W.A.S.P. mainman Blackie Lawless came to the defense of THE WHO guitarist Pete Townshend during an interview conducted last Friday (Jan. 17) with EletricBasement.com, saying that the latter's decision to download pornographic images of children over the Internet could have been perfectly justified. "When somebody's had a problem in their childhood past, no matter what ...
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DEF LEPPARD and THIN LIZZY are in talks to tour North America together beginning in late February. Although no official announcement has yet been made on the matter, it is understood that the drummer slot in THIN LIZZY for the duration of the trek will likely be filled by either Rod Morgenstein (DIXIE DREGS, WINGER) ...
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PANTERA's Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, OZZY OSBOURNE/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Zakk Wylde, MÖTLEY CRÜE's Nikki Sixx, ex-GUNS N' ROSES members Duff McKagan and Slash, and members of DISTURBED attended the Hard Rock Vault grand opening on Thursday, Jan. 16 in Orlando, Florida. The Vault is a ...
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From the desk of Olympic Records: Recently, conflicting press releases were issued regarding Tampa, Florida's DIABOLIC. Aside from the news posted at the official DIABOLIC web site (http://www.diabolicblastmasters.com) no press releases or news updates were seen or approved of by DIABOLIC'S record label or distributor. Unfortunately, due to the unofficial nature of the press releases, ...
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More changes have taken place in the DIABOLIC camp since our last update. It now appears that DIABOLIC founding members Aantar Lee Coates (drums), Paul Ouellette (vocals/bass), and Jerry Mortellaro (guitar) have decided to branch off and form a brand new band called UNHOLY GHOST, thereby allowing guitarist Brian Malone to carry on ...
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Contrary to a recent press release issued by guitarist Brian Malone, Florida death metallers DIABOLIC have not parted ways with drummer Aantar Lee Coates and are instead pressing forward without the contributions of Malone, who is said to have been asked to leave the group shortly after the completion of their recent European ...
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Florida death metal act DIABOLIC have parted ways with drummer Aantar Coates shortly after the completion of their recent European tour. The following is the group's official statement on the matter: "DIABOLIC has returned from their first European tour accompanied by a bittersweet sense of success. Even though DIABOLIC's overall experience in Europe was excellent, ...
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Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash, ex-DAVID LEE ROTH/WHITESNAKE axeman Steve Vai and QUEEN's Brian May are among the guest musicians appearing on YARDBIRDS' "Birdland", the group's first new studio album since 1967. The album, which was recorded primarily at Vai's Mothership studio in Los Angeles, features Vai on a newly recorded version of the ...
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Brian Johnson, frontman for the Australian rock legends AC/DC, recently admitted that he was less than impressed with the latest effort from DEF LEPPARD — a band whose musical output he had previously appreciated and whose career he had followed with interest as a fan and as a friend. "I know Joe [Elliott] from DEF ...
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CREED frontman Scott Stapp was reportedly "high out of his mind and could not sing" at the band's Chicago show at Allstate arena Sunday night (Dec. 29), nearly falling down numerous times during the performance. A CREED fan writes on the Creed Pit message board, "As soon as Stapp STAGGERED on to stage it was ...
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PROFESSIONAL MURDER MUSIC are seeking a permanent replacement for guitarist Brian Harrah, who left the group several months ago. Interested parties can write to [email protected] for more info. In the meantime, the group are continuing work on their new studio album, which is expected to surface through the band's own label in early 2003. A ...
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Former NEUROTICA frontman Kelly Shaefer remains one of the top candidates to fill the vacant singer slot in the new band formed by ex-GUNS N' ROSES members Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum. "Slash called me about three weeks ago and told me I was still in the top three, and to just ...
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Former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar will be performing at New George's nightclub at 842-4th St. in San Rafael, California on Monday, Dec. 23. At 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show, $25.00 gift certificates, toys, clothing and donations will be accepted in exchange for a ticket to the show on that evening. The ...
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SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM, the new band featuring Scott Rockenfield (drums, QUEENSRŸCHE), Kelly Gray (guitars, ex-QUEENSRŸCHE), Damon Johnson (guitars, BROTHER CANE), Roman Glick (bass, BROTHER CANE) and Scotty Heard (vocals, SWEATY NIPPLES), will be going back into the studio in January to begin work on their sophomore CD. A late spring release is expected. ...
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VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony joined ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar and THE WABORITAS on stage Friday morning (Dec. 13) at the "2002 Mark & Brian Christmas Show", ripping through supercharged versions of "Top Of the World", "Best of Both Worlds" and "Mas Tequila", the latter featuring Michael and Mona sharing bass duties. "The show ...
