Black Sabbath set to play this year’s Lollapalooza Festival in Grant Park, Chicago once taking place August 3-5, 2012.

http://www.lollapalooza.com/

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I first became interested in BLUE OCTOBER in 2007 after I listened to their 2006 release, Foiled. A part of the genre I don’t usually find myself having a gravitation towards. But some of the music and some of the lyrics had me intrigued. So when I knew I would be afforded the opportunity to photograph Blue October, and review their performance, I was thrilled.

The night at The Pullo Performimg Arts Center began with an acoustic performance by singer songwriter Justin Furstenfeld. It was a 25 minute solo set that included heartfelt, personal lyrics entwined with guitar and an electronically created drum beat that seems to have shed some light to the audience what Justin had experienced in his past. Meaningful and passionate peppered with jokes and laughter lent itself to a very intimate connection with a man so instrumental in leading BLUE OCTOBER.

Next up was GIRL IN A COMA. I really had not listened to any of this trio’s music prior to their set. These women started right out of the gate with hard rocking tunes that had decent riffs and hooks. Hard rocking and edgy, they proved that the audience should take them seriously as rockers. The growls of front woman Nina Diaz, the rupturing bass guitar of Jenn Alva and the drums of Phanie Diaz makes this lineup from San Antonio impressive. The crowd seem to really dig them.

The real treat was about to begin with the 90 minute set from BLUE OCTOBER. Kicking off the night with “She’s My Ride Home” from the successful 2006 release of Foiled got the crowd to their feet quickly. And singing along. Next up was “Say It” from the 2009 release of Approaching Normal and “Sound Of Pulling Heaven Down” also from Foiled. The lights stayed dimmed but the musicians shined brightly with every chord and every word. If Justin had been demure and awkward during his solo set he certainly did an about face as he slid right into the
charismatic frontman he is known to be.

The crowd seemed to be quite familiar with most of BLUE OCTOBER’s catalog of songs. Singing more loudly as the set progressed. Most of the setlist contained songs from 3 releases; Foiled, Approaching Normal, and the newest release from the fall of 2011 Any Man In America. The biggest hits of the night, and most popular with the crowd, were “Into The Ocean” and “Hate Me”. The crowd was delighted and sang along very loudly. Very happily they showed their enthusiasm and the band fed right from that energy. BLUE OCTOBER are one of those bands that seem to have somewhat of a cult following. Sometimes being viewed as an acquired taste.

Here is a link to my listing of the setlist for the night:

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/blue-october/2012/pullo-center-yorkpa-63de0a9f.html

Here is a link to my video for “The Feel Again”:

For more info on BLUE OCTOBER including tour dates, tickets, media, merchandise, and bios, visit http://www.blueoctober.com/site/
I want to give a big shout out to Tim Tatulli of RED Music for making this opportunity happen for me and the Away-Team. Thanks!

Away-Team reviewed the album and you can see why we gave it 8 out of 10 and why we said that while it is early in the year, this may be the album to beat for Album of the Year (it will most certainly be in our top two or three by years end easily). You can read our review here.









You can purchase Possession With Intent right here.

March 29, 2012

For  BENEATH THE SCARS, the New Orleans band joined forces, once again, with producer Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, Skillet, Saliva), who had previously worked with 12 STONES on 2007’s ANTHEM FOR THE UNDERDOG.  The first single, “Infected,” mixed by Johnny K (3 Doors Down, Disturbed, Staind), is spinning on Active Rock stations nationwide and is available for download on iTunes and Amazon.  Fans who pre-order the album from band’s official website  will have early download access to six songs.  The rest of the album will then be made available on May 22.

A lyric video for “Infected” can be seen below.  As singer Paul McCoy explains, “The song was written about the messed up state of the world.  It speaks about how crazy these times are, and about being fed up with the chaos and hatred.”

Check out 12 STONES at any of the following stops, with more dates being added in the coming days.  Fans should check any of the band’s websites for updated information.

DATE        CITY            VENUE

With Saliva and Royal Bliss:

Wed 4/18    West Springfield, VA    Empire

Fri 4/20        Vienna, WV        YellowBeards Tavern

Sat 4/21    Maggie Valley, NC    Stingrays

Sun 4/22    North Charleston, NC    Market Street Saloon

Thu 4/26    Mt. Clemens, MI    Emerald Theatre

Sat 4/28    Flint, MI            Machine Shop

Fri 5/11        Broussard, LA        The Station Bar and Grill

For More 12 Stones visit their official website or click here.

The fourth annual REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARD SHOW presented by Epiphone® will take place Wednesday, April 11, at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. For the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live in its entirety on Xbox LIVE, as well as on the Xbox and Revolver Facebook pages.

