Away Team

The heavy metal time machine will turn back to the 1980s and ʻ90s when Queensryche, Cinderella, Ratt, Kix, Warrant and Night Ranger are among the 19 bands to take over Merriweather Post Pavilion, playing full sets of their glam rock and heavy metal hits.

For the first time, M3 fans wonʼt have to choose between bands with overlapping set times, since each band will play one at a time. Also, the festival will take place on two separate stages, each simulcasting the other, giving fans the option to stay in one seat and watch
all the bands as they appear on both stages, or fans can move from stage to stage without missing a note.

In its fourth year, I.M.P. Presents M3 Rock Festival starts with The Official M3 Kix-Off Party Friday May 11th at 7pm. Acts playing Friday night include Night Ranger, Kix, Enuff ZʼNuff, In the Pink and Let There Be Rock. The fullblown 2012 M3 Rock Festival begins Saturday, May 12th at 11am and will include Queensryche, Cinderella, Ratt, Skid Row, Warrant, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Stryper, Loudness, Lynch Mob, XYZ, Bang Tango, Drumwars, and Street Light Circus.

Each year VIP and Pavilion seats sell out in minutes. VIP and discounted 2-Day Packages will go on sale Friday, Feb. 3 at 10am EST through Ticketfly. If there are any tickets remaining as of February 24th, they will go on sale as Single-Day tickets at 10 am EST. Tickets can also be purchased at the Merriweather and 9:30 Club Box Offices. For more information, visit http://www.ticketfly.com/ or http://www.m3rockfest.com

VIP ticket holders will have:
• Private VIP Entrance gate
• Official M3 2012 Festival T-shirt
• Official M3 2012 Concert Poster
• Access to floor and prime pavilion seating
• Access to M3 VIP Deck located backstage (includes access to VIP concessions and VIP restrooms)
• Access to Artist Meet-&-Greet Lounge.

For more M3 click here.

Queensryche
30th Anniversary Tour
Tuesday 8NOV11
Lincoln Theatre
Raleigh, NC



I think I’ve said on here once or twice that I am a huge Queensryche fan. If not, here ya go. That being said, I have tried to like their newer albums. American Soldier actually was a good album, their best since Promised Land, but the rest just fall a little flat for me.

I have listened to Queensryche since I first heard the EP in 1984. I first saw them in 1988 when the opened for Metallica on the Damaged Justice Tour in San Francisco. Loved the music but thought they were lost on stage in an arena (I was really high that night too, so it could have just been me).

I wouldn’t have the chance to see them again until Building Empires Tour in 1992 where they blew me away by performing Mindcrime in its entirety! They filled the arena and performed like they deserved to be there too.

Many years have gone by and Queensryche has released several albums that the fans (me included) have debated whether they were Ryche worthy or not. But one thing Queensryche has always done well (at least since 92 for me) is perform well live.

They have made sure that they always have a reason for you to come see their show, whether it’s performing suites (large sections of albums) or albums in their entirety, they always give you a reason to see their next tour (besides being a tremendous live band now).

For their 30th Anniversary Tour they have actually reverted back to the old fashioned tour dogma of playing a little something from everything. And I do believe every album was represented (other than their recent covers album) in the set they performed here in Raleigh.

The band in their infinite wisdom didn’t just come out and perform ‘The Lady Wore Black’ and run through their hits chronologically, they mixed it up, Starting the set with the latest ‘Get Started’ and moved on to a brilliant version of ‘Damaged’. The sole representation of Promised Land was a real treat for me and live was great and no small feat to pull off in my opinion!

‘Desert Dance’ off of Tribe was actually a great tune live. And maybe that’s what their latest studio albums need to bring them to life or more favor to their fans, to be performed live. You can always tell the newer tunes (anything after Promised Land in my opinion is the ‘newer’ stuff) when they’re performed because they just seem to be a little less… connected maybe? It is very difficult for me to describe, but my girlfriend was with me at the show (her third Queensryche show thanks to me) and she would even turn to me during the newer stuff and remark that it must be a newer song because it was missing something. It wasn’t as ‘rich’ as the other tunes and this is from someone who only hears them when I play them and live she can even tell the difference between pre-Promised Land and post-Promised Land material.

The highlight of the night for me had to be ‘The Real World’. I have never seen it performed live and never thought I would considering it was a cast off from the soundtrack to Last Action Hero. And I wasn’t sure they could pull it live considering the heavy string arrangement by the late Michael Kamen (RIP Sir) but it sounded fantastic and had half the crowd shaking their head wondering where the song was from and the other half drooling over it.

