Away Team

Are you tired of the mundane societal pressures and trends that make music generic, sterile, and emotionless? Can you remember the last time when a song actually made you feel something other than wanting to buy the latest pair of designer jeans, or take a dump? Do you wish your emo neighbors would just cut themselves already? Are you ready to party?

Don’t fret! COCAINE MOUSTACHE’s debut album, On The Mirror, is ready for the world to inhale now with purchase from iTunes or CD Baby! The album will go on sale in Canada in January 2012. An orgy for the ears, this is the perfect soundtrack to a world that is in need of a killer party.

Singer White Willie Sniffsum only has one thing to say, “If this record isn’t the best thing you’ve heard in decades, GO FUCK YOURSELF!”

Conceived in 2009 when an ongoing party turned into a band, COCAINE MOUSTACHE created “Good Time” songs, influenced by soul, rock, blues, and funk with a hard edge. COCAINE MOUSTACHE joined forces in 2010 with Reversed Records and Producer/Juno Award winning engineer Rob Shallcross, who has captured these epic sessions. The result is this nine track sonic cocktail of booze-fueled anthems that will be one of most dangerous sounding rock records to come out since the ’80′s. Starting with a sell-out crowd at their first show, COCAINE MOUSTACHE quickly made a name for themselves. This uncontrollable party has helped them to land opening slots for Nashville Pussy, 3 Inches Of Blood, and The Dayglo Abortions.

COCAINE MOUSTACHE “On The Mirror” tracklisting:
1. The Drip
2. Out Of My Hands
3. Better Back In Time
4. The Pledge
5. Cocaine Moustache
6. Garbage Bags And Shovels
7. On The Mirror
8. Worst Of Me
9. Bleed My Last Breath

COCAINE MOUSTACHE is:
White Willie Sniffsum (Vocals)
Vinnie Railtrail (Bass)
Bill ”Hundred Dollar” Rollins (Guitar)
Dr. Cleanplate (Drums)
Schnick Von Schlutzzz (Guitar)









For more COCAINE MOUSTACHE click here.

First on Saturday December 10th we read this update by Jack Russell (original Great White vocalist):

“To all my friends:
Just wanted to announce that I will be coming back with my band, GREAT WHITE, and a BRAND NEW lineup.
“My new bandmates are some of the most incredible musicians I have ever had the privilege to play with: Matthew Johnson, former guitarist for GREAT WHITE; Derrick Pontier, former drummer for GREAT WHITE; Dario Seixas, former bassist for FIREHOUSE and the Stephen Pearcy band; and Robby Lochner, former guitarist for Rob Halford‘s band and Cherie Currie.
“I am very excited about this new beginning.
“I am feeling better than ever, despite any rumors you may hear to the contrary.
“Unfortunately, and as confusing as it will be, my former bandmates and their manager have decided to continue to tour next year under the name I created, GREAT WHITE. I will be touring under the name GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL to try avoid any confusion.
“So now the true fans will know the difference.
“I will be announcing tour dates as soon as they become available.
“Our first performance will be at the pre-NAMM Jam on January 14, 2012. Only shows advertised as GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL will include myself on vocals.
“I have missed all of you terribly and look forward to seeing you all on the road. You have no idea how much your love and devotion has meant to me during what has been one of the hardest periods of my life.
“Happy holidays! Much peace and love to you and your families. Have a blessed New Year.
“Yours, as always, Jack Russell, founder and lead vocalist, GREAT WHITE
“P.S.: JACK IS BACK!!!!!!!!”

Ok, so Jack Russell has undergone several surgeries over the last couple of years, and according to the actual GREAT WHITE band, it is all because of rampant drug use. The ‘original‘ GREAT WHITE released this statement yesterday in response to Jack‘s announcement on Saturday:

