Category Archives: music

music

Was the new U2 album really FREE??? Technically, it wasn’t…

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It may seem like that Bono have joined the free music movement but in reality, he hasn’t. Technically, the album wasn’t free at all. Apple paid the band U2 for this. I bet Apple paid U2 a lot of money for this, I mean a lot of money… possibly millions. Why did Bono agree to try to give this album away for free? 

Simply because he feels the charts today are broken and I agree. He’s another one who feels that today’s music industry isn’t the same anymore. 

http://time.com/3313164/bono-u2-apple-itunes/

After U2 giving away their album for a free download on Itunes, I have a feeling that more bands & artists will follow. This could be an ongoing trend in Itunes. 

I’ve just downloaded the new U2 album. I couldn’t download it on my Ipod Touch ’cause I didn’t have IOS7 on there yet but my Ipad does have IOS7 so I downloaded it for the Ipad instead. 

I’ll give the new album a listen this week and will give it a review. 

Kev

music

Gene Simmons clarifies himself in facebook about his “Rock is Dead” comments…

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“ROCK IS DEAD – that was the headline in a recent interview I did, of course, taken out of context. That’s okay.

It’s still true.

Name a rock band in the last 30 years that has risen to iconic level. Nirvana? Anyone else?

Name iconic rock acts in the first 30 years – from 1958 through 1988 – ELVIS, THE BEATLES, THE STONES, LED ZEPPELIN, PINK FLOYD, SPRINGSTEEN, AC/DC, METALLICA and MOTOWN, and countless more.

Yesterday KISS headlined a terrific event called FASHION ROCKS. It was on CBS.

There were some terrific acts on the bill. Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, sure, band called Perry, and many more. Including hosting by Justin Bieber and various models.

Honestly, even though the event is called FASHION ROCKS, and even though KISS closed the show and headlined….. THIS WAS THE ONE AND ONLY ROCK BAND ON THE ENTIRE BILL.

Defense rests, your Honor.”

When I defended Gene SImmons about his “Rock his dead” comments, he said the same thing I said. In this day and age of the industry, the “iconic” status doesn’t go to rock acts anymore. The iconic “status” are going to pop, rap and country artists these days. 

While I do agree that Nirvana was one of the only bands in the last 30 years who reached the iconic status… I can certainly name a few more… the Foo Fighters for starters. Pearl Jam is another one. Soundgarden? Metallica? Megadeth? Slayer? Radiohead? Red Hot Chilli Peppers?

Stone Temple Pilots had something going for their first couple of albums but their career went downhill later. 

What can we do to make the music industry respect “rock n’ roll” again? The industry relies on pop, rap and country ’cause it sells. Rock doesn’t. 

I hear him, though. Today’s industry is a joke… I’ve been saying it for a long time. 

Like I said before, it’s getting tougher to buy good music ’cause pop music is dominating the industry like mad. I have a tough time trying to find new rock music that is good but I do happen to find good rock music lately like Black Label Society is a great band for example, they’re not really iconic yet but they’re fantastic. I love Zakk Wylde’s guitar playing and songwriting. 

A metal band called, Ghost. B.C., is pretty new and they are a great band who deserves mainstream success but we know they’ll never get it. 

Blues guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, deserves mainstream success ’cause he’s a killer guitar player!!! He’s so underrated, he’ll never get the mainstream success ’cause nobody cares about the blues. He throws some rock n’ roll into his music too. 

I’ve been saying this stuff for a long time that rock n’ roll will NEVER get mainstream again. Gene is so right!!!  Get over it!

Kev

music

U2 finally releases their new album but they release it for FREE on Itunes!!!

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Suddenly, U2 appeared out of the blue and announced they just finally released their new album titled, “Songs of Innocence”. Even though I stopped liking U2 for a while, I’ll check this album out as long as it’s free. Why not? I listened to a few clips of the album and it actually sounds pretty good. Look like they got their old-school sound back which is what I wanted from the band. I’m interested in hearing it ’cause they did a tribute for the Ramones on the album, they dedicated a song for them. 

Why are they releasing this album for free? Simply because it’s in celebration of their 10 year team up with Apple. 

I purchased the free album but it’s not in my Itunes library yet but on the U2 Itunes page, it says it will be soon so I guess we’ll have to wait. 

It’s funny, ya know… I could have sworn that U2 said they weren’t gonna release an album this year but guess they decided to release it earlier. Looking forward to hearing it, though!

I’ve heard every U2 album in their entire career. I just like their older stuff more than their new stuff. 

Kev

music

Phantogram, accused of plagiarism… I’m not surprised…

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Portishead’s Geoff Barrow is accusing Phantogram of stealing a drum sample for their song, “When I’m Small”. I listened to both songs in the link and sorry to say, both drum samples almost sound exactly the same.

