Away Team

DARKEST HOUR have released a brand new video for their track “Your Everyday Disaster” off their most recent record The Human Romance to celebrate their upcoming European tour with MACHINE HEAD.

“This video was made by our good friend and long time fan John Ryan Flaherty. We couldn’t be more stoked to hit Europe with Machine Head, Bring Me The Horizon and Devildriver. Here’s a little taste of the dude’s lives, come out and celebrate with us!” says guitarist Mike Schleibaum.

The band released an entirely instrumental version of “The Human Romance” via iTunes. Click HERE to preview or purchase.

The band released their latest record “The Human Romance.” earlier this year to much anticipation with singles like “Love As A Weapon” and “The World Engulfed In Flames,” including the highly successful music video for “Savor The Kill.”

DARKEST HOUR is John Henry – vocals, Mike “Lonestar” Carrigan – guitar, Mike Schleibaum – guitar, Ryan Parrish – drums and Paul Burnette – bass guitar.









For more DARKEST HOUR click here.

On November 1st, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will join Mastodon and Red Fang for the band’s final tour of 2011! But starting October 25th in Little Rock, you can check out Dillinger on some special headlining show taking them over to the west coast.

Over the past two years, there has been only one band that has wowed crowds at Bonnaroo, Coachella and Warped Tour. If you missed them this past summer with Deftones, then now is the time to see the best live band in rock.

For those of you in Australia who have been waiting for the band to return…you can now mark your calendars for Feb 25 – Mar 5 of next year where the band will be part of the SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL!

The band just posted a new blog and tour video preview on their new website here. Along with that, the site is the new dashboard for all current and upcoming activity and shows, videos, social network feeds plus fans can download of an unreleased remix of “Black Bubblegum” by Sergio Vega (Deftones).

All of this action has been in support of their 2010 release, Option Paralysis (Season Of Mist/Party Smasher Inc). The album showcases their signature organized chaos in tracks like “Farewell, Mona Lisa“. Their rock sensibilities in “Gold Teeth On A Bum“, and their melodic tendencies in “Parasitic Twins“. Stay tuned for more news on the band including tours, recordings and more.

The Dillinger Escape Plan with Mastodon & Red Fang
Oct. 25 Little Rock, AR Downtown Music**
Oct. 26 Austin, TX Emo’s East**
Oct. 27 Dallas, TX The Door**
Oct. 29 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch**
Oct. 30 Tucson, AZ The Rock**
Nov. 1 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern Theater
Nov. 2 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
Nov. 3 San Francisco, CA The Warfield Theater
Nov. 5 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Nov. 6 Seattle, WA Showbox SODO
Nov. 7 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
Nov. 8 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
Nov. 9 Denver, CO The Ogden Theatre
Nov. 11 Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre
Nov. 12 Milwaukee, WI The Rave Ballroom
Nov. 13 St. Louis, MO Pop’s
Nov. 14 Kansas City, MO The Beaumont
Nov. 16 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
Nov. 17 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room
Nov. 18 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theater**
Nov. 19 New York, NY Terminal 5
Nov. 20 Philadelphia, PA The Trocadero
Nov. 21 Boston, MA House of Blues
Nov. 23 Montreal, QC Metropolis
Nov. 25 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
Nov. 26 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
Nov. 27 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Nov. 28 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
Nov. 29 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Dec. 1 Lake Buena Vista, FL House of Blues
Dec. 2 Atlanta, GA The Tabernacle

**Dillinger Escape Plan HEADLINING









For more THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN click here.

LAMB OF GOD have set January 24th, 2012 as the release date for Resolution, the follow up to their Grammy nominated album Wrath. Resolution, produced by Josh Wilbur, will feature 14 songs and will come in a deluxe softpak with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams. The album was recorded in various studios in Virginia and New York.

Pre-orders for the new album will begin today at www.lamb-of-god.com/resolution and will feature multiple premium bundles. On November 15th, the band will announce the first leg of what will be a 2 year world tour.

RESOLUTION track listing:
Straight for the Sun
Desolation
Ghost Walking
Guilty
The Undertow
The Number Six
Barbarosa
Invictus
Cheated
Insurrection
Terminally Unique
To The End
Visitation
King Me









For more LAMB OF GOD click here.

Candlelight Records has announced the worldwide signing of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Since early this year, the band – featuring the esteemed Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin – has been working with long-time producer John Custer. Now nearly complete, their still untitled eighth studio album is planned for release early in the new year.

Gathering last summer to jam as a trio for the first time in over a decade, the treasured threesome quickly rekindled the magic that originally united and ultimately bound the musicians on a journey that today continues to impress both fans and critics.

Candlelight’s Steve Beatty says of the signing, “Animosity is one of my favorite records ever. To have C.O.C. on Candlelight with that line-up is simply mouth watering. I saw the band in London recently and they did not disappoint. This hungry child can’t wait for the record.” Candlelight’s Edward Christie adds, “we are extremely excited to welcome the band to the label and are looking forward to an amazing album. We are all huge fans and this is truly a memorable day for all of us.”

The band shares the excitement the immediate future holds. Woody Weatherman comments, “writing and recording this new record as a three-piece has been a blast. Having Reed back in the fold with Mike and I brings it around full circle. I’m really looking forward to all that lies ahead this upcoming year.”

