Category Archives: music

Report: Bill Ward, drummer of Black Sabbath, releases statement that he’s not playing the upcoming three shows…doesn’t mean he’s done with Sabbath for good though…

Bill Ward, the drummer for Black Sabbath, released a long statement on his website, announcing the official news that he will not be playing the upcoming three Black Sabbath shows, with the original members. Sabbath is scheduled to play three upcoming shows: Their hometown Birmingham show, Download, and of course, Lollapalooza. He is still upset about not receiving an official sign-able contract. Plus, he is upset that he was asked to only play on three songs at the Birmingham gig, when he would rather perform on the entire gig. Lots of other reasons, why he wants no part of these shows.

Read Bill’s blog on it, here.

I’m sure Bill’s fans are hating on him for this, and I’m sure Sharon’s getting the blame. I was gonna bash him for it too, but after reading this intelligent blog, I understand him. It’s a pretty well written blog, explaining his reasons behind things.

I agree there’s no Black Sabbath reunion without Bill Ward, but come on people. I’ve said it plenty of times that Sabbath went through too many different drummers over the years. I’m sure they’re used to replacing somebody and they’ll find somebody quickly. No matter who replaces, Bill Ward, Black Sabbath is going to put on a fucking amazing performance. They’ll put on a tight show, no matter who the drummer is. I’m sure they’ll kill it with no problem and leave the crowd wanting some more.

On top of all this, Black Sabbath deserves some positive vibes after what Tony is going through with his cancer and all. These three, Sabbath shows could be their last ever. When Tony dies, Sabbath is done. In my eyes, there is no Black Sabbath without Tony Iommi. He can replace other members if he wants to but Tony can’t be replaced. Tony even had other bass players other than Geezer Butler over the years too. Tony can’t be replaced ’cause HE IS Black Sabbath. Bill, Ozzy, and Geezer maybe SABBATH too, but everything is all Tony. He is the star and the main guy of the band. Without his distinct guitar sound and his excellent riffs, that’s not Black Sabbath. As long as Tony is in the band, it’s still Black Sabbath, no matter who is in it.

I’m sure the other guys in the band, are not heartbroken about Bill’s departure, they had problems with the guy for years, so this is nothing NEW!

Kev

 

Cool Video: Lisa Marie Presley’s new album, “Storm and Grace” hits stores today, and I think she’s trying to sound like her father on it…

Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, releases her third solo album today. Listening to the clips of each track, it sounds that she’s trying to sound like her father. The style of the music is similar to Elvis and she’s trying too hard to sing like him too. Of course, she’s going to get a music career because of her father, but her music career will NEVER be as big as he was. She’ll never top the King. I don’t think I’ll get her album.

Kev

Report: Scott Weiland officially reunites with the Velvet Revolver as frontman…

Ever since Scott Weiland was booted from the Velvet Revolver, the band was trying to replace a new singer. The band never announced a new singer ever since Weiland left, but it appears that the band has officially buried the hatchet with him. The band plans on going on tour and then get to work on their 3rd album, with Weiland as frontman.

More on the story, here.

Good news, but who knows how long this will last? Tempers could flare again and Weiland’s next run with the band could be very short, never know. It’ll be interesting to see how long Weiland stays with them, next time around. I like the Velvet Revolver sure. Never owned their first two albums, but I’ve heard their stuff on the radio lots of times.

Kev

Cool Video: Bono makes surprise appearance at “The Living Room” in NYC to perform with Glen Hansard…

Bono, the lead singer of U2, makes a rare and surprise public appearance at “The Living Room” music venue in NYC to perform, a song with Irish singer/songwriter, Glen Hansard. I believe Glen and Bono are pretty close friends, as they are both from, Ireland. Glen was in NYC last night to play an intimate acoustic show, and Bono just happened to be in town, so Glen invited Bono to sing a song with him.

Pretty cool performance, and this proves that Bono can really sing too.

Kev

Report: CBGB’s maybe making a comeback but to a new venue and new location…

The legendary, CBGB’s club responsible for starting the NYC punk movement, maybe closed, but the club could be making a return. However, a club spokesman said the club will be looking for a new venue and new area in NYC.

More on the story, here.

While I think it’s a good idea to move on to a new place, the new CBGB’s is never going to top the original venue that had so much history. The new place is never going to be better than the old place. They can move on and forget about the past, all they want to, but this isn’t the late 1970’s anymore. I don’t think any band can turn the new place on top like the Ramones did. The Ramones, were one of the first bands to play there when the club first opened.

I’ve never been to the original CBGB’s before. Never played a gig there and never saw a show there. My point is, the new CBGB, won’t be as good as the original. I never been to the original venue, but I understand the place had so much rock n’ roll history even that venue could be a shithole like all the others.

Kev

Report: Andre 3000 is Jimi Hendrix…

There has been rumors in the past that Andre 3000, rapper/actor, was supposed to be playing Jimi Hendrix, for the biopic film, titled, “All Is By My Side”, well now, the rumor has been officially confirmed. I don’t know much about Andre 3000, since I’ve never listened to rap music all that much, but I remember seeing him in the film, “Be Cool”. Looking at Andre’s photos, he looks almost identical to Hendrix, almost like twin brothers. So I must say that Andre is a perfect fit!

More on the story, here.

Like I said, I don’t know much about the music of Andre 3000, but I do know that he really plays the guitar. He’s going to have to learn more about Hendrix’s guitar style. He’s going to learn how to play left handed. Hendrix played a right handed guitar but he reversed the strings so he could play left handed. Andre may have to do the same, which may be tough for him. I’m sure Andre will be trained by guitar instructors in Hendrix’s style.