I’m not surprised that Phantogram would get accused of plagiarism at some point ’cause most of their songs sounds like other songs from other bands and artists.

Portishead’s Geoff Barrow Says Phantogram Ripped Him Off, Too

I don’t know why everybody likes Phantogram so much. So they’re from my hometown of Greenwich and everyone here is friends with them, so that automatically makes us have to like them? I don’t dig Phantogram. I find their music boring and unoriginal. They’re just trying to make pop music so they can make it in the mainstream. In order to be successful, they rip off songs by other bands so they can make it. They’re obviously desperate for fame.

I tried to get into this band and even saw them live once and they bored me to tears. I don’t know what’s so special about them, anyways. I tried to support Phantogram but it’s just their music is not my cup of tea. Their songwriting not good. Just my opinion and if other people don’t like it, I don’t care.

Don’t be surprised that more bands will start accusing them of plagiarism.

Kev

music

Gene Simmons full Esquire interview with his son here…

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Music fans are getting their panties in a bunch over Gene Simmons controversial “Rock is finally dead” comments. How much do you wanna bet that most of them didn’t read the actual interview itself before slamming the guy? I just finished reading the interview with Gene and his son at Esquire magazine.

Before bashing Gene Simmons, maybe you should read the entire interview and then you would understand what he’s saying.

Read it here:

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/gene-simmons-future-of-rock

I think the interview is very interesting!

A lot of people are coming to a misunderstanding when he says that “Rock is finally dead”. He’s not saying that there are no rock bands anymore. That’s not what he’s saying at all. He knows that there are new rock bands today but what he’s saying is that they will no longer get the “iconic” and “legendary” status with the way the industry is going today.

Today, the industry have been giving the “iconic” status to fake pop-stars like Justin Bieber, Kanye, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Psy, etc. who are mostly manufactured by record labels. Those pop stars don’t write their own songs. It’s mostly the record labels that writes the songs in today’s mainstream these days.

Back in the old days when Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Clash, etc. all came around they all got the iconic and “legendary status” ’cause they wrote their own songs and played their own instruments.

You know how legendary and essential albums like Led Zeppelin IV – Zoso, Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon”, The Beatles “Sgt. Peppers”, The Clash “London Calling”, Hendrix “Electric Ladyland” are all important albums that we’ll never forget???

With the way the industry is going today, we’ll never get that essential classic again.

That’s what he meant when he said that, “Rock is finally dead”. When real rock bands and musicians get together and make albums that are huge and iconic that is rock n’ roll. Those days are dead and gone now.

People are accusing Gene of being behind of the times but he’s not. Yeah, there are rock bands today sure but most of today’s bands are manufactured and created by record labels too like Linkin Park for starters. Everything is created by the labels these days.

Gene just wants bands who writes their own songs and play their own instruments getting success in the music business.

I’m sure Gene is gonna get asked again about this in his next interview and I’m sure he’ll talk about it even more.

Read that interview I posted above, the whole thing. It’s good and Gene is so right on everything he said. I’m still siding with him.

Kev

music

More about Gene’s “Rock is Dead” comments…

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For those that are unaware of this, Gene Simmons said the similar comments back in 2012 on the Henry Rollins show but back then when Gene said it, you didn’t see it all over the headlines.

I think the only reason that so many people are shitting on Gene for his opinion on “Rock is dead” is because fans today know that he’s telling the truth. The truth may hurt but sometimes it needs to be said.

I mean, think about this, when was the last time you saw a rock or a metal band make a no. 1 album on the Billboard charts??? Black Sabbath made no. 1 with their latest record “13” but that’s about it. You don’t see too many rock or metal bands making no. 1 albums these days. Rock and metal bands try to make it high on the billboard but the billboard charts is always dominated by pop, rap, and country.

Sure, metal may be a strong genre today. Metal maybe selling out arenas all over the world but you don’t see any Metal albums making the Billboard Top 200 do ya??? Metal is still a struggling industry.

In the early 90’s Grunge and Metal was all over the mainstream, we’ll never get that again… simply because pop, rap, and country is a dominating force.

I do disagree with Gene on one thing, however, I disagree with him that the death of rock was because of piracy and illegal downloading. I blame the death of rock on MTV and maybe Itunes as well. Mainstream media is also the blame.

Sure, there are still rock bands in the mainstream industry but they are still “pop” bands like Nickelback, Linkin’ Park, Avenged Sevenfold, etc.

What Gene is simply saying is that he wants to see the next Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix. Not Justin Bieber or Beyonce. He wants real musicians and real songwriters getting fame and success. Not manufactured pop stars.

