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Showing posts from April, 2011

Big 4 in Photos

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Yes, I went to the Big 4 show in Indio, CA. Yes, it was an amazing time. Metallica show #49 for me. Yes it's a bit of a low number. I weep at that. LOL I purchased the VIP tickets and was "impressed" by the poshness of the lounge area. We had a water feature. Yes, at a metal show there was a lovely water feature that would make Alan Titchmarch proud. I also availed myself of the sofas. Yes, Slayer. Metallica. Comfy Sofas. It fits. As for the actual VIP pit. Never got near it. The inept staff and non-existent signage made sure of that. Plenty of non English staff grunting about entering the field thru the exit corral and exiting the field thru the entrance corral. But not one of them pointed and in good broken english said the entrance to the VIP pit was along a wall. All I saw when I arrived was people and field. No barricade. No VIP pit area. $100 FAIL!!!! What I did see are a gaggle of other photographers. Prams. Guys with slicked up hair-dos. And lots and lots of kids.

Orion from Indio, CA's Big4 show!!!

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Hard to pick the best song of the night. But I'm choosing ORION just because I played it for my bass jury in college and got a B. Rob is much much better! LOL

Interviews with VOLBEAT, Collapse, Mikko Siren, Prosevere, and Carey Elwes

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Full length interviews with Volbeat's Jon and Thomas about the DIY approach to the music business and illumination. Insightful interview with Andrew Ongley of Collapse about the DIY approach to the music business and why it's important to have your hand in everything... are you sensing a pattern? LOL A great talk with Carey Elwes on the SAW films. Prosevere's Matt Riley on what the band is up to now. A favourite of mine, Mikko Siren of Apocalyptica on blue speedos. As usual, the issue is chock full of photography - by me of course! With two full pages dedicated to "What Metal is...."

"FALLEN" by VOLBEAT 2011April11

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Enjoy one of my favourite VOLBEAT songs: "FALLEN" recorded in Mesa, AZ on April 11, 2011.

10 Reasons Why VOLBEAT are Better than Zombies!!

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Screaming fans. The adoration of Thousands. Music. Flashing Lights. It's good to be a rock star. Or is it? What's never seen is the hundreds of man hours that go into giving the crowd 90minutes or so of bliss. VOLBEAT have cut a swath across the United States wowing crowds and winning converts. There seems to be no in between - either you love this band or you just don't get it. I LOVE THIS BAND!!!! Four albums into what promises to be a stunning career; Jon, Michael, Anders, and Thomas keep bringing their unique, quirky, lively, danceable, headbangable, groovable, toe tapping, ear bleeding, sing-a-long, FUN music to the masses. It's fresh and different in an industry that perpetuates cookie cutter mediocracy and one dimensional stereotypes. VOLBEAT shatters preconceptions of rock and roll! I had a totally awesome interview with Thomas Bredahl and Jon Larsen before their gig in Mesa, AZ. I loved the band's music before the interview. After the interview I loved t

The Hobbit! Not just a fantasy any more!!!

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So many rumors. So many false starts. But it's happening! It's really happening and I have proof!! Peter Jackson has released a video of him actually working on the HOBBIT!!! The sets look fantastic! Totally gobsmacking. He's going to outdo himself yet again! Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are returning to their rolls as Gandalf and Smeagal respectively. Peter Jackson is keeping his Facebook page well updated with production stills and videos. Go over there and LIKE the page to keep in the HOBBIT loop!

EVILE Tour Dates 2011

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OK - this is NOT a full listing of ALL the tour dates, but it's what I have so far. Amazing bunch of guys!! In the studio recording another sure to make your ears bleed album. Download!!!! And more! These guys rock and if you haven't heard them then you really should!

Bonded By Blood: Band Shake Up and Tour Dates

BONDED BY BLOOD have announced that BRANDON GULLING (MALUS REX, AVENGER OF BLOOD) and BEN BENNET (SMOG, WARBRINGER) will be filling in on the tour for amicably departing members ALEX LEE (guitar) and JERRY GARCIA (bass) respectively. Remaining BONDED BY BLOOD members CARLOS REGALADO, JUAN JUAREZ and MAURO GONZALEZ have released the following statement: "Bonded By Blood has gone through so many changes in the last couple of years while playing amazing festivals, touring the entire United States, Europe and Canada dozens of times, and enjoying the time with new and old friends and fans all over the world who mean the most to us. We first lost our original bass player, Ruben Dominguez back in 2009, then singer Jose Barrales left the band in 2010, but each was replaced with new members and the group marched on. Now, we regret to announce that Alex Lee (guitar) and Jerry Garcia (bass) are also stepping away from BBB. We will miss them just as much as we miss Ruben and Jose, and

Countdown....

SLAYER MINUS HANNEMAN

SLAYER without Jeff Hanneman is now a reality. He's made an announcement today, April 01, 2011 that he's decided to leave the band. Far from being an April Fools Joke he says: "In what is probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, I have decided to part company with Slayer. You can imagine how difficult this was for me to do, what with Slayer being such a big part of my life for like thirty years, but due to my problems with my arm, I’ve been left with little other option. I’d just like to say thank you so much to the guys for helping me a part of something so important and amazing, and also a huge thanks should go to you, the fans, for all the support you’ve given me over the years. Thanks again guys! You rule!" From the Slayer camp: "We are completely saddened by Jeff’s decision to leave the band after so long, but we don’t want him to rush his recovery, which has suffered another setback recently. He’s more than just a guitarist, as I think our