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JANE'S ADDICTION are completing work on their new studio album, "Hypersonic", for an early summer release via Warner Bros. Records. The CD, the band's first proper studio set since 1990's "Ritual de lo Habitual", is being produced by Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, LOU REED) at Henson Recording (formerly known as A&M Studios) in Los ...
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ARMORED SAINT and Metal Blade Records will be releasing a DVD version of the band's home video, "A Trip Thru Red Times", in February. Included on the DVD will be extra videos, an interview conducted this past September, an "old-school" photo gallery, plus the added feature of a 5.1 surround mix. The band, who are ...
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Reunited NWOBHM legends DIAMOND HEAD have finished tracking their first full album of new songs since 1993's "Death & Progress" and are currently mixing the effort with producer Andrew Scarth for a tentative spring 2003 release. The as-yet-untitled CD, which was recorded at Mad Hat Studios near Wolverhampton, England, will reportedly contain "lots of 'Heavy ...
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The Danish "hybrid metal" act MNEMIC, featuring INVOCATOR session drummer Brian Rasmussen and ex-MERCENARY guitarist Mircea G. Eftemie, have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band will enter AntFarm studio with producer Tue Madsen in March 2003 to record their debut album, due in the summer. In other news, MNEMIC will be embarking ...
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Last night's season premiere of MTV's "The Osbournes" drew 6.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched cable broadcast of the night, the music channel said Wednesday. Tuesday's ratings were up 84 percent compared to the first season's premiere, and viewership rivaled that of the highest-rated episode last season. "'The Osbournes' juggernaut shows little signs of ...
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Rockford, Illinois-based quartet THE HEAVILS have signed a deal with Metal Blade Records. The group's debut album for the label is expected to surface in early 2003. Commented guitarist Mossy: "As far as signing with Metal Blade, it is a label we grew up with. Anything Metal Blade had was cool and they have a ...
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FU MANCHU have announced two shows in California during December. They will be performing at The Casbah in San Diego on Friday, Dec. 13, and at the Detroit Bar in Orange County on Saturday, Dec. 14. In other news, the band will enter the studio with producer/engineer Brian Joseph Dobbs (MANMADEGOD, ECHOBRAIN) on Dec. 2 ...
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TED NUGENT is reportedly considering a bid for the governor of Michigan in 2006. Following the recent election of Jennifer Granholm as Michigan governor, radio station WOOD-AM in Grand Rapids asked its listeners who they'd like to see oppose her in four years. The survey is still going on, but Nugent has been named in ...
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Metal Blade Records CEO Brian Slagel will participate in a live chat via America Online on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 9:00 p.m. Metal Blade, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, has gained widespread notability as the launching pad for the careers of such bands as METALLICA, SLAYER and even GOO GOO DOLLS. To ...
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Florida death metal band DIABOLIC has parted ways with guitarist Jerry Mortellaro and has replaced him with Eric Hersemann of Chicago's LORD BLASPHEMER. "Eric is an extremely talented professional that will complement perfectly the new solidified DIABOLIC line-up," said guitarist Brian Malone. The revamped group — also featuring COFFIN TEXTS frontman Robert Cardenas — will ...
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SLAVE TO THE SYSTEM, featuring Scott Rockenfield (drums, QUEENSRŸCHE), Kelly Gray (guitars, ex-QUEENSRŸCHE), Damon Johnson (guitars, BROTHER CANE), Roman Glick (bass, BROTHER CANE) and Scotty Heard (vocals, SWEATY NIPPLES), has announced a show at Rocksport Bar & Grill in Seattle, Washington on Saturday, Dec. 14. ...
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"The Osbournes", the hit MTV show about Ozzy Osbourne and his family, could return to MTV with its second season as early as November. MTV President Brian Graden says "all systems are go" for the show, which is expected to feature Sharon Osbourne's battle against cancer as she undergoes chemotherapy sessions. However, the network may ...
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Guitarist Ace Frehley is expected to complete the original KISS lineup at the Kiss Symphony concert, which will feature KISS hits performed with the 60-piece Melbourne Symphony. Frehley, who had touring commitments in America, was nowhere to be seen at a media conference to announce the event, which takes place at Melbourne, Australia's Telstra Dome ...
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QUEEN guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor will be performing in Los Angeles tonight at a special Fan Club party to celebrate their induction to the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. The duo will be joined by regular QUEEN guest musicians Chris Thompson and Spike Edney, plus various special guests, including singers Jeff Scott Soto ...
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PAPA ROACH, ONE MINUTE SILENCE and FUGAZI are among the bands who have voiced their opposition to the possibility of the UK and US waging war on Iraq. Speaking to Kerrang.com, PAPA ROACH vocalist Jacoby Shaddix said: "I am not a supporter of the war. I don't believe in war in general. My father went ...
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