Reed Mullen adds, “Mike, Woody and I essentially learned how to play music together and cultivated our own style, sound, and unspoken language. Re-bonding with them musically has been the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Corrosion of Conformity will perform with DANZIG tonight at the Gibson Ampitheater in Los Angeles. The band’s final performances for 2011 will be alongside Clutch December 27 through 31.

December
27 – House of Blues – Boston, MA
28 – State Theater – Portland, ME
29 – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
30 – Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
31 – Trocadero Theater – Philadelphia, PA









For more COC click here.

Iced Earth and Symphony X have teamed up for the ultimate co-headline tour!

SPECIAL NOTE: Symphony X does not play with Iced Earth after Sunday, March 11. The last five dates of the tour feature Iced Earth and Warbringer.

ICED EARTH North American 2012 Co-Headliner Tour with Symphony X and Warbringer:
Tue, 2012-01-31 HARTFORD CT WEBSTER THEATER
Wed, 2012-02-01 PHILADELPHIA PA TROCADERO
Fri, 2012-02-03 SAYREVILLE NJ STARLAND BALLROOM
Sat, 2012-02-04 QUEBEC CITY QC ALBERT ROUSSEAU
Sun, 2012-02-05 MONTREAL QC METROPOLIS
Mon, 2012-02-06 TORONTO ON PHOENIX
Thu, 2012-02-09 WINNIPEG MB GARRICK
Fri, 2012-02-10 SASKATOON SK LOUIS PUB
Sat, 2012-02-11 EDMONTON AB STARLITE ROOM
Sun, 2012-02-12 CALGARY AB FLAMES CENTRAL
Tue, 2012-02-14 VANCOUVER BC COMMODORE BALLROOM
Wed, 2012-02-15 SEATTLE WA SHOWBOX MARKET
Thu, 2012-02-16 PORTLAND OR HAWTHORNE
Fri, 2012-02-17 SAN FRANCISCO CA REGENCY
Sat, 2012-02-18 LOS ANGELES CA CLUB NOKIA
Mon, 2012-02-20 LAS VEGAS NV HOUSE OF BLUES
Tue, 2012-02-21 ANAHEIM CA GROVE
Wed, 2012-02-22 SAN DIEGO CA HOUSE OF BLUES
Fri, 2012-02-24 SALT LAKE CITY UT THE COMPLEX
Sat, 2012-02-25 DENVER CO SUMMIT
Sun, 2012-02-26 KANSAS CITY MO MIDLAND THEATER
Mon, 2012-02-27 DALLAS TX TREES
Tue, 2012-02-28 AUSTIN TX EMOS EAST
Wed, 2012-02-29 HOUSTON TX HOUSE OF BLUES
Fri, 2012-03-02 FT LAUDERDALE FL REVOLUTION
Sat, 2012-03-03 LAKE BUENA VISTA FL HOUSE OF BLUES
Mon, 2012-03-05 RALEIGH NC LINCOLN THEATER
Tue, 2012-03-06 CHARLOTTE NC THE FILLMORE CHARLOTTE
Wed, 2012-03-07 COLUMBUS OH NEWPORT MUSIC HALL
Fri, 2012-03-09 WORCESTER MA THE PALLADIUM
Sat, 2012-03-10 NEW YORK NY BEST BUY THEATER
Sun, 2012-03-11 CLIFTON PARK NY NORTHERN LIGHTS

With Warbringer
Tue, 2012-03-13 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 CLUB
Wed, 2012-03-14 BUFFALO NY TOWN BALLROOM
Thu, 2012-03-15 PITTSBURGH PA ALTAR BAR
Fri, 2012-03-16 DETROIT MI CROFOOT BALLROOM
Sat, 2012-03-17 JOLIET IL MOJOES



















For more ICED EARTH click here.
For more SYMPHONY X click here.
For more WARBRINGER click here.

Thursday, October 27, 2011 – Chameleon Club
Photos by Marcy J. Royce

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As we arrived at the Chameleon Club and searched for parking, I knew what was inside would be nothing short of a sellout. And I was right! Walking into the room I noticed the super crowded area at the back bar. Yes, damn near a sellout. People were packed into the slender but long facility, all charged up to see Queensryche. And I noticed the average age of the fans, 35+. As Queensryche garnished most of it’s fans from the old school metal/rock of the 80′s and early 90′s.

Making my way from the back bar to the front by the stage was going to be difficult. Everyone was sardined in place. After a generous offer from a trusted security guy, we made it to where we needed to be. As I looked over the crowd I saw just how pumped up they were. Took my place in the pit and felt the crowd energy as they became restless, chanting ‘Ryche, ‘Ryche, ‘Ryche. The frenzy was about to take off.

The last time I saw Queensryche was when they were an opener for Judas Priest in June 2005 at The Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Needless to say 6 years was a long time for me to see them again. But oh so well worth the wait. Get Started was a perfect opener. Luckily I was the only photog in the pit, during that song I was everywhere. Geoff was working off the crowd energy and he returned that energy. Once again, the best place to be to feel that electricity is where I was. I get off of that stuff, pumps me up, pushes me hard to capture as much of the energy through my camera as I can.  Next up was Damaged followed by I Don’t Believe In Love (which is one of my favorites). The fan frenzy for that song was iconic. I heard just as much sing along as I did Geoff through the PA system. Tingles ran down my spine. It’s a feeling like no other.