The 2012 REVOLVER GOLDEN GODS AWARDS SHOW will feature one-of-a-kind special performances and collaborations that honor both the past, present and future of heavy music. The night’s hard-rocking musical performances will include sets by MARILYN MANSON (in his first U.S. performance in nearly three years); iconic GRAMMY-winning guitarist SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators; EVANESCENCE; SIXX:A.M. featuring Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE, James Michael, acclaimed rock producer and songwriter, and DJ Ashba of GUNS N’ ROSES (in their first performance in almost four years); and 2011 Best New Band Golden God Award winner BLACK VEIL BRIDES, who will perform their only U.S. show of 2012 so far.

Adler, McKagan, Slash, singer Axl Rose and guitarist Izzy Stradlin will all be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next month in Cleveland, along with later GUNS N’ ROSES members, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and drummer Matt Sorum.

Steven Adler’s new band, simply called ADLER, will be releasing their debut single “The One That You Hated” April 10th on iTunes.

In addition to Steven, ADLER features Lonny Paul (ADLER’S APPETITE) on guitar and Jacob Bunton (LYNAM, MARS ELECTRIC) on vocals/guitar. The group has been recording its debut album in Los Angeles with producers Jeff Pilson (former DOKKEN and current FOREIGNER/TOOTH AND NAIL bassist) and Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER, ADRENALINE MOB).

ADLER’s CD will feature guest appearances by ROB ZOMBIE/ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist John 5 and Steven’s former GUNS N’ ROSES bandmate Slash (guitar).

For More Info click here.

March 28, 2012

“It feels great to make music with these guys,” exclaims Stacy Jones.  “11 years in, American Hi-Fi is a brotherhood.  We made this record because we feel like the world needs a few more guitar bands.  We are just doing our small part to keep Rock-N-Roll alive!”

For the past six years, members of American Hi-Fi have been working with Miley Cyrus.  Singer Stacy Jones has been her music director and drummer, Jamie Arentzen has been her guitarist and Drew Parsons has played bass at a few concerts.  Stacy and Jamie have been featured in everything Miley Cyrus since the beginning of her “Hannah Montana” days, including the 2009 movie and “Best Of Both Worlds” concert film/DVD.

Over the course of their 10-year career, American Hi-Fi has sold over 1 million albums thanks to hit singles such as the Top 10 smash “Flavor Of The Weak,” “Another Perfect Day” (which was used as Coca-Cola’s theme for the 2002 Winter Olympics) and “The Art Of Losing,” and they’ve toured the world with artists such as Elvis Costello, Matchbox Twenty, Bon Jovi, Sum 41 and Fall Out Boy.  Before teaming up as American Hi-Fi, the band members performed as part of various influential bands from the ‘90s Alternative Rock scene, including Veruca Salt and Letters to Cleo, and with Tanya Donelly, Tracy Bonham, Aimee Mann, and Juliana Hatfield individually.  Their songs have been heard on TV shows and commercials such as Coors, Labatt Blue, Verizon, “Boston Public,” “24” and “Dawson’s Creek,” video games including “Guitar Hero 3,” and in movies including “American Pie 2,” “Freaky Friday,” “Van Wilder” and “Superman Returns.”  And Stacy has produced albums at The Deathstar for such artists as The Downtown Fiction, Ingrid Michaelson, Meg & Dia, The Cab, Plain White T’s, Hey Monday and Academy Is… and many others.

Stay tuned for in studio video updates, track listing, tour dates and other news from American Hi-Fi.

For More Info on American Hi-Fi click here.

March 27th, 2012

The members of Flying Colors are drummer Michael Portnoy (Dream Theater,) guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple,) vocalist Casey McPherson (Alpha Rev,) Neal Morse (keyboards,) and Dave LaRue (bass.) Flying Colors marks Portnoy’s first project since he departed Dream Theater.

The seeds of Flying Colors’ formation were sown in 2008, when executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to each of the musicians as well as to producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea of working together, the four musicians wrote and recorded this album in just nine days.

Portnoy says “This album has bits and pieces of what you’d expect from each of us. The sum of all it’s parts led to brand new, uncharted territory for everyone involved.”

Dave LaRue says “It was quite an experience. The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, then rearranged. Ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge! It’s been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop and metal all into one big recording.”

Flying Colors Track Listing

1. Blue Ocean 

2. Shoulda Coulda Woulda  

3. Kayla   

4. The Storm  

5. Forever in a Daze  

6. Love Is What I’m Waiting For   

7. Everything Changes  

8. Better Than Walking Away  

9. All Falls  Down  

10. Fool in My Heart  

11. Infinite Fire

For More Info on FLYING COLORS visit the band’s official website here.

Click here to purchase the album.

March 27, 2012

In his intimate-one-man show, Lindsey will showcase his distinctive guitar picking style and instantly recognizable voice in his usual awe inspiring form, captivating his audience with songs from his recent album, Seeds We Sow as well as performing a combination of favorites from his previous solo albums, along with a variety of Fleetwood Mac classics.

