Away Team

From the KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Facebook page:

“To our family, friends and fans: We have decided to continue on without Howard Jones as the singer of Killswitch Engage. We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we’ve had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well. He has left big shoes to fill, so we certainly have our work cut out for us to find the next singer of Killswitch, something we plan on making priority #1 going forward. Most importantly, thanks to all of you for all the support throughout the years and for sticking by us for all this time. We really do appreciate it and we very much look forward to having a new record for all of you in the not too distant future that we can all be proud of. Sincerely, Adam, Joel, Mike & Justin.”

Over the past two years Howard has sat out a few tours for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. Phil LaBonte from ALL THAT REMAINS joined them on tour in 2010, and original vocalist Jesse Leach filled in on some dates also. No reason was ever given for Howard not joining the band on the road.









For more KILLSWITCH ENGAGE click here.

As I sit here trying to preface one of the best interviews I have conducted in a while, I am met with an eerily familiar foe… writer’s block.  Perhaps it is because there are no words to describe the remarkable success RAINS has achieved sans the help of a major label.  Perhaps it is the fact that the stories behind the “Stories” are impactful beyond words.  Or maybe it’s just that I’ve consumed one too many Captain and Cokes.  Whatever the reason is, you’re probably asking yourself “What the fuck kind of title is that?”.  Well sit back, pour your own damn cocktail, and relax as we delve into the mind of a remarkable talent who, next time we talk, will undoubtedly need no introduction.  Join me as we talk with Jeff Rains about everything from panhandling-to-pirating music-to-you guessed it, eating shit. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Neither artist, nor author have ever taken part in eating shit.  No shit was harmed during the making of this interview.]

AWAY-TEAM:  First I’d like to congratulate you on the success of your album, which by the way is fantastic…

JEFF RAINS:  Well thank you!

AWAY-TEAM:  …also the current single “Look in My Eyes”.  As we speak now, you’re on the current leg of the Share the Welt Tour with Five Finger Death Punch, All That Remains, and Hatebreed.  How’s that been going thus far?

JEFF RAINS:  It is phenomonal.  Ya know, we were a little bit nervous about it because, you’ve heard our album, and all of the other bands on the tour are so much heavier than us.  So we got offered the tour, and we had alot of reservations about it.  We weren’t sure if we should take it or not, but we did alot of research and basically everybody that we talked to said ‘That’s the tour that you need to be on.  That’s THE tour!’  So we ended up taking it, and it was a big risk, but we’ve been accepted and it’s going great.  The bands are all phenomonal to us, the crew is great to us, and it’s just awesome.

AWAY-TEAM:  Very cool!  So when di you first decide that you wanted to write and record music for a living?  And what was the driving force behind it?

JEFF RAINS:  I was, I think 16 years old, I was brought up on the whole 70′s music scene.  My dad was big into Led Zeppelin, CCR, all that stuff, so I grew up listening to that, and then I also grew up listening to alot of Country music.  And first Woodstock ’94 happened, and my brother and I were not allowed to watch MTV but we had this little 10 inch TV in our bedroom, and when our parents would go to bed we’d turn it on and turn on MTV and they’d be showing clips from Woodstock, like Green Day and the mud fights and all that stuff.  We were like “What in the hell is this?”  It was amazing, we’d never seen anything like it.  So then I started looking into it a little more, and I stumbled across, well I guess you wouldn’t say stumbled across because it was right in my face the whole time, but the whole Seattle, ya know Alice in Chains-Pearl Jam grunge scene.  Right then it was like, it wasn’t even a choice, it was just ‘This is what I’m doing’ ya know.  If you listen to the album, I’m just so influenced by that whole Seattle scene, and I still am.  I mean, everyday before we go on stage, on the bus we’re listening to either Alice in Chains, or Soundgarden, or Pearl Jam.  Then our intro to our show is “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin, ya know, so all of those influences are still there and I really like that.

AWAY-TEAM:  You mentioned earlier that you’re band is a little bit different sounding than the other bands on the tour.  You’ve been compared alot to bands like Default, Nickelback, and I’ve even heard Staind.  If you had to describe your sound to someone that has never heard your music before, what would be your answer?

JEFF RAINS:  I’ve been asked this question alot, and the best answer I can come up with is I think it’s a modern day, 90′s Seattle grunge scene sound.  The record’s called “Stories” and I really got sick of the cookie-cutter BS that was on the radio.  Bands singing about drugs, and drinking, and whatever they sing about.  I just wanted to do something real, and something honest, and tell some real stories.  I think it’s paying off for us, and people are connecting with it.  It’s really cool to see.

AWAY-TEAM:  Now you mentioned the album is called “Stories”, the story telling aspect of your songwriting has more of a direct approach than the average artist, I know we touched on it a little bit earlier, but who are some of the artists that influenced that aspect?

JEFF RAINS:  I think the story telling part comes from listening to Country music.  I mean, I listened to alot of Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn and stuff like that.  I don’t know, as I’ve said I’ve been obsessed with that whole Seattle scene, I don’t know if that had anything to do with the story telling or not, but I would attribute it mostly to listening to Country music.  Because Country music, I don’t know what it is now because I don’t really listen to it anymore, but back then it was story telling.  All these Country artists would tell these amazing stories during their songs and I thought that was so cool.  So, yeah I think that’s where it mostly came from.

AWAY-TEAM:  That’s actually one of the things that I love about your album.

JEFF RAINS:  Right on.  And I think that’s one of the things that people connect with the most, ya know.  People are so used to the current music scene and where it’s at, and they’re just expecting these cookie cutter songs where ‘We’re up all night partying..’  Whatever.  It is what it is.  So I think when people hear us for the first time, they’re more taken aback than anything, like “Wow, this is actually real music for once.  Real stories, about real people.  This is cool!”  I actually read a really cool article the other day, I don’t even know where I found it, I didn’t interview with them or anything, they just wrote it about us, and the subject said “RAINS-The Band That’s Bringing Back True Rock n’ Roll”  I was like “Holy crap! That’s awesome!”  That’s what I feel like I’m trying to do.

AWAY-TEAM:  Being that the songs on the album are a collection of stories, what song on the album had the most profound meaning in your personal life?