I made my way to my spot that I occupied for the rest of the night, just off stage left. I had a somewhat obstructed view because of the architecture of the Chameleon, but I bobbed and weaved to see what I needed. The great part about this spot is the long stretch of 1 foot high mirrors on the oppposite side of the room. This way I could see how packed the fans were, right up to the railings, on both the second and third levels. Arms were waving and the voltage meter rised with every song. This spot was also much better for me to take in all that is Scott Rockenfield. I love drummers and their craft. I take in everything that I can. Scott was quiet impressive with his kit setup and use of everything. One woman directly in front of me kept taking photos of Scott and Parker, she was so enamored with them both. She would look back at me and giggle. I laughed as I knew I shared that same sentiment for Scott. Parker and Michael were both tearing up the stage. Riffs and solos screaming with metal goodness. I did notice when Parker changed guitars to start using the Gretsch, that poor guy looked so small. But boy did he make that thing sing.

The night went so fast. Lots of good choices for the setlist. And I was heavily anticipating the encore. I just knew Jet City Woman and Empire HAD to be in there. Two staples of the good ole earlier days of ‘Ryche. But I was sadly disappointed. One encore song was played, Eyes Of A Stranger. Not sure why they nixed those other two songs, it was on the setlist to perform. Maybe someone wasn’t feeling well, and I can understand that. But nonetheless, I as an old fan was left wanting them. Guess that means I’ll have to catch them again soon. Which I hope to do!

For all that is Queensryche, go to http://www.queensryche.com/

Special thanks to Jeff Albright for making this happen for myself and Away-Team. It was a pleasure sir!

My first introduction to Wayne Static came back in 1999 in the form of “Push It”, the first single off Static-X’s platinum-selling debut album Wisconsin Death Trip.  I was an instant fan.  Never before had I heard such a unique and deliberate stylistic approach so neatly melded with an industrial rock sound.  It was born, Wayne Static’s mad genius had created the Frankenstein that would become known as “Evil Disco”.  Twelve short years later, that brazen young newcomer has transformed into solo artist, CEO, and the godfather of modern industrial rock.  I recently caught up with Static to talk about everything from rap-to-the recording industry-to-rusty Oldsmobiles. So relax, have a seat, and get ready, your consultation with Dr. Pighammer is about to begin…

AWAY-TEAM:  First, I’d like to congratulate you on the release of Pighammer, your first ever solo project which was just released on your own label Dirthouse Records…

WAYNE STATIC:  Thank you!

AWAY-TEAM:  I’d like to talk to you a bit about that later.  But first I’d like to know, when did you decide that you wanted to do a solo album?  What was kinda the driving force behind that?

WAYNE STATIC:  Well, I actually first wanted to do it back in 2001.  It was when I was finishing up writing the Machine record, and realizing that it was just kind of me, writing everything by myself, while the other guys partied and did whatever they wanted, did their own side projects.  Then they’d come back, and I’d have to compromise and argue with them about this and that.  By the time we recorded the record, I was already sick of all the songs, and felt that some of the original energy and excitement was lost from the songs.  So, it’s been in my head for over ten years, but I kinda had to wait for the right time because for me to do a solo record it meant I had to put Static-X on the shelf for a while.  I knew that we still had a lot of stuff to do, so after the 2009 tour was done I felt like it was the right time to do it.  Everyone was kinda ready to take a break from the band and do their own thing, and I was definitely ready to take a break and do my own thing, so here we are.

AWAY-TEAM:  There’s actually a bit of a story behind the Pighammer character, explain that to me.

WAYNE STATIC:  Well, the theme of the album is transformation, and we were trying to think of a cool way to depict that.  It’s sort of a dark comedy type of thing where, I’m this mad plastic surgeon who changes my wife into a pig with this Pighammer surgical tool that we made up.  Some people try to take that too literally, and try to read into what it is, but it’s really just sort of a humorous look at transformation.

AWAY-TEAM:  I know you were once featured in the Eternal Descent comic book series, is there any chance we see Pighammer in a similar situation?  Or maybe even a movie?

WAYNE STATIC:  I’m always open to that kind of stuff, ya know.  The last comic book thing, the Eternal Descent thing, kinda came my way through the guitar company I was working with for the last few years.  I think it’s cool, I think my look lends itself very well to that sort of animation.  So any time anyone makes me an offer for that sort of thing, I think it’s cool, I like to see the way it comes out.  So if you wanna make a movie that sounds cool too.

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs)  I’ll get working on that!  (both laugh)

WAYNE STATIC:  Alright let’s do it!

AWAY-TEAM:  I understand that prior to making this album you and your wife sold your house in L.A. and moved out to the desert, what prompted a move like that?

WAYNE STATIC:  Ya know, we both grew up in small little farm towns, and then we both ended up in the city… and Tera never liked L.A. she just came there for me, and I kinda grew to hate it there too.  There’s just too much traffic and congestion, and we’ve had the house out in the high desert in Joshua Tree for a long time, and we used to just go there for the weekends.  We were like ‘Well, what if we just moved out there and forget about L.A.?’  So it worked out pretty well, we love it, it’s kind of come full circle.  Ya know, we live in the middle of nowhere, just like where we grew up.