“First and foremost, our main concern is our fans.
“We have spent 30 years trying to be the best we can be and bring our fans the top quality of music they have become accustomed to and deserve.
“It saddens us today to have to respond to Jack Russell‘s announcement.
“Jack Russell announced on Facebook on Saturday, December 10, 2011 that he was returning to GREAT WHITE with a new lineup. This was a complete shock to the entire GREAT WHITE family.
“This couldn’t be further from the truth.
“As we all know, Jack Russell has been fighting drug and alcohol abuse for many years. He has had numerous stints in and out of treatment facilities and hospitals.
“In 2010 Jack‘s physical condition deteriorated to the point that he routinely fell on and off stage, forgot lyrics and we had to cancel shows due to his inability to perform.
“In the past two years, Jack has had five major surgeries and has almost died three times. His drug abuse was so bad that his body began to shut down and ultimately resulted in colostomy surgery from a perforated bowel (he nearly died during this procedure). The colostomy surgery saved his life, but vanquished him with a colostomy bag for a year.
“We stood by Jack; we supported his sobriety and eagerly awaited his return.
“Jack was first slated to return to GREAT WHITE this past summer. Unfortunately, his frail body and his drug abuse prohibited this event. In the following months, Jack had three more surgeries that delayed his return. Finally, he chose February 2012 as his target return date.
“We had five clear conditions for Jack‘s return:
1. Jack had to be drug free. Off all opiates, methadone, Valium or Xanax.
2. Jack had to be off prednisone (a steroid that ate away at Jack‘s internal organs that caused the perforated bowl).
3. Jack had to be sober and off crack cocaine and all alcohol.
4. Jack had to agree to weekly drug tests.
5. Jack must attend weekly meetings for AA and NA.
“Last week Jack notified management he would not make it back by February 2012. Jack referred to his doctor’s opinion that he would not be ready. He had just started physical rehabilitation again and his legs and back needed more rehab to handle the rigors of touring. Jack thought he would be ready by May to start the summer touring season. However, he wasn’t sure if he could be off the methadone by then or ever. Management reiterated that he had to be completely drug-free for his return. He owed it to the fans. He owed it to us. He owed it to himself.
“Out of nowhere, we all received an email on Saturday, December 10, 2011 stating that he was coming back now and that he was starting his own (a different lineup) GREAT WHITE. As you can imagine, this was shocking, to say the least. We were saddened and hurt from this shocking announcement.
“We only want to do right by our fans.
“We aim to give the best possible show and have every fan leave the show feeling they got their money’s worth.
“This band is sober and music is our passion. With Jack Russell not being drug-free and unable to physically perform on stage, it will only let down our fans.
“Time and again, Jack Russell has let down his band and fans. His addictions have ruined his life the past eight years.
“We will not sit by and enable our brother to abuse alcohol and drugs to kill himself. We have lost too many loved ones to this madness. After the passing of our dear friend, the talented Jani Lane, it has become more evident that this has to stop. It must end.
“Since Jack‘s departure in August 2010, GREAT WHITE has performed almost 100 concerts. We’ve had no shortened sets, cancelations or song choice limitations due to vocal issues.
“In this struggling economy, fans need and deserve more — not less. We owe it to our fans and the promoters to not to allow Jack Russell and some garage band to hurt GREAT WHITE‘s classic rock legacy and bright future.
“Jack Russell does not have the right to start his own GREAT WHITE or use the name without our names in the lineup.
“We will litigate any promoter that books ‘Jack Russell’s GREAT WHITE‘ or uses any logo featuring the name GREAT WHITE.
“We give you our word, we will continue through 2012 and beyond to provide you with the top-quality musical performances you have been accustomed and deserve.
“We hope and pray that Jack gets healthy, happy and sober. His health and well being is the only thing that matters.”
GREAT WHITE featuring Terry Ilous

The ‘original’ GREAT WHITE currently consists of: Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals).

——————————–
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Ok, so we have two L.A. Guns which nobody wants. We want one L.A. Guns with Phil Lewis singing. Who cares who the guitarist is? Tracii Guns was never Yngwie, Eddy, or Jimi so who cares if he is in the band or not? We don’t need two different bands playing the same music under the same name. Get that Jack Russell? We don’t need two GREAT WHITE bands! We need one (well, do we really even need one???) band playing the hits we’ve loved for the last 20 years. And if you can’t get your shit straight and get healthy enough to join the actual band that is touring under the GREAT WHITE name, then you don’t need to be touring under another GREAT WHITE band name.

There’s some stupid shit that goes on in the music industry, but this has got to be the dumbest.

TOOL has officially unveiled the first batch of shows for a 2012 winter tour. The dates begin on January 14 in Reno, Nevada, with 11 more shows confirmed so far.

