This Week’s SHAZAM Winner!!
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METAL NEWS
Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider Teams Up with Criss Angel’s Charity with New Version of “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
Dee Snider is helping famed illusionist Criss Angel generate awareness and funding for his new charity by collaborating on a new video for “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” directed by Angel and set in the desert outside of Las Vegas.
Snider will sing the new variation of his hit song on September 12th, when Angel hosts his first Johnny Chrisstopher Charitable Foundation H.E.L.P. (Heal Every Life Possible) charity event at his Criss Angel Theater at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. The foundation is named for Angel’s 2-year-old son, who is currently in remission from a rare form of leukemia.
“We’ve known each other since the 1990s, and he was a strong proponent of mine for years,” said Angel. “We are both from Long Island, or as we like to think of it, ‘Strong Island,’ and his record publishing company gave me the rights to the song and it is our anthem for gratis. Dee was unbelievably generous with his time and participation.”
Donations and information about the show are here.
Dee Snider Says Heavy Metal Fans Will Hate His Upcoming Solo Album
Dee Snider will officially release his new solo album, We Are The Ones, on October 28. It is available now for pre-order via Amazon.
Speaking to Billboard about his upcoming “contemporary rock record,” Dee states: “We created an album that is think part Foo Fighters, part Imagine Dragons, part Thirty Seconds To Mars, forget anything from the past. Most of my heavy metal fans are gonna hate it; I’ve abandoned my past to move forward.”
Snider is making the new album with producer Damon Ranger (Kanye West, Smashing Pumpkins). He’s launched a PledgeMusic campaign — a first for Snider — to finance it. Those who donate can get several prizes, including a Lego model of Dee Snider, available in “Old Dee” and “New Dee” models (as he puts it) for $95, an outgoing voicemail/personalized message MP4 recording for $150, and dinner with Dee and Damon at one of their favorite LA restaurants for a mere $625. Mega fans/big spenders can snap up the “Full Band Live Performance” for just $100K.
Snider says the one song that shaped the sound of this record is “We Are The Ones,” which is the title track from the album. Thematically, Damon says, “It’s the message of Dee Snider fighting back and rebellion… it’s believing in yourself. The “We’re Not Gonna Take It” message is eternal and that should continue on.”
When asked by Billboard if there was a song, on this album, that will be the political anthem you’ll be telling people not to use, he said, “It’ll be ‘Rule The World,’ it’s the first single, it’s sort of a ‘We Are The Champions,’ it’s a very big studio anthem. When you hear it it’s the kind of thing you can totally see Super Bowl time, the whole stadium lit up and it’s an uplifting song about, ‘With hands held high, we can rule the world.’ It’s basically about everybody just joining together with love and peace, real positive. And I can just see some politico sinking his teeth in who’s got none of the right credentials.”
Lemmy Statue Unveiled at Rainbow Bar & Grill
Lemmy’s bronze sculpture was unveiled on the back patio, now dubbed the “Lemmy Lounge,” at the rock and metal icon’s favorite haunt, the Rainbow Bar & Grill, in Los Angeles on August 24. Fans and friends contributed to a fundraising campaign for the statue following Lemmy’s death in December that gained 10,000 signatures and raised $22,771.
Artist Travis Moore, who created the 6-foot, 300-pound, life-like bronze statue of Lemmy said, “We just wanted to stay away from portraying him in a way that wouldn’t be proper, and he needed to be rocking, a tough looking dude with a full face and that was the idea.”
Among the honored guests at the statue unveiling were Motörhead’s manager Todd Singerman, the Rainbow’s Maglieri family, statue artist Travis Moore, Lemmy’s longtime girlfriend Cheryl, his longtime boot maker Pascal and Wendy Dio—whose Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund founded by her late husband Ronnie James Dio received some of the excess money raised for the creation of the statue.
Said Moore, “There was initially some debate about would he be with a guitar? Would he be sitting at the bar? Would he have a bottle of booze? There were a lot of different options and coincidentally, even the photo that Robert took, he’s standing there smoking a cigarette. We took that out, more of a liability reason, because someone could break that joker off or get caught on that. […] But there was a lot of consideration that went into this thing and everyone involved, their number one focus was honoring Lemmy.”
Slipknot’s Corey Taylor Almost Paralyzed by Spinal Problem
In a new interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Corey said “I am one of the luckiest people on this entire planet,” he begins. “Beat the odds, got to do exactly what I wanted to do with my life, and I have been able to do it professionally for almost 18 years. I have beautiful kids, I have a wonderful wife, I have family I would lay down in traffic for, and there doesn’t seem to be a ceiling for what I am able to do. I also beat the odds with spinal surgery. If I hadn’t caught it, I would be paralyzed. The doctor told me that not too long ago, which scared the crap out of me.”