Regarding the new tour Buckingham says, “As I’ve grown as an artist, I’ve gotten more and more in touch with my center, and that center is voice and guitar. Over time it has become increasingly vital to express more with less; that is my touchstone now, and the embodiment of that philosophy is what will be largely represented in the new show. I’ve been thinking of doing this kind of tour for a while, and am quite excited to be doing something new, something outside my comfort zone.”

Check out Lindsey Buckingham at any of the following tour stops:

DATE        CITY                VENUE

Thur 5/3    Solana Beach, CA        Belly Up Tavern

Fri 5/4        Los Angeles, CA        The Wiltern

Sat 5/5        San Juan Capistrano, CA    Coach House

Sun 5/6      Thousand Oaks, CA        Fred Kavli Theatre/Thousand Oaks Civic Arts

Tues 5/8     San Luis Obispo. CA        Fremont Theatre

Wed 5/9     Fresno, CA            Tower Theatre Thur

5/10          Carmel, CA            Sunset Central Center

Fri 5/11     Santa Cruz, CA            Rio Theatre

Sun 5/13    Sacramento, CA        Crest Theatre

Mon 5/14    San Francisco. CA        The Fillmore

Tues 5/15    Redding, CA            The Cascade Theatre

Thur 5/17    Bend, OR            Tower Theatre

Fri 5/18        Portland, OR            Aladdin Theatre Sat

5/19              Seattle, WA            The Neptune Mon

5/21              Spokane, WA            Bing Crosby Theatre

For More Lindsey Buckingham visit his official website.

Minneapolis, MN

“The music industry is tough and constantly changing and we’ve worked hard to stay on the road and continue to get on people’s radar however we can. We are very excited for the payoff to many years of hard work and the next big step in our musical careers. This is just the beginning of what we’re capable of and look forward to the release with A2Z / Page2 / eOne!” says singer Jeff Stebbins.

George Gilbert of A2Z adds, “3 Pill Morning is a band that has pushed through all of the crap in the music business to create their own space. Their work ethic, music and charisma has got them to this level and they deserve everything they get. They are well on their way to breaking down the door and we are very excited to have them on our roster!”

In 2011, 3 Pill Morning broke into the national scene with the success of their single ‘Loser’ that reached #53 on the Active Rock charts and stayed in the Top 100 for over five months. The video for the song also landed them on national TV and was featured on top internet sites including Yahoo Music. The band will enter the studio to record their debut release on A2Z / Page2 / eOne for release later this summer.

For More Info on 3 Pill Morning click here.

CHICAGO, IL

4/25/12      Philadelphia, PA      Dobb’s

    4/26/12        Huntington, WV      The V Club

    4/27/12        Rock Hill, SC            The Money

    4/28/12        Columbia, SC           New Brookland Tavern

    4/29/12         Pendleton, SC         The Twisted Spoke

    4/30/12         Atlanta, GA             The Masquerade

    5/3/12           Baltimore, MD        Ram’s Head Live       w/ SLASH

    5/12/12         Rockford, IL            Bar 3

    5/14/12        Minneapolis, MN    The Brick                    w/SLASH

    5/16/12        Madison, WI           Orpheum Theater      w/ SLASH

    5/17/12       Grand Rapids, MI    Orbit Room               w/ SLASH

    5/18/12       Lansing, MI             Uli’s Haus Of Rock

    5/19/12       Battle Creek, MI      Planet Rock

    5/22/12       New York, NY          Irving Plaza      w/ SLASH

Brand New Sin has risen to new levels with their latest recording, and is ready to unleash the disenfranchised roar of UNITED STATE, released October 11, 2011 (US) and  October 31, 2011 (Europe) on Goomba Music.   The enduring trio of Kris Wiechmann (Vocals/Guitar), Chuck Kahl (Bass), and Kevin Dean (Drums) are joined by the new blood of Tommy Matkowski on lead guitar. Tommy’s playing is truly the finishing piece to this already powerful puzzle, lending a fresh and deeply rooted hard rock style to the Brand New Sin sound. This line-up spent much of 2010 on the road together defining the terms of United State, including opening shows for Slash & Myles Kennedy.   UNITED STATE expands on their 2009 independent release, Distilled, delivering some of the most accomplished and self-defining tracks of the band’s career. It’s clear that the lyrics of these autobiographical songs resonate in the state of mind of so many today. UNITED STATE is a time capsule of the struggle to survive and overcome in our current society. Many of the songs are about self-reflection. Wiechmann taps into the psyche of the masses: the moments that define each of us. “Infamous” and “Elbow Grease” animate the thoughts of a listener pondering their own past. The rage of songs like “Goddess Of War” and “Bed Of Nails” call out those that try and take advantage of the plight of others, while the anthemic “All My Wheels” tells a story of the struggle to live life never looking back, never regretting, uncompromised.   UNITED STATE sees a determined and confident Brand New Sin voicing the rage of the world, through fiercely developed statements in lyrics, riffs, and powerfully crafted guitar solos, backed by a driving rhythm section that continues to define strength