainment come to you. Welcome to Lazypalooza.
The Sony Bloggie stage seemed to have the best potential for a sedentary Saturday afternoon — it’s in a relatively lush corner of Grant Park and had bands we wanted to see anyway. Plus, it’s fun to say “Bloggie.”
1:03 PM: With two albums called Free Drugs and Hippies, the Austin, Texas trio Harlem are perfectly engineered for festival work. Good humor, bare-bones Nuggets-y garage rock, constant energy as singers Michael Coomers and Curtis O’Hara switch off between guitar and drums. Despite the obscenely early (for young rock bands, anyway) hour, nothing sounded any more shambling than it was designed to, yet the band cut their set short one song, followed by Coomers tweeting, “That sucked.” Not sure what the problem was, looked like good, ragged fun to me.
1:48 PM: Grant Park has some drainage issues. All of Chicago’s mosquitoes are also spending their Lazypalooza at the Sony Bloggie stage.
1:50 PM: Does leaving the immediate premises to get a giant pulled pork sandwich and chocolate cream pie milkshake constitute a violation of Lazypalooza restrictions? Hoping not.
2:16 PM: Lollapalooza is kind of a sausage party, and that’s only partially because of Chicago’s fine tradition of hot dog and bratwurst stands. One of the few, if not the only band here with an all-female lineup, L.A.’s Warpaint draw out heavy-psych jams that don’t sound much like the Black Crowes album of the same name. Actress Shannyn Sossaman used to play drums, and her sister Jenny Lindberg is still the singer-bassist. The more you know!
To read the complete article visit SPIN
Footage shot by Kenny Howell
After a brief break from their worldwide touring schedule, Dropkick Murphys will hit the road again this week for U.S. dates in Reno (August 5) and Las Vegas (August 6) and a stint on the Vans Warped Tour from August 7-15.
Dropkick Murphys–Ken Casey (vocals, bass guitar), Al Barr (vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, backing vocals), James Lynch (guitar, backing vocals), Tim Brennan (guitar, accordion, piano, backing vocals), Jeff DaRosa (mandolin, accordion, banjo, bouzouki, tin whistle, acoustic guitar) and Scruffy Wallace (bagpipes)–are touring in support of their Live On Lansdowne, Boston MA CD/DVD (Born & Bred Records/ILG), which captures the intensity and camaraderie of 2009’s sold-out St. Patrick’s Day week hometown shows in Boston. Following in the tradition of 2002’s Live On St. Patrick’s Day From Boston MA–which has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide–Live On Lansdowne features an entirely different 20-song set list, including the group’s platinum-selling single “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.”
In other news, Dropkick Murphys continue their work with The Claddagh Fund (www.claddaghfund.org), the charity established by DKM founding member Ken Casey in support of non-profits that champion the causes of children, veterans and those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. The First Annual Claddagh Fund Celebrity Golf Tournament co-hosted by NHL Hall Of Famer Bobby Orr will take place September 10 in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Play is offered at two incredible courses: The Golf Club of Cape Cod and Ballymeade Country Club, with an awards reception dinner to follow with prizes, an auction, and a shoot out finale with the top shooters from both courses. Ken Casey and co-host Bobby Orr will be joined by additional celebrity guests at the event which will raise money for The Claddagh Fund.
For tour dates visit DROPKICK MURPHYS
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