I hate most music biopics, there’s only very few of them that I loved, like: “La Bamba” with Lou Diamond Philips, “The Buddy Holly Story” with Gary Busey, “Ray” with Jamie Foxx, and “Walk the Line” with Joaquin Phoenix.

Hopefully, this Hendrix biopic will be a real good one.

Kev

The future of the Beastie Boys, what’s next now that Adam Yauch is gone???

Now that Adam Yauch or MCA, is gone, there are quite a few questions that need to be answered that left some people thinking. Will Mike D and Ad-Rock continue, the Beastie Boys, without Yauch? Will they get a replacement for him, or will they just go on as a duo? I don’t think they should go on ’cause in my opinion, and I think most of you would agree there can’t be a Beastie Boys without, Adam Yauch.

I’m sure they will continue to release new music as I’m sure they have plenty of material that were thrown out.

Not sure what they have plans for the future, but I’m sure the surviving members are discussing things. They were an incredible group though. I’ve always loved their music, “Ill Communication” has always been my favorite album of theirs.

Kev

Brock defends the “Rock and Roll” Hall of Fame…

You hear the same old arguments and the same old debates without any proof to back their arguments with. The things that comes from people. They are just opinionated when it comes to the, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A lot of people call, it the “Hall of Shame”, because they induct a lot of pop stars, disco artists, hip hop/rap artists, r&b singers, etc. People expect the “Hall of Fame” to induct rock n’ roll acts, since the name of the ceremony has “Rock N’ Roll”, in it.

I truly believe that when people bash the Hall of Fame, truly know nothing about music. They don’t know the history. People don’t know how rock n’ roll all started. People don’t understand that rock n’ roll is the roots to all genres of music. Rock n’ roll does not need to be strictly rock n’ roll. You hear rock n’ roll in R&B, funk, metal, and yes, you even hear rock n’ roll in rap and pop music. Rock n’ roll covers everything. All genres of music came from rock n’ roll. So all these artists such as Madonna, Run DMC, Prince, Aretha Franklin, the Beastie Boys, etc. Do they all deserve the Hall of Fame induction? Absolutely!

All the negative criticism coming from music fans about the Hall of Fame, I believe the criticism became big after artists such as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols and several others ditching the Hall of Fame induction ’cause of differences of genres, so the music fans jumped on their bandwagon, criticizing the Hall of Fame in return. The Hall of Fame knows what they’re doing when inducting artists. They’re not stupid like you think they are.

The criticism also started because Rush and KISS, hasn’t been inducted yet. Keep in mind that there is a lot of music and a lot of bands out there. Too many to look after. So they can’t induct every music legend out there. That’s why they have a strict voting system with the board, and it’s why that they have this rule that artists are eligible for induction after 25 years of their first record. The nominees are selected by rock n’ roll historians and experts. Get the hint with that word, “historians”. They’re no joke, they know what they are doing. Maybe Kiss didn’t get inducted because they don’t have enough votes in, yet?

Maybe Rush didn’t get a nomination yet because maybe the band themselves secretly told them not to give them a nomination? Maybe Rush prefers not to be in the Hall of Fame? I think the guys in Rush themselves, said Rush was never supposed to be a mainstream band. Plus, progressive rock is not that friendly with the Hall of Fame as they have also snubbed, Yes, and Jethro Tull.

I’m sure Rush and Kiss would get inducted sometime in the future, just give it time. Just be patient. It’ll happen.

With that being said, I respect the Hall of Fame, honoring music legends. If you were a true music lover, you would respect the Hall of Fame and the legends they induct. If you bash the hall of fame for what they do, you’re not that intelligent about music as you look. The Hall of Fame is all about celebrating the legacy of a music artist. Celebrating their history and their music career, the success they achieved over the years. That’s what the Hall of Fame is about. It’s not about inducting artists who you think are good and who you think are bad. They are not here to please you. It’s about supporting their legacy they created with their careers, period, end of story.

Sure, I may not like some of the artists they induct, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to trash the Hall of Fame because they suck at inducting genres, they don’t. I may not like some of the artists inducted in the Hall of Fame, but I do respect their legacy. Like them or not, all the artists inducted in the past are pretty big legends. It didn’t matter if it was Run DMC or Madonna.

On top of that, this year’s Hall of Fame is being aired on HBO tonight at 9, and yes, I’ll be watching. I want to see the Chili Pepopers, Guns N’ Roses, and the Beastie Boys get inducted. Should be a good ceremony, and looking forward to it.

Kev

Report: Dave Grohl to make his film directing debut for the big screen. He will make a documentary about, Sound City Studios…

Dave Grohl, most famous as the frontman for the Foo Fighters, and former drummer of Nirvana, may have years of musical experience, but he has been on and off in the movie industry as well. He’s got some acting experience through his own music videos, and he made cameos in a few movies/TV shows as well. I think he even directed a few videos for the Foo Fighters himself. Well, Dave is finally making his own film. He’s doing a documentary about Sound City Studios, a legendary studio that Dave owns himself. Many rock legends over the years have recorded in it.

See the website for his film, here.

I’m sure it won’t be a world wide release, it’s probably going to be released independently, but the film sounds cool.

Kev

Cool Video: Neil Young covers the folk song, “Oh Susannah”, rock n’ roll version…

On a lighter note, here’s a cool song by Neil Young covering the famous traditional folk song, “Oh Susannah”. How come today’s music doesn’t sound like this? At least Neil, knows what real music is supposed to sound like. Neil & Crazy Horse still have it too, and they are better than ever. I’m looking forward to his next album, “Americana”, ’cause it’ll be awesome to hear rock n’ roll versions of famous folk songs.

I’m such a huge Neil Young fan. He’s such an inspiration and hero to me.

Kev