AWAY-TEAM:  Back to basics.  Now, the first single “Assasins of Youth”, the video for which by the way is visually brilliant, I have to commend you on that…

WAYNE STATIC:  Thanks man.

AWAY-TEAM:  …that song is actually about your last days of drug use, and it took several years to write.  You actually wrote the first part during a bit of a bender, tell me about that.  And when you perform the song now is it more of a ‘What the fuck was I thinking?’ feeling? Or is it more of a liberating reminder of what you’ve overcome?

WAYNE STATIC:  That song, and the whole album, was written and recorded while we were getting off drugs, and withdrawing, and going through these changes.  So that’s really like the biggest transformation of all, so that song in particular I thought was a great first single because it kinda sums it all up.  Ya know, I started writing that song in 2007, and finished it up during the Pighammer recording sessions.  But in general, the whole album deals with that.  Ya know, we didn’t go to rehab or any crap like that.  I still drink alcohol, I’m not a quitter.

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs)

WAYNE STATIC:  There was a point where we kinda realized that it wasn’t fun anymore.  For me, it was just not healthy, so while we were actually making the record we spent some time cleaning up.  So that’s really what a lot of the record is about.

AWAY-TEAM:  You mentioned that you still drink alcohol, it’s funny you said that, because I had read an article a while ago about Scott Weiland and he still drinks.  And I had always wondered, is that something that kind of let’s you say ‘Hey, I do have some self control’, is that an accurate assessment?

WAYNE STATIC:  Ya know, I think people that have to go to rehab, maybe they don’t really wanna quit doing drugs, ya know.  For me, it was a choice, and it’s not easy but when you know you gotta do it, and you wanna do it, you just deal with it.  I don’t see any reason to quit drinking.  Fuck, I’ve been drinking since I was 20, I’m 45, I’ll be 46 next month.  So I’ve been an alcoholic for 30 years now, so why should I quit drinking? (both laugh)

AWAY-TEAM:  Amen to that!  (both laugh)  So back to the “Assasins…” video, was it hard shooting a video with a full time chub?

WAYNE STATIC:  (laughs)  It was a fun and difficult shoot at the same time.  It was a lot of fun, cuz the video is supposed to be funny, if you take it too literal then some people have problems with it.  I knew it was kind of a risky move to do something like that.  But it was kinda tough, because we did it with no money, and we kinda did it guerilla style.  A friend of ours, Matt Zane, shot it by himself with no help.  We were at this little hotel room, up in the high desert, and they didn’t know we were shooting it, because we didn’t wanna spend any money on the video.  And it was the summer time, so it was like over 100 degrees in the room, and we were there for three days, so it was kinda brutal in that respect.  But I think the video turned out great, and it seems like everyone really digs it.  It’s a really fun, kind of different video.

AWAY-TEAM:  I was really impressed with it.  So being on the road and trying to maintain a sobriety is a bit of a daunting task.  What kind of support system do you have with you to keep you from the temptations of the road?

WAYNE STATIC:  I’m not even tempted anymore. I mean you could chop up some Oxycontin and put it right in front of my face, and I wouldn’t do it because I just don’t want to.  I mean, I’ve seen the dark side of drug addiction and I don’t ever wanna be there again.  So I don’t need a support system, I’m just over it, ya know?

AWAY-TEAM:  That’s great!

WAYNE STATIC:  And my wife is here at my side of course, as always. (both laugh)  We do everything together.

AWAY-TEAM:  Speaking of your wife, the first single from the last Static-X album was “Stingwray”, which is an ode to both your wife and her car.  There’s another song on the album called “Z-28″ , so one can only assume that you’re a big car fanatic…

WAYNE STATIC:  Definitely. (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  What was the coolest car you ever owned? And also, what was the biggest piece of shit you’ve ever owned?

WAYNE STATIC:  The biggest piece of shit was definitely my very first car.  Which a friend gave to me, because it was a worthless piece of shit.  This was back in the 80′s, it was an old Oldsmobile Delta ’88.  It barely ran, it was all rusted through, so I spray painted it black, and spray painted the KISS Army logo on the back of it, put a plastic machine gun in the window, and got pulled over all the time because the cops thought I had a real gun in the window.  (both laugh)  So that was definitely the biggest piece of shit.  When I moved to L.A., I couldn’t give the car away.  I drove it to the dump and they gave me $80 for it, so that was a sad day. (laughs)  Probably the coolest car, ya know it’s hard to say, we’ve got a bunch of old muscle cars, and a couple cool little trucks.  I guess I’d have to say the 2008 Challenger SRT8 that we got.  It was the first edition numbered car, one of 6400 made, 450hp from the factory, just a badass car.  We used to take it out once or twice a month and drive it, and keep it in the garage most of the time.

AWAY-TEAM:  Wow!  Yeah, when I heard “Stingwray” , I’ve wanted a Corvette ever since I can remember, so I said I gotta ask him about that!

WAYNE STATIC:  Yeah, Tera’s car is awesome too, it’s all original.  It’s a ’79, original paint, original interior, so it’s really cool.  Before we got the Challenger, my Z-28 was my favorite car, but after driving 450hp with traction control and ginormous brakes so you can go fast and stop when you want it to, we don’t even drive the other cars anymore. (both laugh)

AWAY-TEAM:  Also on the Static-X front, what are the future plans for Static-X?