Queensryche‘s run from NM 156 to Screaming In Digital was a stroke of brilliance and I’ve often wondered why they haven’t done it before. Geoff Tate’s voice hasn’t lost a step over the years, he may not be able to hold the higher notes as long as he used to, but he still puts on a hell of a show and sings his ass off and does himself and the band proud. In the age of all these 80’s bands trying to sing their old stuff after 30 years of vocal abuse and simple age and mangling their legacy doing so (see Joe Elliot of Def Leppard, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt, Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, etc, etc, etc) it is great to see someone able to still sing their material correctly and not just that, but very well done!

The Ryche may not be headlining arenas anymore but based on their live shows they should be. The theaters we’re seeing them in today makes for an intimate setting but the sound that the band generates should be filling arenas around the world. A live Queensryche show is always something to behold and they always come up with a new reason to go see them, and see them you should. The band has been around for 30 years for a reason, and their live show says everything you need to know about them. Michael Wilton is a great guitarist and Parker Lundgren holds his own with Michael and the band. Eddie Jackson has always been a beast at the bass and there may only be one or two people better on the drums that Scott Rockenfield. The man can certainly go step for step with Mike Portnoy and Neil Peart. And as I’ve already stated, the showmanship and vocals of Geoff Tate are nothing short of spectacular 30 years on!

For more QUEENSRYCHE click here.

3 DOORS DOWN- Time of My Life

Universal/ Republic

Rating:  7 out of 10

Reviewed by: Jay Rybak

While I admittedly have not been a fan of much of the work 3 Doors Down has done as of late, I have been digging their new single “Every Time You Go”.  That being said, I decided to delve into their latest offering Time of My Life to see what other ear-pleasing entrees lie within.  What I found was an album packed with more ups and downs than the ongoing NFL Labor negotiations.

The album jumps out of the gates with the guitar-heavy, high energy title track.  Once we get primed and ready to go, the boys from Mississippi take things down a notch with their hit ballad, “When You’re Young”.  Enjoyable nonetheless, the first single off of the album is an ode to overbearing parental guidance and crushed dreams.  From here, the train gets rolling again with “Round and Round”.  Though not the Ratt cover I was hoping for when I saw the name of the track, this one is another high energy cymbal-smasher that keeps drummer Greg Upchurch busier than Tiger Woods at a Sorority Slumber Party.

The up and down pattern continues through the next couple of tracks; from the self-lamenting love ballad “Heaven”, to the energetic “Race For the Sun”.  “Back to Me” follows up with a musical sound similar to that of Shinedown’s .45, but is unfortunately combined with a lyrical quality that makes it destined to be the song of choice for high-school Romeo’s trying to get to first base at the school dance.

One of the album’s least desirable tracks is followed up by one of it’s brightest spots.  The latest single “Every Time You Go” is a catchy, solid tune, destined for major radio play.  It’s one of those songs you “hate to love”, because once it gets in your head it stays there like the friend we’ve all had that doesn’t quite know when it’s time to head home.  Despite not every song in the album’s first half being a home run hitter, I can still see myself singing karaoke to any one of them after indulging in a few adult beverages.

You ask “What’s Left?”  Well that just so happens to be the name of the next track in this ballad-rocker roller coaster.  The aforementioned is a slight departure from the norm, in that upon first listen you might think your CD player malfunctioned and you were listening to the Country music station.  That doesn’t necessarily make it a bad song, let’s just call it different.  Speaking of different, the next track, “On The Run”, is an interesting musical mashup that sounds like Matchbox 20 teamed up with Jake E. Lee on guitar.  A tough call, definitely one that will require several more listens before I make my love/hate determination.

Track #10, “She Is Love”, I do not.  This is by no means a knock on Santana, but the emulation of the latin guitar god’s style on this track, leaves us with something more suitable for a retirement community dining room.  Within the first minute of this one I was overcome with the smell of White Diamonds and urine.  Once I got my bearings back and made sure there weren’t any dentures in my water, I was met with the pleasant surprise that is “My Way”.  This is 3 Doors Down in it’s purest… redemption.  Just as I was ready to write this one off as just another mediocre album from 3 Doors Down, enter the final chapter, “Believer”.  Now we’re talking!  This riff-heavy, fast paced, foot stomper is just the smash in the teeth they needed to rescue this album from mediocrity.  Perhaps my favorite song on the album, the guitar solo at approximately 2:15 is enough to make any air guitarists fingers bleed.  But be careful not to get any blood on the stereo when you press the repeat button on this one.

All in all, Time of My Life give you much more (and much less) than you bargained for, but the good outweighs the bad here, and this album comes Highly Recommended.