TOOL tour dates:
Jan. 14 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
Jan. 15 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
Jan. 17 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Arena
Jan. 18 – Albuquerque, NM – Tingley Coliseum
Jan. 20 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre
Jan. 24 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
Jan. 25 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Jan. 26 – London, ON – John Labatt Centre
Jan. 28 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Jan. 29 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center
Jan. 31 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 08 – Duluth, GA – Gwinnett Arena


More dates are expected to be announced soon, though Maynard James Keenan starts anther tour with PUSCIFER on February 23rd.









For more TOOL click here.

Lacuna Coil has released their video for Trip The Darkness off their forthcoming album Dark Adrenaline to be released January 24th.

Lacuna Coil will soon head out with Megadeth, Motorhead, and Volbeat on the Gigantour 2012.

The first Gigantour 2012 dates announced are:
January
26 – Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ
27 – Mohegan Sun Arena – Uncasville, CT
28 – Theater at Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
29 – Tsongas Arena – Lowell, MA
February
1 – Glens Falls Civic Center – Glens Falls, NY
2 – Colisee Pepsi – Quebec City, QC
3 – Bell Centre – Montreal, QC
5 – K-Rock Centre – Kingston, ON
7 – General Motors Centre – Oshawa, ON
8 – Copps Coliseum – Hamilton, ON
9 – Palace of Auburn Hills – Auburn Hills, MI
10 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
12 – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
14 – Myth – St. Paul, MN
16 – Prairieland – Saskatoon, SK
17 – Shaw Conference Centre – Edmonton, AB
18 – Big 4 Building – Calgary, AB
20 – Abbotsford Ent & Sports Centre – Abbotsford, BC
21 – Showare Center – Kent, WA
23 – Event Center at San Jose State University – San Jose, CA
24 – Gibson Amphitheatre – Universal City, CA
25 – Comerica Theatre – Phoenix, AZ
26 – Tingley Coliseum – Albuquerque, NM
28 – The Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
More dates to be announced soon.









For more Lacuna Coil click here.

Two of the most beloved albums in the Styx catalog are 1977′s The Grand Illusion and 1978′s Pieces Of Eight. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time.

This 20-song two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all Styx fans. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature “Putting On The Show,” an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle.

Selling millions of records worldwide since their 1972 Chicago inception, Styx have branded themselves as one of the greatest American progressive rock bands. The current line-up consists of James “J.Y.” Young (vocals, guitars, keyboards); Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars); Todd Sucherman (drums); Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards); Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals) and Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar).

Track Listing:
Intro/1978
The Grand Illusion
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Superstars
Come Sail Away
Miss America
Man In The Wilderness
Castle Walls
The Grand Finale
Great White Hope
I’m Okay
Sing For The Day
The Message
Lords Of The Ring
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Queen Of Spades
Renegade
Keyboard Interlude
Pieces Of Eight
Aku-Aku

To purchase STYX: The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live click here.
For more STYX click here.

Friday December 9th METALLICA took to the stage at the Fillmore in San Francisco for their 3rd night of 4 to celebrate their 30th Anniversary with their Fan Club. The night’s guests included Jerry Cantrell, Jim Martin, Pepper Keenan, Glenn Danzig, Jason Newsted, and Rob Halford.

The setlist for the night:

1. Suicide & Redemption
2. Master of Puppets
3. …And Justice for All
4. Of Wolf & Man
5. Fade to Black
6. The Thing That Should Not Be
7. I Disappear
8. The Outlaw Torn
9. Hell and Back
10. Blitzkrieg (w/ MetClubber Joseph Guariglia)
11. For Whom the Bell Tolls (w/ Jerry Cantrell)
12. Nothing Else Matters (w/ Jerry Cantrell)
13. So What (w/ Animal)
14. Tuesday’s Gone (w/ Gary Rossington, Pepper Keenan, Jerry Cantrell, and Jim Martin)
15. Fuel (w/ Jason Newsted)
16. Fight Fire With Fire (w/ Jason Newsted)
17. Die, Die My Darling (w/ Glenn Danzig)
18. Last Caress (w/ Glenn Danzig)
19. Green Hell (w/ Glenn Danzig)
20. Rapid Fire (w/ Rob Halford)
21. Seek & Destroy (w/ Jason Newsted, Jerry Cantrell, Pepper Keenan, Jim Martin, Glenn Danzig, Animal, Laaz Rockit, and the Soul Rebels Brass Band)






The fourth and final night METALLICA pulled out all the stops and history was truly made as none other than DAVE MUSTAINE joined the band for Jump In The Fire, Phantom Lord, and Metal Militia. Then Dave and Metallica were joined by Ron McGovney and Loyd Grant for Hit The Lights! Geezer Butler and Ozzy himself joined Metallica for Iron Man, Paranoid, and Sabbra Cadabra. Jason Newsted was once again on hand and played on King Nothing and Whiplash. Death Angel started the show off and joined the band for Seek and Destroy finale.