Taylor’s spinal surgery forced Slipknot to postpone their summer tour with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice & Men. However, Corey soldiered on and eventually took the stage wearing a neck brace for his own safety. Taylor admits he probably should’ve waited longer before returning, but he’s been touring hard nonetheless.
Tim “Ripper” Owens’ Traveler’s Tavern To Shut Down
Tim “Ripper” Owens’ Traveler’s Tavern, located in Akron, OH, will be closing on September 3.
Co-owner Micah Posten posted on Facebook,
“It comes with a heavy heart and a huge amount of considering many options, but Tim and I have decided to close our venue. Words can not express the gratitude we have for everyone who came out and supported the restaurant and the local music scene. A lot of work went into making this place great, lots of blood sweat and tears (literally) to bring Akron a place it could be proud of. I believe we were successful at that, but at this time Tim and I are being pulled away from that focus to concentrate on our main jobs.
“Tim is touring more and more and I am needed at my landscape company. Both of these are very positive for Tim and I but creates a negative for the bar/restaurant. We have both agreed to sell to another person who will be more focused on creating a cool restaurant and possibly keeping the stage rocking a couple times a month. I personally will be contacting any acts we have booked to help find other venues for them to perform.
“Tim and I are very sorry for the inconvenience and hope everyone is understanding. Our last day for food will be September 2 (huge party), our last live music show will be September 3. LETS BLOW IT OUT!”
TALKING HEADBANGERS
Bobby Blotzer Defends His Version of Ratt
Drummer Bobby Blotzer — who’s been touring with his own version of Ratt over the objection of his former bandmates — isn’t shy about telling his side of the story. In a recent interview, Blotzer stood behind his decision to keep Ratt going without the others, stressing once again that he needed to “perpetuate business” for the group’s corporation — and accusing DeMartini of “breaching fiduciary duty for years” by refusing to tour without departed members.
For vindication, Blotzer insists he need only look out in the audience at his gigs, which outweighs any negative feedback from his fellow Ratt vets — or fans who accuse him of deceptively promoting a false product.
“They wanna hear it done with great integrity, conviction, performance, show … everything. They just wanna hear the music and have it sound like the records,” said Blotzer. “And I’ve seen other bands that have one, two, three [original members] … whatever, they go out and I look around and I’m, like, ‘Wow, [the fans are] f—ing loving it,’ and they don’t really care if Joe Smith is on bass, or whatever. I walk out and see those faces and feel that love and give that love. It’s, like, it all fades … all the negativity. I don’t listen to it. I don’t care. F— you guys. You don’t like it? F— off.”
Rumors of a Blotzer-free Ratt reunion continue to circulate, and have only intensified after the announcement that singer Stephen Pearcy will perform with fellow former Ratt members Juan Croucier and Carlos Cavazo at the Rock N Skull festival in Joliet, IL on Oct. 30.
Dokken Reunion Infighting Has Already Begun
Dokken frontman Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch have begun snapping at each other ahead of the band’s reunion shows in Japan, says drummer Mick Brown – and he adds that he’s tired of it.
The classic lineup, also featuring Jeff Pilson, are set to play six gigs in October, before Dokken revert to the current formation featuring Dokken, Brown, Jon Levin and Chris McCarvill.
Brown tells Focus On Metal: “Nothing’s changed. George and Don, during the conversations to get this going, they’re already starting up. I’m tired of the bad-attitude stuff. You put Don and George together and it just starts happening again, and then it gets really confusing.
“I think it’s very sad when grown men act that way, and I’m tired of being around it. But here we go.”
Brown adds: “Listen, for that kind of money, I’ll shut up and do what we used to do. Jeff and I will stand there and go just the same way we did before.”
With no further reunion shows planned, he reflects: “If we blink this will be over. What’s probably going to happen is we’ll end up doing it, it’ll come off really well, then they’re going to talk about doing it again. And I’ll be like, ‘Oh man, here we go, all over again!’”
Classic Dokken Japanese reunion dates are:
Oct 5: Osaka Namba Hatch
Oct 6: Fukuoka Civic Hall
Oct 8: Tokyo Loud Park Festival
Oct 10: Hiroshima Blue Live Hiroshima
Oct 11: Aichi Zepp Nagoya
Oct 12: Tokyo Zepp Divercity
Paul Stanley Believes KISS Will Make Another Album
In a new interview with clevescene.com, KISS’ Paul Stanley touched on whether or not the band will release a new studio album in the future.
