Mötorhead’s Phil Campbell Recovers
Mötorhead came rocking back again on Tuesday night at their scheduled show in Gothenberg, Sweden. They had cancelled three European shows last week due to undisclosed health issues with guitarist Phil Campbell.
Their Facebook post says: “Gothenburg rocked it, Motörhead rocked it, Philip Anthony Campbell double rocked it and the tour is alive and kicking teeth and ears in again! Photos to follow soon…
“For ALL members of the media who engage in the modern-age bloodsport of celebrity death-watch-by-internet-rumour-spreading, we hope you feel the shame and shoddiness of your ‘work’. ”
Scorpions Rock Paris After Attacks
After the recent terror attacks in Paris, the Scorpions were one of the first international bands to play live in the City of Lights.
The show at the sold-out Bercy Arena produced emotional moments, including when drummer James Kottak beat the rhythm of the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” which the crowd then sang a capella. In 1984, the Scorpions inaugurated the concert hall in Bercy.
Singer Klaus Meine told the audience of close to 20,000 that the band had come to Paris to put on a celebration of peace and freedom. “Our France tour is overshadowed by these sad and terrible events.”
However, it was important to make the point that life goes on in the aftermath of the attacks, Meine said. “It’s a rock show. We simply want to have a wicked night with our fans and make a statement in favour of life.”
Check out an interview with guitarist Rudolph Schenker, and fan-filmed video of the gig, here.
Styx & REO Speedwagon Make $25,000 Donation for Victims of Paris Attacks
Rock to the Rescue, the nonprofit organization founded by Styx and REO Speedwagon, will be making a $25,000 donation to the Sweet Stuff Foundation to help those families directly affected by the terrorist attacks in Paris.
In honor of the musicians and crew who lost their lives in the attack at The Bataclan concert venue, from now until December 31, Sweet Stuff is dedicating all money received to the surviving families of those who passed away, including that of the Eagles of Death Metal’s merchandise manager, Nick Alexander. The Sweet Stuff Foundation was founded by Queens of the Stone Age’s, Josh Homme, who is also a key recording member of Eagles of Death Metal. (Homme was not with the band in Paris when the attacks occurred.)
“We feel terribly saddened and outraged by these attacks,” says Styx guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw. “We hope that our contribution will help ease some of the pain and some of the expenses of what this means to the families as they go through the process of grieving and bringing their loved ones home. Josh and the band lost a crew member and employees of their record label, Universal, during the terrorist attacks. This hits home for us because we’re also on the same label, and we deeply love our employees and our crew. Our hearts, minds, and prayers are with all the victims, and we urge all fans of Styx, Eagles of Death Metal, and classic rock who feel touched by this to join us in contributing. Thank you from everyone in the Styx family for your compassion.”
Here’s what you can do to help.
To donate, go here: https://www.thesweetstufffoundation.org/donate/
To learn more about the Sweet Stuff Foundation, go here: https://www.thesweetstufffoundation.org/
To learn more about Rock to the Rescue, go here: http://rocktotherescue.net/
In the Studio & On The Road
GUNS N’ ROSES Rumored To Be Announced As Reading Festival Headliners
According to the UK’s Bristol Post, the first announcement of acts playing next year’s Reading Festival will be announced Friday, December 4, with Guns N’ Roses expected to be on the bill. Rumor has it that the band will play with their original line-up at the event.
Note that this is only a rumor for now. Stay tuned to DailyHeadbanger.com for updates.
Judas Priest to Start Work on New Album in 2016
Judas Priest Guitarist Richie Faulkner said during a recent interview with Reverb, “We’re looking at maybe next year going into the studio again and putting down some ideas and seeing what we’ll come up with.”
“We don’t know what direction it’s going to take yet. Is it going to be a classic Priest record? Is it going to be a pioneering record, which Priest were famous for back in the day? They pushed the boundaries of heavy metal. That’s why they’re pioneers,” Faulkner pointed out. “We don’t know. We’ve got to follow up the quality and standard of Redeemer of Souls. It will be exciting to get back into the studio next year and see what happens.”
Steven Tyler – Solo Dates Scheduled
Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler will perform at the Niagara Fallsview Casino on March 29 and March 31.
He will join new country-rock band Loving Mary at the Avalon Ballroom and will perform new versions of Aerosmith classics like “Dream On” and “Janie’s Got A Gun.” Tickets will go on sale Friday, December 4.
Tyler told ABC News Radio that he’s hoping to release his first solo album by “February or so” of 2016, and is planning to support it with a tour before heading out on an Aerosmith trek later in the year. As for just how “country” the material on the upcoming album will be, Tyler explains that the project is still taking shape, so he isn’t quite sure.