WAYNE STATIC:  I don’t have any plans right now.  I haven’t even talked to the other guys in the last couple years.  Everyone’s doing their thing, I’m having a great time.  I’ve got my band together, we’re finally on the road, my album’s finally out.  So for me it’s just kind of the start of this whole new journey, and that’s all I see in the near future.  I’m not opposed to putting Static-X back together at some point, but right now I’m gonna see this project through.

AWAY-TEAM:  Okay.  Now you recently received the “Best Metal Frontman”, award, deservedly so, at the Vegas Rocks! Awards.  I look at something genuine like that, and then I look at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.  They’ve snubbed some of the greatest musicians of all time, and then I just saw recently that the rap group Eric B. & Rakim are nominated for this year’s class.  What are your thoughts on that? And if they came knocking, say ten years down the road, would you accept the honor?

WAYNE STATIC:  If anyone wants to recognize something I’ve done, of course I will accept it.  But I agree with you that the Hall of Fame, as much as the Grammys and all of that is just a political thing.  People like us, we realize that, but alot of the rest of the world doesn’t.  When I was younger I didn’t realize that the Grammys weren’t real, ya know. (both laugh) I mean I would definitely graciously accept any award like that but, it is what it is, ya know.

AWAY-TEAM:  You’ve been in the music industry long enough to see the evolution from cassettes-to-CD’s-to-MP3′s, now the latest wave of the future is streaming.  There seems to be mixed reviews on that, some think it helps sell records, others think it takes away from sales, what are your thoughts on streaming and it’s impact on the artist or label?

WAYNE STATIC:  Well, in general, I hate the internet.  I wish it would die, I wish it would go away.  I think it ruined a lot of things.  It ruined music, it ruined people’s social skills, it ruined print, it ruined the world in my opinion. (laughs) It’s fucking Skynet from The Terminator, it’s gonna be the demise of civilization as we know it.  But, having said that, it is here to stay, and I use it to promote myself, because that’s just the way it is now.  As far as streaming, I think it’s cool.  I had my album streaming for an entire week before it came out, because if it’s good people are gonna talk about it.  The people who really go andd buy CD’s are gonna buy it, and the people who don’t buy CD’s are not gonna buy it either way.  So I’m all in support of it, obviously the streaming thing is a lower quality audio, and you can’t download it and all that crap… I mean, I’m sure you can, I’m sure they make programs for that… but it still sounds like shit.  So the people that are gonna buy the CD are gonna do it, and I think letting people hear it, they’re just gonna talk positive things and more people will end up buying the CD in the end.

AWAY-TEAM:  Yeah, there’s no such thing as bad promotion.  Last, but not least… I know you’re probably sick of hearing this, but obviously over the years you’ve been compared to the dude from the Slim Jim commercials…

WAYNE STATIC:  Not so much lately. (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs) …Well that’s a good thing!  So much so to the point that there were rumors that you were asked to be the spokesperson.  I want you to set the record straight, is there any truth to any of that?  And if not, can we give the people who still refer to you that way one final ‘Shut the fuck up!’?

WAYNE STATIC:  It’s true that they did approach me at one point to do some promotional stuff for them, and I turned it down.  Because I don’t think the way I look is a joke.  I look the way I look, because I think it’s cool.  I mean, I realize that some people think it’s a joke, but whatever, the reason I did it in the beginning is so that people remember me.  If you think I’m dumb looking, if you think I’m cool looking, either way people will remember me.  I’m one of the most recognizable rock stars that there’s probably ever been.

AWAY-TEAM:  Absolutely, you’re like a fucking brand!

WAYNE STATIC:  (laughs) Right.  But I did turn that down.

AWAY-TEAM:  Good for you! I see the reasoning behind it, and I definitely can appreciate that.  Wayne, thanks so much for your time.  It’s been a great pleasure and an honor.  Best of luck with the new album, the label, and everything that you do!

WAYNE STATIC:  Thanks man! It’s been nice talking to you.

AWAY-TEAM:  You too, take it easy.

WAYNE STATIC:  Bye.

For more Wayne Static including tour dates and to purchase music visit his official website here.

Special thanks to Wayne Static for so graciously giving me his time, and to Sammy Mazur at VQPR for making it all happen.

Hardcore veterans TERROR have now released their fourth and final teaser trailer for their upcoming DVD, Defining The Faith.

Due out November 1st in North America, Defining The Faith is included in the special CD/DVD reissue of Keepers Of The Faith. Produced, edited, and authored by Carlo Oppermann and Ambitious.Films, Defining The Faith features a full live set that is composed of three different TERROR shows in three distinct settings: a small club (Cafe Central in Weinheim on June 28th), a big hall (Essigfabrik in Köln on June 29th), and a massive European festival (Mach1 festival in Montabaur on June 24th). The complete set-list for the DVD is below.

Defining The Faith live DVD set-list
Stick Tight
Out Of My Face
One With The Underdogs
Push it Away
Never Alone
Lowest Of The Low
Betrayer
Spit My Rage
Always The Hard Way
Keep Your Mouth Shut
Hell And Back
Life & Death
You’re Caught
You’re Enemies Are Mine
Overcome
Keepers Of The Faith

Defining The Faith also features a European tour documentary with band interviews and backstage footage—and as yet another additional bonus, the band’s four music videos from Keepers Of The Faith (“Stick Tight”, “Keepers Of The Faith”, “Return To Strength”, and “You’re Caught“) will also be included in the DVD along with the making-of their latest music video, “You’re Caught“!