“Records at this point are really something that if we do, we do it for us more than anybody else. The market, the sales aren’t there… the delivery system isn’t there,” Paul says.
“There really is no music industry. It’s a guy who ran Tropicana last year, that may run a record company this year. It’s not a bunch of people who love music. It’s a commodity at this point. So if we do an album, it’s because we feel there’s a reason. Sonic Boom, there was definitely a reason to do. Monster, there was a reason to do. We’re toying, certainly I’m toying, with the idea of doing another album. I think it will happen. The only thing I’m adamant about is that it’s not Son of Sonic Boom or Son of Monster or son of any other album. I’m not interested in making a concept album, but I’m also not interested in just rehashing the last two albums, so it has to be something fresh. Because initially, the people we’re doing it for, are us.”
ON TOUR
Metallica “itching” to Play New Songs on Extensive North America Tour in 2017
The band’s long-awaited 10th album, Hardwired… To Self Destruct is due for release on November 18.
Drummer Lars Ulrich tells Rolling Stone: “We’re itching to play them [songs off the new album]. Right now, every day when we get into the tuning room we’re just playing the new songs. Then we’re like, ‘Wait, we gotta get out there and play Master Of Puppets!’ ”
“We did 180 shows on the Death Magnetic tour in two-week periods over three years. That’s what works for us. We’re going to start pretty much full-on touring in January and are looking to figure out what we’re doing in North America, but there will definitely be some pretty extensive touring in America.”
Metallica haven’t played a proper US arena tour since 2009. “It’s time to come back,” adds the drummer, “and do some proper penetration of America.” The tour is set to start in January 2017.
Guns N’ Roses Announce New Zealand Reunion Shows
Guns N’ Roses have confirmed two New Zealand shows as part of their Not In This Lifetime tour. They’ll appear in Wellington on February 2 and Auckland on February 4 next year, following 12 dates in South America, three in Japan and ahead of five in Australia.
NEW RELEASES
Ozzy Osbourne Wants To Do New Solo Album And Tour
Ozzy Osbourne wants to do a new solo album and tour once he has taken a break at the end of Black Sabbath’s final tour, says keyboardist Adam Wakeman, the son of prog icon Rick Wakeman.
“Sabbath are finishing on February 4, then we’ll see what happens with Ozzy after that. He wants to do another tour, he wants to do another album. But there’s going to be a period of time when he needs a rest.”
Wakeman isn’t certain whether he’ll be invited to return to take part, but he’s ready to do so. He tells EonMusic: “I was lucky enough to start with them in 2003, so this is my 13th year with Ozzy and Sabbath. I keep half-expecting a picture of a Spitfire and a watch at the end of each tour – but they keep asking me back and I’m happy to come.”
TNT Plans New Studio Album + Tour For 2017
TNT frontman Tony Harnell has checked in on Facebook, saying “TNT is working away in the studio and things are going well. I’ll be back in Norway next week laying down vocals and writing with Ronni. We will announce our new record deal and approximate new album release date soon. We’ve also brought on a new worldwide agency and will be announcing tour dates for next year. More specifics coming soon on all the above!”
David Lee Roth Releases New Episodes Of The Roth Show
Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth takes on the world of photography and coffee on the latest editions of his ongoing online video series entitled “The Roth Show.”
The coffee episode includes the Van Halen singer’s cover of the 1978 Gerry Rafferty hit, “Baker Street” – it was previously featured on his rare 2002 package No Holds Bar-B-Que, which he shared with fans last month.
There’s been no update on activity within the Van Halen camp. Van Halen closed out their tour in support of Tokyo Dome Live In Concert with a pair of shows at the Hollywood Bowl in early October 2015.
Metalheads Say The Damnedest Things
“For years, I’ve sat on airplanes flying across the planet, contemplating why we drag piles of gear and people around the world to play concerts. In many ways, it seems so antiquated.
“But, so far, no technology can replace the live human experience of music and people together in a room all rocking out, digging the same music and having fun together. So, we make records for people to enjoy in their cars, living rooms, gyms, on whatever device or means they hear it, so we can take the show on the road to have our little metal summits in each town, bringing us to together as a tribe.
“I think that is what it is really all about. Humans have a ‘tribe mentality’ as a species, and that’s how music connects us – we find like-minded people who rally around a genre, and that becomes our common bond. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
~ Megadeth frontmain Dave Mustaine