KISS “UnMasked and UnPlugged”
KISS will perform a special acoustic show, “UnMasked and UnPlugged,” at the Badlands in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on February 11, 2016. Tickets are on sale right now.
According to the San Bernardino County Sun, KISS previously played at the same casino in April last year, an event that was billed as a no-makeup, stripped-down show featuring “stories and songs.”
Asked by The Press-Enterprise why KISS decided to bring the acoustic and storytelling-style show back to San Manuel this year, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons said: “We enjoyed it. Like all things that we do, we do it only if we want to. Sometimes it takes a lot of work. Sometimes it’s just seamless. Like when we do the KISS cruises, it’s a lot of work. You’re talking, making sure every person gets personalized signed stuff, pose for photos with every person and do a few shows. Playing at your place [San Manuel] is seamless. You sort of get up and it feels like somebody’s in your living room, compared to the stadiums we play in. It’s easy and we get a chance to not worry about the pyrotechnics and technical stuff. It feels informal.”
Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain To Perform At Rock N Roll Ribs
The McBrainiacs, the band featuring Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, will perform December 5 at the 6th anniversary celebration for Rock N Roll Ribs in Coral Springs, Florida, the barbecue restaurant owned by McBrain and close friend Mitch Tanne.
A BBQ joint with a musical theme, Rock N Roll Ribs showcases its love for smokey Southern cooking with food like barbecued pork and chicken and clever takes on Iron Maiden songs, like “Run to the Hills” wings.
More information is posted on Facebook, here.
David Lee Roth’s Reunion With His “Eat ‘Em And Smile” Band Canceled
The reunion at the Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood of David Lee Roth and his band from his debut solo album, “Eat ‘Em And Smile,” was canceled at the last minute on November 25 by the fire marshal.
The show would have marked the first time in 30 years that Roth joined guitar hero Steve Vai, bass legend Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big), drummer Greg Bissonette (Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band), and keyboardist Brett Tuggle to perform some of the hits from the classic LP. Also scheduled to join the band on stage was Steel Panther vocalist Ralph Saenz (aka Michael Starr).
Video footage of a disappointed Roth leaving the venue can be seen here.
Roth, whose appearance last night was not officially announced prior to the gig, can be heard telling the bystanders: “I apologize about this evening. It looks like we were too popular.” He added that he and his “Eat ‘Em And Smile” bandmates would try to find another venue to stage the reunion. “Should we go to the Hollywood Palladium, maybe?” he can be heard asking the fans.
For Your Heavy Metal Xmas Shopping List
Metallica Guitarist Kirk Hammett Unveils “Extremely Limited” Nosferatu Guitar
Here’s something for that extra special metal guitarist on your Xmas list.
“Nosferatu has arisen, and now you can take him home to create your own Symphony of Horror!”, says Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett.
Hammett this week announced an extremely limited number – just 13 – of very special Nosferatu guitar packages. Each package costs $2400 and includes the custom guitar hand numbered and signed by Kirk, a photo of Kirk with your actual guitar, and more goodies.
Unauthorized Biography Of Rob Zombie Now Available
Joel McIver, the U.K.-based author of biographies of Metallica, Slayer, Black Sabbath, Queens of the Stone Age, Machine Head and many other artists, has released an unauthorized biography of Rob Zombie via Backbeat Books.
Says the publisher, “Sinister Urge: The Life And Times Of Rob Zombie” is the first in-depth, career-spanning biography of heavy-metal musician and filmmaker Rob Zombie. Born Robert Cummings in 1965, Zombie is now as well known for his movies as he is for his music, which he has released and performed both as a solo artist and as part of his early band White Zombie. In both fields, he imbues his art with the vivid sense of macabre theater that has thrilled his millions of disciples since he and his band first emerged with “Soul-Crusher” in 1987.”
MetalHeads Say The Damnedest Things!
“These kinds of bands aren’t selling arenas like the good old days that I love and you love, and so bands primarily rely on touring and selling merchandise. And because album sales aren’t what they used to be and bands have to rely on touring, how do you get people…? I mean, if you don’t hear our songs on the radio as much, how do you get people to know about you?
“It seems there’s a slight bit of entitlement, almost, by some fans. Like, ‘I commented on your thing, and you didn’t answer me back. Why don’t you answer me?’ And it’s, like, I’m the only one that runs my [Facebook] page. If anybody likes or says anything, it is me. But I can’t get to everybody all the time. There’s like, ‘You owe me, because I liked your page.’”
~ Queensrÿche singer Todd La Torre recently interviewed by Straus Project, when asked about the importance of artists engaging with their fans via social media due to diminishing music sales in the streaming age.