With hours of live footage, behind-the-scenes interviews, music videos, and more, this special CD/DVD-set is a must-have for all hardcore TERROR fans! Be sure to pick up your copy of Keepers Of The Faith/Defining The Faith in stores on November 1st!

In support of this upcoming release, TERROR is now back on the road with THE ACACIA STRAIN, STRAY FROM THE PATH, and HARM’S WAY for the “God Damn” tour. Dates for the trek are below, so check to see when TERROR will be coming soon to a city near you!

“God Damn” tour dates feat. TERROR with THE ACACIA STRAIN, STRAY FROM THE PATH, HARM’S WAY
Oct 26–Clifton Park, NY @ Northern Lights
Oct 27–Jermyn, PA @ Eleanor Rigby’s
Oct 28–Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
Oct 29–Columbus, OH @ The Outland
Oct 30–Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
Oct 31–Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theatre
Nov 1–Cedar Falls, IA @ The Wheelhouse
Nov 3–Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
Nov 4–Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Nov 5–Boise, ID @ The Venue
Nov 6–Spokane, WA @ The A Club
Nov 7–Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Nov 8–Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
Nov 10–Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
Nov 11–Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
Nov 12–Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
Nov 13–San Diego, CA @ Soma
Nov 14–Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
Nov 15–Midland, TX @ The Pine Box **TERROR co-headline with TRAPPED UNDER ICE**
Nov 16–Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio
Nov 17–Austin, TX @ Emo’s Inside
Nov 18–San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
Nov 19–Dallas, TX @ The Door
Nov 20–Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
Nov 21–Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Nov 22–Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
Nov 23–Covington, KY @ The Mad Hatter
Nov 25–Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
Nov 26–Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
Nov 27–Haverhill, MA @ Anchors Up **TERROR headlining off-date**
Nov 28–Montreal, QC @ Underworld **TERROR headlining off-date**
Nov 29–Toronto, ON @ The Poor Alex Theatre **TERROR headlining off-date**
Nov 30–Buffalo, NY @ The Funeral Home **TERROR headlining off-date**
Dec 1–Smithtown, NY @ The Smithtown Masonic Temple **TERROR headlining off-date**
Dec 2–New York, NY @ Santos (Downstairs) **TERROR headlining off-date**
Dec 3–Washington DC @ DC9 **TERROR headlining off-date**
Dec 4–Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbary **TERROR headlining off-date**
























For more TERROR click here.

Dane Wolf, known to many throughout the metal community as a skilled guitar tech, tour manager, and overall kind & hardworking human being, was badly beaten in Denver, Colorado last week while on the Death Angel/Testament/Anthrax tour. As a result, he had to drop off the tour and was recently released from the hospital in Denver.

Dane’s mother, Jenna Wolf, issued the following statement on Dane Wolf’s Give Forward fundraising page: “Please help in whatever way you can by assisting with his medical bills and upcoming travel expenses to and from Colorado when things go to court. There will be additional medical costs in the future as well, as he continues to recover and requires follow-up care. The goal has now been raised due to the amazing response of Dane’s friends and family. Thank you so much for your continued support, and for sharing the link, and his story!”

The goal is to raise $7,500.00 to pay Dane’s medical & travel expenses. Thus far, $3,760 (50%) has been raised. YOU can help a metalhead who worked a metal tour you attended by visiting GiveForward.com/DANEWOLF and donate what you can. Every dollar helps!

Monday’s online update from Dane Wolf: “The doctor’s appt. went well today, and I have been deemed travel ready and will be finishing my recovery with my Mother who has been worried sick, and kitty cat in Saint Louis! I leave on my first flight in a few hours. My brain IS there, and looks alright stitches come out in another week, chicks dig scars, right? I am trying a different pain medication to see if it can reduce side effects, as I am still battling major headaches as my fractures heal and the swelling subsides. I will be meeting with a specialist in Saint Louis to determine if I will require surgery to repair my orbital socket, fingers crossed. None of these options would have been available without your help, I am so grateful to spend the rest of my recovery with Mom, because we all know that no one takes care of you like mom does. The many positive actions this week so far outweigh the negative in my mind, that I can’t help but look forward to getting healed and paying it back to others. I will be back in The Bay with all you crazy fuckers when I’m fully Dane again, and back out on the road with my brothers and sisters when duty calls. Thanks to my Uncle Brad, cousin Brandon, doctors, nurses, police, and friends in Denver for watching over me I will welcome seeing my Saint Louis friends as soon as my body tells me I’m ready to do so, as I will be strictly following doctor’s orders to give it the full opportunity to rest and recover as I have been. Thank you all, so much, once again.
Much Love
Dane”

Visit the Dane Wolf Facebook Group here and post some get-well messages.
Every positive word helps!

MACHINE HEAD have released a video for their single Locust off their latest album Unto The Locust. Many (including myself) are calling this the best album MACHINE HEAD have ever released, and also calling it the best album of 2011.

MACHINE HEAD are currently touring overseas to close out the year. They are expected to return stateside and tour throughout the spring and summer in support of Unto The Locust.