JEFF RAINS:  I think the song “Hurricane”.  “Hurricane” was really cool, because I was in Austin, TX, before I was really pushing the music thing I was working for another company.  And I was walking down the street, and some homeless guy came up to me and asked me for $3.96.  I didn’t have any cash on me, and I said “I don’t have any cash on me.” and he was like “Yeah, I get that all the time.  Whatever.”  I said ‘Well, what do you need it for?” and he said “I need to buy a 40, and one cigarette.”  I said “OK, thanks for being honest with me” and I sat down with him and I said “Can I hear your story? I don’t wanna impose or anything, but do you mind filling me in a little bit?” and he told me his whole story.  As soon as he was doen, I went to the ATM, took out $20, handed it to him, and said “Buy whatever you gotta buy, but make sure you at least get some food too.”  The song “Hurricane” is his whole story, and it’s a very sad song, but in that song I felt like I finally hit where I wanted to hit in the songwriting.  I felt like that was where I finally told a story the way I wanted to tell a story.  It was awesome, I was just in Austin like two days ago, and that’s all I kept thinking about the whole time.  I was like “This is the place.”  I actually stood right where I talked to the guy, it was really cool.

AWAY-TEAM:  Wow.  That is awesome!  Many of the songs on the album seem to also be almost interconnected as part of a bigger story.  Can you kinda briefly take us throught the album and give us sort of an abridged version of that story?

JEFF RAINS:  Well, I’ve been married for almost 8 years, and during the writing for the album my wife and I seperated for a bit, and the majority of the songs on the album are about that.  I think every song with the exception of “Hurricane” is a song directly from my own life.  I mean, I wrote about what I was going through every day.  Ya know, it’s great to be able to put yourself out there, and put your life out there, people respond to it.  Luckily the response has been great, so.  Yeah, if it seems like there is a story within the “Stories” record, that’s what it is.  It’s the story of that time period in my life, and everything I was going through.

AWAY-TEAM:  And you’re still married now?

JEFF RAINS:  Oh yeah.

AWAY-TEAM:  So how’s that work when she hears a song like “Hate”? (laughs)

JEFF RAINS:  (laughs) That’s been a bit of a sore subject.  She’s over it now, but when I first wrote it… yeah, didn’t go over too well. (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  Well, I’m glad to hear everything worked out for ya.

JEFF RAINS:  Yeah, everything worked out great.  Like the song “Liar”, I don’t know how people interpret that song, but… that song is completely referring to myself.  I just wasn’t doing the right thing in my marriage at the time.  So alot of that stuff is completely personal reference.  It’s basically me dogging myself the whole record. (laughs)

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs)  Hey, that’s what makes it genuine.

JEFF RAINS:  It worked, so. (laughs) It is what it is.  It was definitely a sore subject for a while though. (both laugh)

AWAY-TEAM:  The way this album was written reminds me alot of Sixx A.M.’s “The Heroin Diaries”, in the respect that it could easily be a sountrack to someone’s life.  If you could write the soundtrack to the biography of any one musician’s life, who would it be?

JEFF RAINS:  Oh man, that’s a tough question.  Probably Layne Staley, or Scott Weiland, or Maynard from Tool.  Or even Phil Collins, I don’t know, I have alot of artists that have influenced me alot, so that list could go on for days.

AWAY-TEAM:  Your day job at one time was actually as a tattoo artist?

JEFF RAINS:  Correct.

AWAY-TEAM:  What’s the funniest, weirdest, or coolest tat you’ve ever done?  Cuz I’ve seen some funny shit out there.

JEFF RAINS:  I tattooed a piece of shit on someone once…

AWAY-TEAM:  (Laughs hysterically)

JEFF RAINS:  ..and here’s the fucked up part.  I tattooed a piece of shit on them because they supposedly won a bet.  The bet was if he ate shit, he got paid $100.  So he ate the shit, got paid $100, and then came and spent the $100 on a tattoo of shit!

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughing) What the fuck?

JEFF RAINS:  (laughing)  I’m not kidding.  I’m not kidding you.

AWAY-TEAM:  Oh my God!

JEFF RAINS:  Yeah.  And another weird one, this guy was… I’m not even worried about him reading this, I’m not gonna say his name, but if he ever learned what the internet was, he’d know it was him.  But, every Friday the 13th, our tattoo studio was called Studio 13, so every Friday the 13th we would do $13 tattoos.  We’d just have these sheets of little 2″x 2″ tattoos, nothing crazy, but one of the tattoos one day was, you know the “Calvin” cartoon pissing?

AWAY-TEAM:  Yeah, yeah.

JEFF RAINS:  So this guy had his ex-girlfriend’s name tattooed right behind his ear, so then on his neck he had me tattoo the “Calvin” cartoon pissing on his ex-girlfriend’s name.

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs)

JEFF RAINS:  (laughing) And when I did it I said “Do you really want this on your neck forever?”, and he was that type of guy.  He was like ”Hell yeah dude! This is gonna be fucking awesome!”  I was like “Ok, whatever.”  (laughs)  But yeah, that’s why I stopped tattooing.  I hated it.  I hated that part of it, because people are, I don’t know how to put this diplomatically.  Some people don’t follow your recommendations as a tattoo artist, and they’ll get the dumbest shit in the history of the world tattooed on them.  And I just got so jaded, I was like “I didn’t sign up for this.”  I signed up to make art, not a Calvin cartoon pissing on a girlfriend’s name, ya know?

AWAY-TEAM:  (laughs)  Your success, has been found thus far through the independent release of your album.  There’s been a recent trend of bands trying to get out of their major label deals and back to basics.  Does that sometimes deter you from seeking the support of a major label?  Or do you kinda take the approach that it works for some and not for others?

JEFF RAINS:  From day one, I have said that I wanna be independent.  It’s gonna take a hell of alot for me to sign with a major label, or with any label.  We’re on our own label, we handle everything ourselves, we have our own PR team, we have our own radio team, we have our own distribution, so.  With the record industry the way it is right now, the only way you’re gonna make, and I don’t give a shit what any other band says “Yeah we wanna do it for the music”  What the fuck ever, you wanna get paid!  You start out wanting to do it for the music, but then when you’re $400,000 in debt, it’s like “OK, I kinda need to get paid at some point.”  The only way to get paid these days, is to be independent, and be your own record label.  So, I guess to answer your question, at no point in the immediate future or the far future will I be seeking out label support.  And I’m very proud of that, and all of the bands we’re on tour with are on major labels and they’re just astounded that we’re doing this on our own.

AWAY-TEAM:  That blows my mind too.  The success that you guys have had being an independent band, it’s really kinda refreshing to see.

JEFF RAINS:  Well I thank you for that.  I’ll take that as a compliment.  It’s refreshing to be in this position, to be honest with you, because we aren’t getting screwed out of evey penny we make.  We make every penny we make, it goes straight to the band. So we’re able to be on a tour bus, we’re able to be on these big tours, we’re able to finance the things we’re able to finance because, believe it or not it takes a hell of alot of money to be in the music business.  It’s not like, your playing some crappy bar and some A&R guy is gonna find you and sign you that night on a paper napkin.  That’s not how it works.  this business is so much about numbers now, and I’m just so happy to be where we are.  Being independent and not having to depend on anyone else, and not have to pay everything we make to everybody else, ya know.  It’s a really good feeling.