The setlist for night four:
1. Orion
2. Through the Never
3. Ride the Lightning
4. The God That Failed
5. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
6. Rebel of Babylon
7. Blackened (w/ MetClubbers Dennis & Annette Diaz)
8. Dirty Window (w/ Bob Rock)
9. Frantic (w/ Bob Rock)
10. Sabbra Cadabra (w/ Geezer Butler)
11. Iron Man (w/ Ozzy Osbourne & Geezer Butler)
12. Paranoid (w/ Ozzy Osbourne & Geezer Butler)
13. King Nothing (w/ Jason Newsted)
14. Whiplash (w/ Jason Newsted)
15. Motorbreath (w/ Hugh Tanner)
16. Phantom Lord (w/ Dave Mustaine)
17. Jump in the Fire (w/ Dave Mustaine)
18. Metal Militia (w/ Dave Mustaine)
19. Hit the Lights (w/ Lloyd Grant, Dave Mustaine, & Ron McGovney)
20. Seek & Destroy (w/ Jason Newsted, Dave Mustaine, Lloyd Grant, Ron McGovney, Hugh Tanner, Mark Osegueda, and the Soul Rebels)

DEEP PURPLE

Deep Purple + Orchestra Live At Montreux 2011

Eagle Vision

5 out of 10

For DEEP PURPLE fans there are a ton of great DVDs that have been released over the last couple years that give you a look into the different versions of the band and show you why DEEP PURPLE should rank at the top of everyone’s list for greatest band ever, and most influential band! The fact that the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame continues to snub them is ridiculous and just shows you why it is completely irrelevant and a joke.

The latest DEEP PURPLE offering is a recent live show shot in 2011 in Switzerland at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The hook is that DP was touring with an orchestra and on July 16th they filmed the show for a DVD release.

There have been many hard rock and metal bands that have been performing lately with an Orchestra with varying results. Most notably was the biggest hard rock/metal band in the world, METALLICA performing with the San Francisco Symphony under the direction of Michael Kamen (R.I.P.). The resulting CD/DVD of those two shows are phenomenal and set the standard for what a rock and symphony show should be.

KISS recorded a live show with the Sydney Symphony and it just doesn’t translate well at all. Dennis Deyoung performed STYX songs with a symphony. The point is most of them don’t translate well. METALLICA’s worked because Michael Kamen wrote the music for the symphony that COMPLIMENTED the music of the band, and didn’t just rework the band’s songs for strings, woodwinds, brass, etc. If you listen to the Just Symphony audio track of the DVD S&M you won’t be able to figure out what songs they are playing most of the time because they are not just playing the song the way the band wrote it with different instruments, they are playing all new original pieces that compliment the band’s songs.

DEEP PURPLE has always worked in and around symphonies from time to time with varying success. When John Lord (former keyboardist) wrote Deep Purple: Concerto for Group and Orchestra it worked because it was a symphonic piece and written as thus. It wasn’t a rock song or songs that they had the symphony play on. It was an experiment melding rock and symphony and written as such. That is why it worked.

Their new DVD doesn’t work. Because of the reasons stated above. The symphony is playing along with the band, not playing to compliment the band. They aren’t playing original pieces that work within the framework of classic DEEP PURPLE songs like Highway Star, Woman From Tokyo, Knockin’ At Your Back Door, Lazy, and Smoke On The Water. And it is this reason that the symphony here seems to take the teeth and the edge right out of the songs. Instead of building up the songs the symphony here seems to actually water down the DEEP PURPLE sound. It is unfortunate really because in any band’s music would work well with symphonic treatments it would be DEEP PURPLE’s. But on this show it is simply not the case.