The video is directed by veteran MACHINE HEAD video director Mike Sloat and features motion picture-quality computer-generated imagery that includes a sinister swarm of locusts enveloping the band in a cloud of darkness and chaos, much like the ominous track itself. The incredible effects were all created by a team of veteran Hollywood CGI artists and monster makers including album art designer Paul Gerrard who all helped bring Paul‘s amazing album artwork to life.









For more MACHINE HEAD click here.

Fort Myers, FL – October 28, 2011 – Puerto Rican Active Rock Band MESSAGE TO VENUS has released their new Music Video for the single, “Universal You”. The track, which is from their February 2011 album The Envelope has already added to commercial radio in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico where it has made a big impact on Alpha-Rock 102.5-FM and enjoys regular rotation on Sirius XM Octane, MusicChoice, KXXR, WJBX, WWBN and more!

The video, directed by Andres Ramirez, features scenes from the upcoming action movie Witness: El Testigo, and can be seen below.

With a new album, Victims & Villains, set to be released in early 2012, the band has its sights set on major label showcasing, a small touring jaunt of both the U.S. and their hometown Puerto Rico and a full-fledged campaign backing their next radio single in January.

MESSAGE TO VENUS is Jandre Nadal (Vocals/Guitar), John Feliciano (Guitar), Edgar Ramos (Bass), and JuanMa Font (Drums).

While the buzz is currently huge for this band of talented young rockers, GODSMACK drummer, Shannon Larkin, has said that MESSAGE TO VENUS is, “A true winner! A big sounding band with huge production, songs and talent!”

Check out MESSAGE TO VENUS by heading to their website, where you can join all their social pages, see videos & photos, listen to music and find out when they’ll be touring your area.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

In what was billed as the big ticket music event of the year, Metallica‘s first performance in India — scheduled for Friday in Gurgaon near Delhi as part of F1 Rocks, the country’s inaugural Formula One race — was cancelled by organizers due to “technical” reasons.

“We regret to announce that due to technical difficulties the Metallica show at Gurgaon has been postponed until Saturday. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If there is a cancellation, the ticket amount will be refunded,” read a statement issued by promoters DNA Entertainment Networks.

As news of the cancellation broke just a couple of hours before the metal giants were due to hit the stage late Friday afternoon, some of the 25,000 fans began to riot, trashing the stage and the gear. The ensuing chaos eventually led to the event being called off entirely with little hope of the concert taking place Saturday. Some TV reports claimed equipment worth $200,000 was damaged while many fans were reportedly injured in a stampede at the Leisure Valley venue. Video of the chaos quickly made its way to YouTube.

Metallica is still set to perform in Bangalore on Sunday.

From METALLICA.com:
We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans.

We are deeply disappointed with this news as we were looking forward to our first experience in India as much as you guys were. Keep watching for updates here as additional details are determined and confirmed.














You can read more here.

While GARBAGE is busy in the studio recording their new unnamed album, they have posted their contribution to the tribute to U2‘s Auchtung Baby turning 20 years old this year.

Garbage has recorded their version of Who’s Going To Ride Your Wild Horses which will be included with the following tracklisting:
01 Nine Inch Nails: “Zoo Station”
02 U2: “Even Better Than the Real Thing” (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
03 Damien Rice: “One”
04 Patti Smith: “Until the End of the World”
05 Garbage: “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses”
06 Depeche Mode: “So Cruel”
07 Snow Patrol: “Mysterious Ways”
08 The Fray: “Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World”
09 Gavin Friday: “The Fly”
10 The Killers: “Ultraviolet (Light My Way)”
11 Glasvegas: “Acrobat”
12 Jack White: “Love Is Blindness”

The album is set to be released October 31st.

For more GARBAGE click here.

There’s a new band out of the L.A., Ca area. And they go by the name Huntress. They just released a video for their song entitled Eight Of Swords. Their album is forthcoming (?).

For more HUNTRESS click here.

From Change.org:
On Wednesday, August 24th, 2011, agents for the U.S. government executed four search warrants on Gibson Guitar’s facilities in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, and seized several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars. The raids forced Gibson to cease manufacturing operations and send workers home for the day while armed agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service executed the search warrants for ebony and rosewood that was imported from India.

The federal officials claim that Gibson violated the Lacey Act, which stipulates that a company cannot import wood in a manner that’s against the laws of the country the wood is coming from. However, Gibson has complied with Indian law and no concerns have been raised by the Indian government.

“Agents seized wood that was Forest Stewardship Council controlled,” Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz said. “Gibson has a long history of supporting sustainable and responsible sources of wood and has worked diligently with entities such as the Rainforest Alliance and Greenpeace to secure FSC-certified supplies. The wood seized on August 24 satisfied FSC standards.”

Juszkiewicz believes that the Justice Department is bullying Gibson without filing charges. This is the second time Gibson has been raided by the federal government (the first was in 2009), yet no charges have been filed and the materials confiscated on both occasions remain in federal hands.

From NPR.org:
But Juszkiewicz says the government won’t tell him exactly how — or if — his company has violated that law.

“We’re in this really incredible situation. We have been implicated in wrongdoing and we haven’t been charged with anything,” he says. “Our business has been injured to millions of dollars. And we don’t even have a court we can go to and say, ‘Look, here’s our position.‘”

The U.S. Justice Department won’t comment about the case it’s preparing, but a court motion filed in June asserts Gibson‘s Madagascar ebony was contraband. It quotes emails that seem to show Gibson taking steps to maintain a supply chain that’s been connected to illegal timber harvests.