AWAY-TEAM:  Speaking of the record industry, there’s been recent rumor of the demise of the CD.  Do you think that’s a good thing for the industry?  What are your thoughts on that?

JEFF RAINS:  I’ll give you an example, last night we played a show, I think there was 5,000 people there.  One guy came up to me and he said ”I’ve been listening to you guys for two years straight.  I’ve been obsessed with you guys.  I’m gonna be honest, I downloaded your CD off the internet.”  But he had 5 copies of the CD in his hand that he had just bought from the merch table.  My approach is, if people want free music, let ‘em have it.  The whole goal is to spread the word right?  So it they’re still coming out to concerts, and still paying for those concert tickets, and still buying our merch, what the hell do I care?  It served it’s purpose, I mean the guy was standing there with 5 CD’s.  So he downloaded one for free, great, he paid it back to us ten times over at that show last night.  And that’s normally how it goes.  Alot of bands aren’t like this, but I encourage people.  If you can find my CD for free, download it.  Don’t even call it stealing, call it my gift to you.  I just want people to hear it, and hopefully they like it.  It will pay off at the end of the day, whether the record labels say it will or not, I know personally that it will.

AWAY-TEAM:   Well hey Jeff, thank you so much for your time.  It’s been a great pleasure.

JEFF RAINS:  Right on. Thank you man!

AWAY-TEAM:  Best of luck in everything you do, and hopefully I’ll catch up with you next time you guys make your way through Florida.

JEFF RAINS:  Definitely.

AWAY-TEAM:  Alright man, we’ll talk soon.

JEFF RAINS:  Alright, thanks alot man!  Bye.

For more  RAINS including, music, merch, and tour dates visit the bands official website here.

Special thanks to Jeff Rains for so graciously giving me his time, and also to Doug Weber at New Ocean Media for making it all happen.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is set to headline the ‘SHARE THE WELT TOUR’ this fall in support of their upcoming third album, American Capitalist, which hits stores on October 11th, 2011. Heading out to support 5FDP on the tour are current heavy metal frontrunners All That Remains, Hatebreed, and Rev Theory.

Also, 5FDP’s brand new single, “UNDER AND OVER IT” is available on iTunes now. “UNDER AND OVER IT” is the first single from their forthcoming album, American Capitalist. The track debuted on radio stations everywhere Wednesday as well as on Revolvermag.com to immediate acclaim from stations and listeners alike.

More dates are set to be announced in September, so stay tuned for updates! See below for all current tour dates.

CONFIRMED SUMMER FESTIVAL DATES
8/13 Twin Lakes, WI @ Shadow Hill Ranch
8/16 Honolulu, HI @ Blaisdell Arena
8/19 Saratoga Springs, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center – (WQBK’S A BIGGER DAY OUT)
8/20 Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre – (ROCK ON THE RANGE CANADA)
8/26 Post Falls, ID @ Greyhound Park Ampitheater – (KHTQ ROCK HARD AT THE PARK)
8/27 Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre – (KISW PAIN IN THE GRASS)
8/28 Hillsboro, OR @ Washington County Fair – (PDX ROCKFEST)
9/10 Chandler, AZ @ Firebird Raceway – (UFEST)
9/18 Dayton, OH @ Montgomery County Fairgrounds – (WXEG X FEST)
9/24 Irvine, CA @ Irvine Meadows/Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre – (EPICENTER)

SHARE THE WELT TOUR: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH w/ ALL THAT REMAINS, HATEBREED, REV THEORY
10/16 San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
10/17 Medford, OR @ Medford Armory
10/19 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Great Slat Air
10/22 Denver, CO @ First Bank Center
10/25 Boise, ID @ Taco Bell Arena
10/26 Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory
10/28 El Paso, TX @ Speaking Rock Entertainment Center (not SHARE THE WELT)
10/29 San Antonio, TX @ Sunken Garden
11/1 Little Rock, AR @ Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center
11/2 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom

The 2011 daily performance lineup has been announced for ROCKLAHOMA, the three-day camp and rock festival that will feature a mix of the best classic bands and today’s top active rock artists. America’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend party kicks off summer May 27-29 at “Catch the Fever” Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK.

The daily performance lineup for ROCKLAHOMA is as follows:
Friday, May 27
Whitesnake, Hinder, Skillet, Sick Puppies, All That Remains, My Darkest Days, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Texas Hippie Coalition, New Medicine, Bad Things, Wildstreet, Loveblast, D’Molls, Alias, Blue Tiger, Firststryke, Chuck Cooley and the Demon Hammers, Signum A.D., Silverstone, Return to Custody

Saturday, May 28
Staind, Sebastian Bach, Drowning Pool, Rev Theory, Cavo, Pop Evil, The Gracious Few, Hail the Villain, Taddy Porter, Electric Touch, Gypsy Pistoleros, Cutlass, Mock Star, Aura Surreal, Aska, Strikeforce, Siva Addiction, A Good Fight, Bait, Rocker Lips, Sweatin Bullets

Sunday, May 29
Mötley Crüe, Poison, Papa Roach, Seether, Black Label Society, Saving Abel, Escape The Fate, Crooked X, Art Of Dying, One Less Reason, Bad Things, The Glitter Boys, Black Tora, New Cool World, Pretty Little Suicide, Diemonds, Brandon Clark Band, David Castro Band, Desi and Cody

The official ROCKLAHOMA pre-party on Thursday, May 26 will feature performances from Fist of Rage, Tiranico, Aformatic, Floodlyne, Blackwood, and Stun.

New to ROCKLAHOMA 2011 is the AXiS Campground Stage. Since the camping experience is one of the most memorable parts of ROCKLAHOMA for many fans, event producers have added this special performance area to enhance the campground. Anyone holding festival and camping tickets will be able to experience the sounds of the country’s finest new rock bands performing on this stage, located next to the General Store in the main campgrounds. Camping tickets may be purchased by calling the ROCKLAHOMA Camping Office at (866) 310-2288, where fans can choose their exact campsite.

Single day tickets for ROCKLAHOMA go on-sale Friday, April 15 at 10am CST at all Ticketmaster outlets and at www.rocklahoma.com.

Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early as prices will increase as of Friday, April 15 at 10am CST and again the week of the event. General Admission 3-day ticket prices are now available for only $119 plus service fees and VIP Reserved 3-day tickets, which include unlimited beverages and catered meals as well as access to the air conditioned VIP tent, are just $320 plus service fees. As of 10am CST April 15, prices will be $139 plus service fees for General Admission and $350 plus service fees for VIP Reserved.

Doors to the main ROCKLAHOMA festival area and stages will open at 3pm each day. Campgrounds will open on Sunday, May 22 and remain open until Tuesday, May 31.

For more ROCKLAHOMA click here.

The daily performance lineups have been revealed for the Fifth Anniversary of ROCK ON THE RANGE–America’s premier destination rock festival–May 21-22 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

A limited number of ROCK ON THE RANGE Saturday and Sunday single day Stadium GA tickets will be available for only $59.50 beginning March 28 at 10:00 AM EST. In addition, as a way to honor those who serve their country, ROTR will again offer a $30 single day Stadium GA ticket to members of the military. To qualify for the $30 ticket, concertgoers must present a photo ID with military ID to the Columbus Crew box office Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm between May 1 and 21, 2011. Two-day weekend Stadium GA festival passes (which include entrance to the Friday pre-party) start at just $99.50 plus service and transaction fees.

The daily artist lineups for ROCK ON THE RANGE are as follows:

Friday, May 20 Pre-Party (doors open at 6pm):
Steel Panther, Danko Jones, Lez Zeppelin

Saturday, May 21 (doors open at 11am):
*Monster Energy Stage: Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Staind, Alter Bridge, Hinder, Sick Puppies, Rev Theory, Finger Eleven
*The f.y.e. Stage: Danzig, Escape The Fate, My Darkest Days, Crossfade, Asking Alexandria, Trust Company
*Jägermeister Stage: P.O.D., Black Veil Brides, 2 Cents, Egypt Central, Bad City, Downplay

Sunday, May 22 (doors open at 11am):
*Monster Energy Stage: A Perfect Circle, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Bullet For My Valentine, Black Label Society, All That Remains, Saving Abel, 10 Years
* The f.y.e. Stage: Hollywood Undead, A Day To Remember, Trapt, Cavo, PopEvil, Hail The Villain
*Jägermeister Stage: The Damned Things, Fu Manchu, Evans Blue, Art Of Dying, Red Fang









For more ROCK ON THE RANGE click here.

The first Annual Uranium Tour 2011 featuring headliner BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and openers ALL THAT REMAINS and HAIL THE VILLAIN has been announced and will commence May 4th in San Diego. REV THEORY will appear on the bill for June dates in place of All That Remains. The tour marks the return of the Uranium brand in the form of a national music tour.

“Mistress Juliya of Uranium, like House of Blues, has always tried to identify amazing, soul crushing talent,” said Kelly Kapp, vice president, House of Blues Talent. “With Black Label Society headlining Uranium Tour 2011 and All That Remains, Hail the Villain coming along for the ride we are confident House of Blues, Mistress Juliya and Right Arm Entertainment have put together a package that cannot be missed. We hope that Uranium Tour 2011 is the first of many tours to come and becomes synonymous with astonishing, bewildering breakthrough and established metal Artists that come together for a great live tour.”

Juliya Chernetsky said, “You wanted it? You got it! It is my absolute honor to announce the return of my beloved metal brand Uranium in the form of a badass tour! In typical Uranium fashion, we bring you BLS, All That Remains, and Hail the Villain. Need I say more?”

Uranium Tour 2011 Featuring: Black Label Society. Presented by Mistress Juliya of Fuse:
May
4 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
6 – Los Angeles, CA- House Of Blues
7 – Tucson, AZ – KFMA radio show*
8 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
10 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
11 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
13 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
14 – Kansas City, MO – KQRC radio show*
15 – Des Moines, IA – KAZR radio show*
17 – Buffalo, NY – The Town Ballroom
18 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Oakdale Theatre
22 – Columbus, OH – Rock On The Range*
23 – London, ON – Cowboy’s
24 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
26 – Omaha, NE – Sokol Auditorium+
27 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theater+
28 – Minneapolis, MN – 93X radio show*
29 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma*
31 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
June
1 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant**
3 – Atlantic City, NJ – House Of Blues**
4 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza**
5 – Richmond, VA – The National**

*Black Label Society only
**No All That Remains, Rev Theory
+ No All That Remains









For more BLACK LABEL SOCIETY click here.

Featuring: Buckcherry. With support from Hell Yeah, All That Remains and The Damned Things
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD

Photos by Marcy Royce.

What a great lineup Jagermesiter has assembled for the Jagermeister 2011 Music Tour. It started on Wednesday, January 19 and will conclude on Thursday, February 24, 2011. BUCKCHERRY is the headliner with support from HELL YEAH, ALL THAT REMAINS and THE DAMNED THINGS.

So let’s get this party started. Or as BUCKCHERRY would say, “It’s A Party” and we’re going “All Night Long!”

The night kicked off with THE DAMNED THINGS. And the venue was not as full as I thought it would be. But that is because they took the stage at 6:35 pm. A bit early for most headbangers. This is a band that I’m not familiar with their music. I do know that of the 6 members, they’ve come from 3 other bands. Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley hail from Fall Out Boy, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano are infused from Anthrax, and Keith Buckley and Josh Newton injected from Every Time I Die. WOW! Cool stuff right there peeps. They debuted last June as THE DAMNED THINGS and are a heavy metal super group. Their first single, “We’ve Got A Situation”, was released in October 2010. While they performed well and with much energy, I just couldn’t get into their music. However, most of the crowd was into them.

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Next to take the stage was ALL THAT REMAINS. They are a metal core group that formed in 1998, so they’ve been around for some time. They have 5 albums under their music belt and their latest offering, “For We Are Many” was released in October of 2010. Members include Philip Labonte, Mike Martin, Oli Herbert, Jason Costa and female bass player, Jeanne Sagan. Jeanne really had me entranced while I photographed the band. She can compete vocally with the boys. And why I say that is because she can ‘growl’ with the best of them. The band was tight and musically sound. Once again, however, just not quite my type of music.

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Rams Head Live was now beginning to fill the empty spots from earlier in the evening. People were steadily trickling in the door where my post seemed to be most of the night. I felt safe at my post because crowd surfing was beginning to increasingly build. Moshing too! And this place is great because it’s large and they have big screen tvs all over the place. So I didn’t miss a beat of any drum or the strum of any guitar or the singing of any lyric.