Time of My Life hits stores this Tuesday July 19th.  For more info on 3 Doors Down including tour dates, and to purchase music click here

Y&T will be holding a special New Year’s Eve Benefit Concert for original bassist Phil Kennemore who was recently been diagnosed with metastatic cancer. The event will be held on December 31st at The Avalon in Santa, Clara, CA. Doors are at 8PM and tickets are $75. 100% of the proceeds will go to Phil Kennemore.

Special guests who have volunteered to perform include:
Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE)
Don Dokken (DOKKEN)
Bobby Blotzer (RATT)
Vinny Appice (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL)
Sean McNabb (Dokken, MONTROSE)
Loren Gold (ROGER DALTREY)
Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT)

Friends who have donated items/services to help include:
Frankie Banali (QUIET RIOT), Joey Allen, Erik Turner from WARRANT, Jeff Scott Soto (ex-TALISMAN, JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), TIGERTAILZ, Timothy Drury (ex-WHITESNAKE).

Very special guest performances and unique auction items available at the event. Other auction items available at the Y&T web site.














For more info visit Meniketti.com.

The SCORPIONS announced this year that they will leave it all on the stage after 40+ years of entertaining fans worldwide. The band is currently out on their Get Your Sting And Blackout farewell world tour and will hit the states Friday, June 18th to kick off the North American leg in Holmdel, NJ.
The German rockers will be bring their heavy, full-on, electrically charged energy to major cities across the US including Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver and many more as they celebrate the success of their latest and final album Sting In The Tail. Special guests on the tour will include VINCE NEIL, CINDERELLA, GREAT WHITE, DOKKEN, RATT, TESLA supporting along the way. The full tour itinerary is below.
Thus far the Scorpions have taken the Get Your Sting And Blackout farewell world tour to Germany, Switzerland and France and received rave reviews.
Claus Meine continues to thank their loyal fans and invite them out to the biggest party of the year: “We are so incredibly happy about the fantastic feedback we have been receiving from around the world on Sting In The Tail. We can’t wait to see our fans soon!”

Tour dates:
June (with Cinderella)
18 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
19 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
22 – Wantagh, NY – Jones Beach Theater
June (with Vince Neil)
23 – Gilford, NH – Meadowbrook Amphitheatre
June (with Cinderella)
25 – Quebec City, QC – Pavillion de la Juenesse
26 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
27 – Toronto, ON – Molson Amphitheatre
30 – Columbus, OH – LC Outdoor Amphitheatre
July (with Cinderalla)
1 – Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
2 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Amphitheatre at Station Square
July (with Great White)
6 – Cleveland, OH – Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre
July (with Cinderella)
8 – Sarnia, ON – Sarnia Bayfest Festival
July (with Ratt)
10 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
11 – Memphis, TN – Mud Island
14 – Atlanta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
16 – Miami, FL – Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
17 – Tampa, FL – Ford Amphitheatre
19 – New Orleans, LA – Mahalia Jackson Theatre
21 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
23 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
July (with Cinderella)
24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre
July (with Tesla)
26 – Albuquerque, NM – The Pavilion
27 – Phoenix, AZ – Dodge Theater
July (with Cinderella)
29 – Ontario, CA – Citizen’s Business Bank Arena
31 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre
August (with Cinderella)
1 – San Francisco, CA – Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord
3 – Las Vegas, NV – Thomas & Mack Center
August (with Ratt)
4 – Sacramento, CA – Raley Field
August (with Dokken)
6 – Roseburg, OR – Douglas County Fairgrounds
7 – Ridgefield, WA – Amphitheatre at Clark County
August (support TBA)
9 – Calgary, AB – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
10 – Edmonton, AB – Shaw Conference Center
13 – Sturgis, SD – Buffalo Chip Campground
14 – Billings, MT – Montana Fair
August (with Tesla, Jackyl)
16 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
August (with Cinderella)
17 – Denver, CO – 1st Bank Center
August (with Dokken)
20 – Moline, IL – I Wireless Center
August (with MSG)
21 – Chicago, IL – The Rosemont

For all things SCORPIONS check out their website here.

Ratt have been forced to cancel their upcoming European tour dates. Vocalist Stephen Pearcy will be undergoing urgent hernia surgery this week. The band regrets missing the European dates on the heels of the release of their first album in 11 years, Infestation, which enjoyed a high chart debut in European territories.
Ratt shares this disappointment with all their European fans who planned to attend the shows at Sweden Rock, Sauna Open Air Festival, UK Download, Hellfest, Grasspop and Gods of Metal as well as their other dates. The band is looking into rescheduling as many of the shows as possible.
Pearcy‘s doctors anticipate a full recovery in time for Ratt’s North American touring schedule, which includes a run with THE SCORPIONS, beginning in July and running through September.

For more information you can go to Ratt’s website here.