I totally get what Gene is saying. It’s not that hard to understand at all.

Kev

music

Somebody finally says it, “Rock is finally dead”… thanks Gene Simmons!!!

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Gone are the days when kids just want to look after their favorite rock stars and buy all of their albums and hang posters of them on their bedroom walls. These days kids are listening to stuff like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Kanye, Justin Bieber, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, etc.

Gone are the days when kids want to pick up a guitar, learn a few chords and jam on pentatonic scales — then try to start their own band and play in their garages to try to score a record deal with a major label. These days kids are desperately trying to get fame by getting on garbage competition shows like: “The Voice”, “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent”, “X-Factor”, etc.

Gone are the days when you want to see your favorite rock bands in large arenas so you can mosh to them, bang your head and raise some hell. These days large arena concerts are for teenagers and young girls so they can scream their heads off to their favorite boy bands or rap stars.

Okay, I think you get my point now. I’ve been saying for years on my blogs that “rock n’ roll” is dead. Rock tries to make a comeback in the mainstream but it is always dominated by pop, rap, and country. Today’s mainstream of music is shit.

I don’t buy new albums much anymore. It’s getting harder and harder to find good music these days. That’s why on my Ipod, you’ll find mostly older music like in the 60’s and 70’s. Sometimes 80’s and early 90’s. I don’t listen to new music too much. I only listen to new music if it’s good and something catches my attention. While I’m not a big fan of pop, rap and country… I can take a little bit of it.

I listen to all sorts of music. A little bit of everything but my no 1. preferred genre is rock n’ roll. I’ve listened to rock n’ roll my entire life so I know it’s a dying industry. It really is sad where the music industry has come to today. Thank you for telling it like is, Gene! \m/

http://loudwire.com/gene-simmons-rock-finally-dead/

Kev

music

Metallica makes the Guinness Book of World Records due to touring all 7 continents…

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Love ’em or hate ’em, Metallica is very successful. They were the first band ever to play all 7 continents of the world which no other band or solo artist have done before. No matter what you think of Metallica, it can’t be denied that this is very impressive. Playing all over the world like that.

I do notice however that Metallica don’t tour the United States that much. They spend most of their lives touring heavily overseas. Why do they tour other countries than the United States??? Probably because they sell more records in other countries than the States.

I was lucky enough to see them live for the first time when they actually made a stop in my area for the “Death Magnetic” tour… they played Albany during that tour and I went to that show. It’s a rare moment to be able to see Metallica live ’cause they’re always touring everywhere. I imagine it’ll be tough for die-hard fans to follow every show of theirs.

I love Metallica but I wish they would do another US tour. This band usually tours the US when they have a new album out. This band are always playing concerts non-stop though. They perform shows all year-long, all year-round.

It just shows that they love what they do. They’ll be playing until they’re dead.

I do wish they would hit the studio again, though. They always seem to be strict about studio… they seem to only record when they want to not because their fans want them to. I guess they start recording new material when they feel the timing is right. We won’t get a new Metallica album this year but probably in 2015, hopefully.

Congrats to Metallica on making Guinness. That’s no surprise, though. I kind of new that they would make the World Records since they are the first band to play all 7 continents. No other band and artist had the balls to do that so that alone should give Metallica the respect they deserve.

Kev

Books, music

Bruce Springsteen is now a children’s author…

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This is pretty cool. Springsteen teamed up with writer/cartoonist Frank Caruso to write a children’s book based on one of Springsteen’s songs called, “Outlaw Pete”. It’s the first song off the album, “Workin’ On A Dream”.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bruce-springsteen-outlaw-pete-childrens-book-20140828

I’m not into children’s books but this looks like a pretty cool read and I’m actually curious about it.

“Outlaw Pete” is one of Springsteen’s best new songs too. The song really is amazing and powerful. This is a song I’ve always wanted to cover myself sometime but Springsteen sings a lot of high notes which would be a really tough one.

Listen to the track below.

Kev

music

Finally, a Led Zeppelin member does the Ice Bucket Challenge… thank you Robert Plant!!!

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I’ve been wondering when any of the Led Zeppelin members will start doing their ALS Ice Bucket challenges. Robert happens to be the first member of the band to get it done; however, Robert surprisingly doesn’t challenge Jimmy Page or John Paul Jones.

When will Jimmy and Jonesy do theirs? I’m sure they will get around to it at some point.

I’d like to see Jimmy do his. Would like to see how he would react to cold ice water being dumped on him.

I enjoyed Robert’s video here. He seems to live at a gorgeous home where ever he is (somewhere out in England, I would assume???).

Kev