I am always heralding ANY release by DEEP PURPLE because I feel they have never received the respect they deserve as being one of the first to perform Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Yes Black Sabbath is regarded as the Fathers of Heavy Metal but Deep Purple started a year before Sabbath did. They’ve released more albums, and pushed the envelope further than Black Sabbath ever could.

Sadly, I can’t recommend this DVD as it is just not a good representation of DEEP PURPLE and their legacy. But there are plenty more CDs and DVDs out there that are worthy of your time and I strongly suggest you go check them out. You’ll thank me later.









For more DEEP PURPLE click here.

ISABLLE’S GIFT

Possession with Intent

Isabelle’s Gift Label

8 out of 10

South Carolina’s ISABELLE’S GIFT have been described as ’The second most dangerous band in the world’. Their ‘balls out’ raw energy approach to hard rock is very reminiscent of early Guns & Roses. And with their lyrical content wavering between illicit drug use, child molestation, rampant self immolation and desecration, titty bars, cocaine pentagrams, lascivious worship of the female form and orgiastic liquor consumption, it’s really no wonder they wear that tag as a badge of honor.

Their latest album, Possession with Intent, isn’t just another Isabelle’s Gift album; it is a middle finger to the state of rock and roll. It’s a .45 caliber bullet to your temple. It’s everything a good hard rock album should be, and then some.

Upon first listen, as the opening track Million Dollar Joke begins, you may think to yourself, ‘Self, why is Nickelback blaring from my speakers?’ And you wouldn’t be far off. The opening riff could be pulled right off the latest Nickelback disc. And this isn’t a bad thing, as it is a killer riff; it just grabbed me immediately and made me check to make sure I put the right disc in my stereo. Even after the bass and drums kick in, it still doesn’t quite have that IG signature sound to it, until it breaks down, and as Chris Sutton’s voice comes in, you sit back, relax, and begin the descent into monster swinging riffs, and a cavalcade of madness, piss, and vinegar from one of rock’s unheralded best frontmen out there today.

While Million Dollar Joke may be a pleasant ‘slight’ departure for the band, Sonofabitch is 100% born and bred Isabelle’s Gift fare. I hate to say ‘classic guitar sound’ of Kyle and James because most of you have sadly never even heard of IG until right now. But the tone, the riffs, the rawness is all IG and for those of us privileged enough to be in the know for several years, it has become a signature sound.

Sonofabitch and 88 show the anger and venom that boil beneath the surface of the best of Isabelle’s Gift’s music. From the strung out junkie redneck vibe to the white trash romance gone bad, to the simple misunderstood man standing amongst the shit hole that is his life somehow; the music is a bombastic rock and roll soundtrack to the glorious highs and lows of being at times simultaneously high and low.

It seems impossible to do at times, and not many can do it as well as IG, but from one lyrical line to the next they can celebrate the excesses of music and drugs, of tittybar superstars and pill head rockstars, the highest highs that only succeed in bringing on the lowest of the lows. The band doesn’t glorify the lifestyle they may lead and or portray in their music, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that there is some sick and twisted shit going on in lead singer Chris Sutton’s head to bring out a song such as Edward 40 Hands or Lazy Suzan.

The nihilistic excesses of rock and roll are alive and well and the band named after a sexually transmitted disease is flying their scars, demons, and drive high, loud, and proud. Nothing exceeds like excess and Isabelle’s Gift is here to prove that creed.

My only complaint is that the second half of the album is/was their last EP. So if you are already following the band, then you are only getting what amounts to two EPs. Bubblegum Diesel (Sunnshine, Kill the Cheerleader, Save the World, and West Virginia) then 4 new songs, (Million Dollar Joke, 88, Sonofabitch, and Haulin’ Oats and Ass) and a reworked Edward 40 Hands off their last full length album American Idol.

Still, all told, the nine songs that make up Possession with Intent are better than almost anything you are listening to right now. And sure as shit it is 100 times better than ‘the most dangerous band in the world’s’ Chinese Democracy.

Yes, while this should really be considered an EP of new music, it will surely be on my top ten list of albums for 2011. Because even 4 new Isabelle’s Gift songs are better than no Isabelle’s Gift and because they are better than EVERYTHING you can hear on FM radio today.

Download Possession with Intent on amazon.com and iTunes today. You’ll thank me later.

For more Isabelle’s Gift click here.