Now it was time for Baltimore favorities, HELLYEAH. Holy cow! This heavy metal super group just took over. The heat was building as the bodies moved forward. I shed my sweatshirt but regretted that decision as I became soaked with flying water. The crowd was working themselves into a mini frenzy. This band has a history as well. Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett slid in from Mudvayne, Tom Maxwell comes from Nothing Face, Bob “Zilla” Kakaha jumps in from Damageplan, and, of course, the great Vinnie Paul comes from non other than Pantera. While the band formed in 2001, they didn’t become a full fledged group until 2006. Their first release was in 2007 along with their first live show, right there at Ram’s Head. Chad Gray made mention of how this place and the fans were special to them. The crowd ate up the attention. I could feel the intense crowd support. Their second release was in July of 2010. They performed a few songs I recognized. Such as “Hell Of A Time”, “Better Man”, and “Alcohaulin’ Ass.” Chad Gray was on fire. The guitars were wailing. The drums were pounding. And I was in heaven. Captured some great photos during my brief time in the press area. HellYeah leads with such a strong performance that they could have been the headliner for the evening. But not for this tour.

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BUCKCHERRY was up next!

Lights were dim, and figures began appearing on stage. They took the stage like a huge hurricane. A intense wind swept over the crowd, from the front of the stage and permeated to every corner of the place. And then wham, lights revealed the one and only, BUCKCHERRY. It was such rush! As Josh Todd began the first words of “Dead” from their August 2010 release, “It’s A Party”, the crowd just went crazy. It seemed every fan in the first few rows were singing along and fist-pumping as well. The band was tight and sounded great. 

As “Rescue Me” started, I began to realize that Josh is like the energizer bunny, full of so much energy and moving around to almost every square inch of the stage. It seems, to me anyway, that Josh is inspired by two great frontmen, Mick Jagger, of the Rolling Stones, and Steve Whiteman, of Kix. Moving, gyrating and working the crowd as he belts out the lyrics. I had a hard time keeping up with him. Which brings me so stage right. Since I just had an interview with Keith Nelson a few weeks earlier, I was eagerly visiting stage right often. What a great guitarist. Keith interacts often during each song with the fans. He was throwing guitar picks out to the crowd most of the night. Even trying to get some to the second level of Rams Head Live.

After I finished photographing the third song, “All Night Long” from their new release, I made my way back to my post. All kinds of thoughts played through my head such as, high energy. Tight and solid. Love what they do. Jager infused. Awesome sound. One of the most tattooed bands of this day. Mezmerizing solos. Hooks and riffs, I like. And then Josh does the greatest thing. Thanks the fans for supporting rock and roll. Totally cool! I love when bands recognize the fans as the reason the music is still alive.

The setlist for the evening was: Dead, Rescue Me, All Night Long, Everything, I Want You, It’s A Party, Next To You, Lit Up, Slammin, Lawless & LuLu, On Set, I’m Sorry, Crazy Bitch, and for the encore Out Of Line and Whiskey. Playing current songs as well as digging some out from the early days. AWESOME! I love when bands do that, shows they care about the early stuff just as much as the current release. Digging into the catalog makes this gal happy! I was kind of surprised, though, that the band chose to end their set with lesser known, lesser popular songs that weren’t huge hits. They played most of the hits in the middle to end of the night. But hey, they gotta do what they love as well as what the fans love. So I’m sure they chose that setlist with careful thought and consideration for all involved. The fans loved BUCKCHERRY this night, no matter the course of the setlist.

Although the night included some minor issues and flubs, what band doesn’t have that happen live. And Josh was having a hard time with his vocal range about half way through the night. Performing almost every night apparently had begun to show at Rams Head. He didn’t give up though, and that I commend him for. He adjusted and moved forward, giving it his all. Being a true fan, I did notice these things. However they surely didn’t majorly detract from the great performance by BUCKCHERRY. Can’t wait until they pass close by again. I’ll be there, once again!

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Special thanks and a shout out to Pavla Mikula, with Stache Media, for making this opportunity happen for me and the Away-Team. You, my dear, do indeed ROCK!

Buckcherry
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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Hell Yeah
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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All That Remains
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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The Damned Things
Jagermeister Tour
February 12, 2011 – Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
Photos by Marcy Royce

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Rocklahoma returns May 27-29 to kick off summer with the nation’s biggest Memorial Day Weekend party at Catch The Fever Festival Grounds in Pryor, OK! 2011 marks the 5th Anniversary of the three-day camp & rock festival that will feature a mix of the best classic bands and today’s top active rock artists. Rocklahoma is proud to be presented by Bud Light.

The initial Rocklahoma lineup includes: MÖTLEY CRÜE, STAIND, WHITESNAKE, SEETHER, PAPA ROACH, SAVING ABEL, SKILLET, SICK PUPPIES, SEBASTIAN BACH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DROWNING POOL, MY DARKEST DAYS, REV THEORY, ALL THAT REMAINS, ESCAPE THE FATE, CAVO, THE GRACIOUS FEW (FEATURING MEMBERS OF LIVE AND CANDLEBOX), HAIL THE VILLAIN, JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, TADDY PORTER, POP EVIL, CROOKED X, TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, NEW MEDICINE, ART OF DYING, ELECTRIC TOUCH, ONE LESS REASON, GYPSY PISTOLEROS, ALIAS, WILDSTREET, THE GLITTER BOYS, GUNNER SIXX, BLACK TORA, MAD MAX, AURA SURREAL, FIRSTRYKE, ASKA, PRETTY LITTLE SUICIDE, ARENA, BLUE TIGER, BAD THINGS, CUTLASS, MOCK STAR and more special guests to be announced.

“2011 promises to deliver the biggest Rocklahoma punch to date!” says Joe Litvag, Senior Vice President of AEG Live and Co-Executive Producer of Rocklahoma. “Not only have we stepped up our game with the top active rock artists on the charts this year like Seether, Papa Roach and Sick Puppies, but we’ve also taken the classic artists to a new level of insanity with the likes of Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake, and a few surprises yet to come! The Rocklahoma loyalists asked for it, and we heard them loud and clear…This is the perfect balance of talent that will give something to every rock fan in the region!”

General Admission and VIP packages for Rocklahoma go on sale Friday, February 18 at 10am CST at all Ticketmaster outlets and www.Rocklahoma.com. General Admission 3-day ticket prices start as low as $99.50. Fans can save by buying early as ticket prices will increase in the coming weeks. Camping tickets may be purchased by calling the Rocklahoma Camping Office at (866) 310-2288, where fans can choose their exact campsite.