From the Wall Street Journal:
The law ensnaring Gibson is the Lacey Act of 1900, originally passed to regulate trade in bird feathers used for hats and amended in 2008 to cover wood and other plant products. It requires companies to make detailed disclosures about wood imports and bars the purchase of goods exported in violation of a foreign country’s laws.

Leonard Krause, a consultant in Eugene, Ore., who advises companies on complying with the Lacey Act, is telling clients they should hire lawyers in countries where they obtain products. “How many people know the statutes in India?” Mr. Krause said. “The net effect is that it raises everybody’s cost of doing business.”

Federal agents first raided Gibson factories in November 2009 and were back again Aug. 24, seizing guitars, wood and electronic records. Gene Nix, a wood product engineer at Gibson, was questioned by agents after the first raid and told he could face five years in jail.

“Can you imagine a federal agent saying, ‘You’re going to jail for five years’ and what you do is sort wood in the factory?” said Mr. Juszkiewicz, recounting the incident. “I think that’s way over the top.” Gibson employees, he said, are being “treated like drug criminals.”

Mr. Nix hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

From FoxNews.com:
What’s most puzzling about this case is that India is perfectly happy to ship the fingerboard ‘blanks’ to the United States. In a letter dated July 13, the deputy director general of foreign trade for India confirmed that “fingerboards made of rosewood and ebony is (sic) freely exportable.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife offered no comment about the discrepancy. But people involved in the import and export of musical instruments and parts believe the US Department of Justice offered its own interpretation of Indian law. Even though India saw no reason for an enforcement action, the U.S. did.

There was a discrepancy in the import of this latest shipment of wood. It was listed with an improper tariff code, which the importer, Luthiers Mercantile International of Windsor, Calif., claimed was a clerical error by a junior employee and tried to clear up. But rather than talk to the importer and Gibson about it, the Justice Department dispatched U.S. Fish and Wildlife and DHS agents to raid the Gibson compounds.

Gibson feels it has been unfairly targeted. “We are being singled out. Very much so. Every music instrument company in the United States uses rosewood fingerboards. Period. And they’re in the same state – they’re buying from the same suppliers, they’re using the same shippers.”

And more from Foxnews.com:
Reps. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., on Thursday (today) plan to introduce a proposal to amend the so-called Lacey Act. The expansive law makes it illegal to buy, sell or travel with certain wood products, and requires owners to carry specific documentation for others. The lawmakers say this threatens musicians, antique dealers and others who travel with products containing rare plant or wood materials.
The amendments would “grandfather” all instruments and furniture made before May 22, 2008, when the law was last updated to cover exotic woods, so owners of those products would not face prosecution.

The amendment would also try to clarify portions of the act that require compliance with foreign laws, calling on the government to put together a database of all relevant laws. Plus the amendment would reduce the paperwork necessary to import and export musical instruments and furniture manufactured before that 2008 date.

——————
EDITOR’S NOTE:

Ok, so we’ve all read about what the Government is doing to Gibson, and how they are being mistreated and targeted. But where in all of this (and please go to the links and read all of the stories plus the hundreds of other articles about the same thing I didn’t link to) did anyone see WHY Gibson was being targeted? Sure Fox News said that it is because the Gibson CEO was a Republican. And the reason Martin and other US companies hadn’t been was because they were Democrats. I call bullshit. We have 2.5 wars currently ongoing (.5 being Libya), an economic crisis that is beginning to look like the Great Depression of 1929 was a minor blip in economic hardship, a President who is still working on his Healthcare package, and job stimulus package while removing troops from Iraq ASAP. You think he has time to target a Republican owned company that just makes guitars? And let’s not forget FOX News is a Republican lap dog.

Or, could it simply be that Gibson has actually made a mistake, honest or otherwise, and are actually guilty of using wood ‘illegally‘ gained? Sure they are crying ‘foul‘ so they don’t look guilty, but really, at the end of the day, do YOU care that they used rosewood illegally harvested in India or some other country for their inlays? No. And neither do I.

Yes it looks a little funny that they haven’t been charged after the raid in 2009, and have been raided again and STILL not charged, but have you heard about the West Memphis Three???? Stranger more fucked up things have sadly happened in our judicial system.

If Gibson is guilty, shame on them. Ok, again I don’t care if they are guilty. Who cares where the wood came from? Besides tree huggers and our Government that is.

If the government IS targeting them for some reason, WTF are they thinking? Why would you target a company that builds all of it’s top of the line GIBSON guitars IN the USA? Sure their lesser brands are made overseas, but their actual GIBSON lines are made here in the US. So Wal-Mart can import every conceivable piece of shit manufactured in China and screw the US employees out of benefits left and right, and they are ‘Government Target Exempt‘. But Gibson is being targeted for INLAYS for its guitars?

Of course this will (or won’t so far) play out in the courts for some time to come. It will be interesting to see the fallout and how this shakes out for Gibson.

What can you do? Well, if you don’t care where Gibson gets it’s wood, or if you think they are squeaky clean and should have been raided, you can go here and sign this petition from Change.org. You can also post a link to this editorial everywhere.

Now go buy a Gibson guitar, support MADE IN USA, and create some mad riffs so I have something to write about next week.