The VIP tickets and packages for the 2011 festival are sure to please the most rabid rock fans. This year’s VIP packages include:

Groupie Package (1 Person)
- VIP Reserved Ticket
- Access to air-conditioned VIP Catering Tent
- Private Backstage Lounge Access
- Weekend Pit Access

Roadie Package (1 Person)
- VIP Reserved Ticket
- Access to air-conditioned VIP Catering Tent
- Private Backstage Lounge Access
- Private Restroom Access
- Weekend Pit Access
- VIP Deck Access
- Event Poster, T-Shirt and Festival Mug
- Commemorative Laminate

Rockstar Package (2 Person)
- All amenities from Roadie Package
- Three Night Stay at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
- Shuttle Service to and from festival
- Best Seats in the House

For a detailed list of amenities included in the 2011 Rocklahoma VIP ticket packages, visit Rocklahoma.com.

“We’ve always tried to offer the greatest experience to our Rocklahoma VIPs,” comments Mark Nuessle, President of Catch the Fever Festival Grounds and Co-Executive Producer of the festival. “This year we’ve brought back the air-conditioning to our VIP catering tent and backstage lounge, by popular demand, and we’ve expanded our packages to include Pit access, Best Seats in the House, and even hotel accommodations and transportation this year! For those who want to be pampered, Rocklahoma will take good care of you!”

Rocklahoma is located just 45 minutes northeast of Tulsa, in Pryor, OK. The Catch the Fever Festival Grounds is a premier destination for a multi-day festival and includes on-site camping with access to restrooms and shower house, a general store for campers, VIP reserved seating, hospitality areas and much more.

Established in 2007 as a classic rock destination festival with the motto “life, liberty and the pursuit of rock,” Rocklahoma was revamped for 2010 as organizers teamed with AEG Live to create an event encompassing a much broader mix of classic, current and up-and-coming rock artists.

For more ROCKLAHOMA click here.

 Following BUCKCHERRY since their early days and really diggin’ their 2006 release “15” after they reformed in 2005, I was elated to know I was afforded the opportunity to have a discussion with Keith Nelson (lead guitar, rhythm guitar and backing vocals).  Based out of Los Angeles, California, BUCKCHERRY has been a mainstay in the world of rock and roll. Known as “the Crazy Bitch band”, they are so much more than that. Working hard and paying their dues along the way, BUCKCHERRY continues to be one of the leaders with the in-your-face rock and roll bands, having fun and delivering their best every night to you, their fans.

Read on to see what Keith had to tell me about the Jagermeister Tour, their music, what 2011 holds for the band and Steelers football.

This is Marcy Royce with away-team.com speaking today with Keith Nelson from BUCKCHERRY.

AWAY-TEAM: Hi Keith, how are you?

KEITH NELSON: Good, how are you hon?

AWAY-TEAM: Great, thanks! I hear you are in Denver tonight. How cold is it there compared to Pennysylvania?

KEITH NELSON: It’s actually not that bad out here today. Where are you in Pennsylvania?

AWAY-TEAM: I’m in York, just south of Harrisburg.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah I know it, I know it well.

AWAY-TEAM: And you’re from Pennsylvania as well.

KEITH NELSON: That is correct. Western Pennsylvania.

AWAY-TEAM: Glad to know you’re familiar with the state more than some other people are.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah. I’ve spent some time in Indiana, Pennsylvania as well. So, I know it.

AWAY-TEAM: Thanks a lot for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me today. I really appreciate it.

KEITH NELSON: No problem. My pleasure.

AWAY-TEAM: I’ll get to my questions as to not keep you too long.

KEITH NELSON: Alright babe.

AWAY-TEAM: You’re coming back my area, Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, February 12. And since BUCKCHERRY performed at the Raven’s Kickoff Party in August of last year, what is it that you and the band like about Baltimore?

KEITH NELSON: Well, Baltimore really has been one of those cities that’s always just welcomed us with open arms even from the very early, early days of the band, ya know. It’s such a rock and roll town and the response has always been awesome. We’ve gotten a lot of support from the radio station there and some really loyal fans. It’s really been a great place for us.

AWAY-TEAM: We are so glad BUCKCHERRY is coming back!

KEITH NELSON: Right on! It’s gonna be a good time.

AWAY-TEAM: How did this Jagermeister Tour come about for you guys?

KEITH NELSON: They approached us with the idea of doing the tour and packaging up with some really cool bands. We started talking to them and HELL YEAH got on board, and then ALL THAT REMAINS and THE DAMNED THINGS kinda confirmed as well and it really started to pick up momentum. It’s just a cool opportunity for us and Jager has been a really good sponsor. They’ve provided a lot of things for us and it’s really been a good thing. They did a really successful tour with ANTHRAX and MEGADEATH and a couple of the heavier bands last year. We actually went to see one of the shows because we’re friends with the ANTHRAX guys. So, it’s been a good partnership .

AWAY-TEAM: And you’re just on the front leg of this 26 U.S. tour for Jagermeister so I’m sure your raring and fresh and ready to go.

KEITH NELSON: We’re always raring and fresh and ready to go.

AWAY-TEAM: (laughing)

KEITH NELSON: We are about 80 shows into this tour in support of our new release, All Night Long, and it’s a good way for us to spend this winter.

AWAY-TEAM: I really do like your new release, All Night Long. I did review it for Away-Team.

KEITH NELSON: Nice!

AWAY-TEAM: And it has grown on me. At first I was wondering, do I like it do I not like it? The more it spins in the ipod the it’s doing well in my opinion.

KEITH NELSON: Well, thank you!

AWAY-TEAM: You’re welcome.

AWAY-TEAM: What is different about this Jagermeister tour from other tours that you’ve been on?

KEITH NELSON: Well, first of all four bands, four kick ass bands. That’s been a big difference. Usually you have one or two bands out with you. But you’ve got four bands. It’s a very, for your entertainment dollar, there’s really a lot of entertainment. So thankfully we’ve been able to, with our partnership with Jager, keep ticket prices low and really just give people the most bang for their buck.

AWAY-TEAM: I think you are definitely doing that! Us fans thank you.

KEITH NELSON: Well, it really is all about the fans. If we can’t provide something for the people that support us and hear our music then why are we doing this in the first place. It’s been very much at the forefront of our thinking. Keep the ticket prices low, keep the merchandise prices low, and just provide an evening of entertainment.

AWAY-TEAM: Thank you. We all appreciate that. I went to see SEVENDUST, DISTURBED and KORN on the Music As A Weapon Tour last week and Lajon said the same thing to the fans. He said without you we don’t have a job.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah. We just did some shows with SEVENDUST. Great guys, love Lajon, there all really good peeps.

AWAY-TEAM: They are one of my favorite bands out there. They definitely, just like you guys, put on one hell of a show.

AWAY-TEAM: What do you like so far the most about this tour and how does it feel to be headlining again?

KEITH NELSON: It’s fun to be out with the HELL YEAH guys. We played with then before. ALL THE REMAINS is a band that we really weren’t all the familiar with, but they are going over really well and they’re really good guys. The biggest surprise has really been THE DAMNED THINGS. I don’t really know that anyone knew what to make of them based on the bands that these guys came from. But they’re really just kick-ass rock and roll band. It’s been really, really fun to go and watch those guys play every night. The thing that I am really enjoying the most is that we are finally doing a headlining show where we are playing for an hour and a half and we get to really dig deep into our catalog and play some stuff that we haven’t got to play in a few years. And we can dig deep into the new record and play a few songs that we might not normally play when we play a shorter so. So that has been fun.

AWAY-TEAM: I’m one of those fans that like to hear the deep tracks. Glad to hear some of that is going to be in the set. Especially when I see you guys in Baltimore in a few weeks.

KEITH NELSON: Right on!

AWAY-TEAM: What is it that you want the fans to take away from this Jagermeister tour about BUCKCHERRY? Maybe some of them haven’t seen you guys before or they’ve only seen you once or twice.

KEITH NELSON: Ya know, I think that we look around at our peers and the people that are out there touring successfully in this day and age, I think that we’re one of the only few real rock and roll bands that are out there. Not saying that we’re the only one but there aren’t many and we really want fans to walk away from that thinking there are five guys making music on stage, there’s no backing tracks, there’s no smoke and mirrors. Just five guys making music.

AWAY-TEAM: Pure and raw.

KEITH NELSON: Just the way nature intended it.

AWAY-TEAM: Right! (laughing)

AWAY-TEAM: I do have a question about your set list. Is there a song that all of you agree must always be the show opener?

KEITH NELSON: No. Ha ha ha ha. We always disagree what song should be the show opener. But we disagree mildly. There are so many good choices for that. We’ve decided on one song that we will open with on every date of this tour. We’ve never opened with that song before. So we all definitely agreed on this one.

AWAY-TEAM: Good, that’s great. I can’t wait to see it, to hear it, to feel it. Because you guys definitely have the energy that I love to take in.

KEITH NELSON: Right on, thanks for that.

AWAY-TEAM: I have a question about your dream tour. Who would be on the bill with you guys, of course with you guys headlining.

KEITH NELSON: Well, I would probably be with something like Led Zepplin and the Sex Pistols and we would be sandwiched in between them somehow.

AWAY-TEAM: (Laughing) You would want to be in between instead of headlining?

KEITH NELSON: Oh yeah! We’re gonna let Led Zepplin headline, come on.

AWAY-TEAM: Well they are the epitome, one of THE best bands that everyone look to. You’re right.

AWAY-TEAM: What are the plans for BUCKCHERRY when the Jagermeister tour ends in February?

KEITH NELSON: Well after that we go up to Canada for three weeks and we’re taking Papa Roach up there with us. Continuing another leg of the Jagermeister tour. I know we are looking to getting over to Europe again in the spring and summer, playing some festivals over there. And some of our own shows. Really just spreading the word on this record and taking it out there and playing it for people.

AWAY-TEAM: The new release has been out since last August. How are the sales both physical and digital?

KEITH NELSON: Well, ya know, sales of records these days is really a weird subject because the bar keeps getting lowered and lowered. You can see that about two weeks ago the number one record on the billboard chart only sold 40,000 units. That’s unheard of. That wouldn’t even get you into the top 20 three or four years ago. So, sales are definitely declining across the board and I think given that we’re at a really good place in the market with where our record is. I think judging your success as a band based on solely on record sales is a big mistake. Because records just don’t sell by themselves. In 2011 we’re earmarked to play for more fans than we’ve ever played for and in more cities and more countries than we’ve ever played. So overall things are really good, really healthy with what’s going on with us.  

AWAY-TEAM: That’s great to hear you have that many shows in 2011. That is awesome!

KEITH NELSON: Yes, it is.

AWAY-TEAM: If you were able to cover one artist in your set, who would it be?

KEITH NELSON: Wow! If you would ask the five of us, you would get five different answers. I always wanted to do God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols. I just think that is a song we would do really well. That would get my vote.

AWAY-TEAM: Have you ever done it for soundcheck?

KEITH NELSON: No.

AWAY-TEAM: Do you think it would go over with the other guys?

KEITH NELSON: I think they would be into it.

AWAY-TEAM: Well, maybe toss it out there sometime.

KEITH NELSON: You never know.

AWAY-TEAM: I’m interviewing  you but if you could interview any one musician, who would it be?

KEITH NELSON: Ahhhhh. Steven Tyler. I would want to talk to him and get inside his head and ask him some questions.

AWAY-TEAM: I’m sure there’s a lot of shit floating around in his noggin’.

KEITH NELSON: Yeah.

AWAY-TEAM: And what are the top tunes in your ipod right now?

KEITH NELSON: All my favorite records are 20 or more years old. Ha ha ha. It’s crazy. Top tunes would be Horesehead by the BLACK CROWS, Seven Nation Army by WHITE STRIPES and Mannish Boy by MUDDY WATERS.

AWAY-TEAM: Some very good choices!

AWAY-TEAM: Last question Keith. You’re a Steelers fan. What do you think about the Superbowl?

KEITH NELSON: There’s only one way to think. Ya know, I think the Steelers are gonna win. I’m also lucky enough to be a Steelers fan AND a Ravens fan. It was very hard to watch those guys square off against each other. So I’ve kinda go neutral on that day. But, I’m a big Ravens fan as well. I think the AFC is going to prevail.

AWAY-TEAM: Amen. I think so too. I’m rooting for the Steelers even though I’m a Redskins fan.

KEITH NELSON: No doubt.

AWAY-TEAM: Gotta go with the PA team!

KEITH NELSON: That’s right.

AWAY-TEAM: Thanks so much Keith for all your time and your patience with this interview. And I’ll hopefully see you in Baltimore.

KEITH NELSON: Alright hon. Take care.

AWAY-TEAM: You too!

Check out all that is ‘pure and raw’ with BUCKCHERRY at their site: http://www.buckcherry.com/

Here is the 2011 Jagermeister Music Tour schedule:
Wed 19 Jan – San Diego, CA @ 4th and B
Fri 21 Jan – Anaheim, CA @ The Grove of Anaheim
Sat 22 Jan – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
Sun 23 Jan – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort
Tue 25 Jan – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Great Salt Air
Thu 27 Jan – Denver, CO @ Fillmore
Fri 28 Jan – Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
Sat 29 Jan – Des Moines, IA @ Seven Flags Center
Mon 31 Jan – Peoria, IL @ East Peoria Civic Center
Tue 01 Feb – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theatre
Wed 02 Feb – Waterloo, IA @ McElroy Auditorium
Fri 04 Feb – St Louis, MO @ Pop’s
Sat 05 Feb – Minneapolis MN @ 1st Avenue
Tue 08 Feb – Youngstown, OH @ Covelli Center
Wed 09 Feb – Louisville, KY @ Expo 5
Fri 11 Feb – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
Sat 12 Feb – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
Sun 13 Feb – Sayerville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Tue 15 Feb – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theatre
Wed 16 Feb – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Fri 18 Feb – Albany, NY @ Northern Lights
Sat 19 Feb – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
Sun 20 Feb – Manchester, NH @ Verizon Wireless Arena
Tue 22 Feb – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
Wed 23 Feb – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
Thu 24 Feb – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle

The 2011 Jagermeister Music Tour will feature Jagermeister custom tour prizes from Schecter Guitars and Peavey Electronics. In addition, Jagermeister will be hosting nightly text-to-win giveaways including tap machines, tee shirts, hats and other branded POS.

Special thanks to Keith Nelson for taking the time to speak with me, and to Pavla Mikula at ‘Stache Media for helping to make it happen.

“Ironiclast“, the debut album from THE DAMNED THINGS (featuring: Joe Trohman, Andy Hurley, Scott Ian, Rob Caggiano, Keith Buckley, Josh Newton) can be streamed in its entirety at Ultimate-Guitar.com.

“Ironiclast” will be released in North America on December 14 via Island/Def Jam.

“Ironiclast” tracklisting:
Handbook For The Recently Deceased
Bad Blood
Friday Night (Going Down In Flames)
We’ve Got A Situation Here
Black Heart
A Great Reckoning
Little Darling
Ironiclast
Grave Robber
Blues Having The Blues





Jagermeister Music Tour just announced it’s 2011 line up featuring BUCKCHERRY, HELLYEAH, ALL THAT REMAINS, & THE DAMNED THINGS.

Full Jagermeister Music Tour Dates:
Jan 19 San Diego CA 4th and B
Jan 21 Anaheim CA The Grove of Anaheim
Jan 22 Las Vegas NV The Joint
Jan 23 Reno NV Grand Sierra Resort
Jan 25 Salt Lake City UT The Great Salt Air
Jan 27 Denver CO Fillmore
Jan 28 Kansas City MO Midland Theatre
Jan 29 Des Moines IA Seven Flags Center
Jan 31 Peoria IL East Peoria Civic Center
Feb 01 Chicago IL Congress Theatre
Feb 02 Waterloo IA McElroy Auditorium
Feb 04 St Louis MO Pop’s
Feb 05 Minneapolis MN 1st Avenue
Feb 08 Youngstown OH Covelli Center
Feb 11 Myrtle Beach SC House of Blues
Feb 12 Baltimore MD Rams Head Live
Feb 13 Sayerville NJ Starland Ballroom
Feb 15 New York NY Best Buy Theatre
Feb 16 Uncasville CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb 18 Albany NY Northern Lights
Feb 19 Philadelphia PA Electric Factory
Feb 20 Manchester NH Verizon Wireless Arena
Feb 22 Charlotte NC Fillmore
Feb 23 Orlando FL Hard Rock Live
Feb 24 Atlanta GA Tabernacle

For more THE DAMNED THINGS click here.

Jägermeister, the brand known for decades of involvement with rock bands, continues to own the concert circuit with the 2011 Jägermeister Music Tour featuring Buckcherry. The Jägermeister Music Tour kicks off January 19th in San Diego, CA and plays 26 shows across the nation in celebration of Buckcherry‘s new single “It’s A Party” off of their recently released album All Night Long. Buckcherry will rock the 2011 Jägermeister Music Tour through February with HELLYEAH as direct support as well as ALL THAT REMAINS and The Damned Things. Each concert will also feature a local Jäger Band. Mr. Dee Jay, Brian Barr, known for delivering a great vibe and unique flavor, will spin during set changes to keep the party going.

Jagermeistermusictour.com will feature a free download of Buckcherry‘s “It’s A Party” as well as exclusive band video footage from Buckcherry, HELLYEAH, ALL THAT REMAINS and The Damned Things.

“For the brand’s 19th music tour, Jägermeister is bringing Buckcherry‘s raw rock together with the blazing metal style of HELLYEAH and ALL THAT REMAINS. Add some Jägermeister to the mix and you are looking at one of the top shows of the year,” says Bill Henderson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising at Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. “Additionally, instead of booking big arenas, Jägermeister continues to do things differently and is bringing this tour to theatres and ballrooms.”

The 2011 Jägermeister Music Tour will feature Jägermeister custom tour prizes from Schecter Guitars and Peavey Electronics. In addition, Jägermeister will be hosting nightly text-to-win giveaways including tap machines, tee shirts, hats and other branded POS. Giveaways are subject to state and local laws and participants must be of legal drinking age or older. Tickets for The 2011 Jägermeister Music Tour go on sale this Friday, December 10th. Visit www.jagermeistermusictour.com for more information.

Full Jagermeister Music Tour Dates:
Jan 19 San Diego CA 4th and B
Jan 21 Anaheim CA The Grove of Anaheim
Jan 22 Las Vegas NV The Joint
Jan 23 Reno NV Grand Sierra Resort
Jan 25 Salt Lake City UT The Great Salt Air
Jan 27 Denver CO Fillmore
Jan 28 Kansas City MO Midland Theatre
Jan 29 Des Moines IA Seven Flags Center
Jan 31 Peoria IL East Peoria Civic Center
Feb 01 Chicago IL Congress Theatre
Feb 02 Waterloo IA McElroy Auditorium
Feb 04 St Louis MO Pop’s
Feb 05 Minneapolis MN 1st Avenue
Feb 08 Youngstown OH Covelli Center
Feb 11 Myrtle Beach SC House of Blues
Feb 12 Baltimore MD Rams Head Live
Feb 13 Sayerville NJ Starland Ballroom
Feb 15 New York NY Best Buy Theatre
Feb 16 Uncasville CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb 18 Albany NY Northern Lights
Feb 19 Philadelphia PA Electric Factory
Feb 20 Manchester NH Verizon Wireless Arena
Feb 22 Charlotte NC Fillmore
Feb 23 Orlando FL Hard Rock Live
Feb 24 Atlanta GA Tabernacle

For more JAGERMEISTER MUSIC TOUR click here.