What day is it? What day IS IT? Well, you know…..
Puscifer last night at NYC’s Terminal 5 wasn’t JUST a concert! It was an EVENT! Lucha Libre wrestlers (3 men/2 women) entered the ring that also served as the performance platform for Maynard Keenan (nattily dressed in a suit with a leather wrestling mask and his signature merkin wig) and Carina Round (With dark eyes made up like a raccoon.) (See The Remedy video and you will get the drift. They used the same mike stands and similar clothing last night.) The rest of the band, guitarist Mat Mitchell, drummer Jeff Friedl (with his kit placed in front of the ring at center stage and dressed in a black body suit and wrestler mask,) bassist Paul Barker (Ministry) and multi-instrumentalist Mahsa Zargaran, stood on either side of the ring, with the wrestlers walking around the stage at times, or sitting on benches with other band members who would take turns sitting briefly. There was even a mock rooster fighter (Relax PETA, it was with mechanical roosters.)
The video visuals were outstanding, with screens set up behind and at the front on either side of the stage which showed videos of characters like Major Douche and Billy D that have been a part of the Puscifer entourage of characters. One announcer warned the audience that Carina’s cobra escaped from it’s cage and to pick it up by the back of its head if found. (Sure) Actually Carina’s movements were very cobra-like, come to think of it. Anyhow, the show was mesmerizing and the place was packed. If this tour is coming anywhere near where you live, I encourage you to see it.
Meanwhile, the other show in town last night was Adele at Radio City Music Hall. I had to laugh this morning as I have the Today show on, and there, standing in the crowd, was my co-worker Katherine who produces Nights with Alice Cooper. Very funny to see someone you know on tv like that. Wish I could’ve recorded for her! Where’s my VHS when I need it! LOL
In the news today, The Pulse Of Radio posted Tool announced their tour yesterday and will embark on a U.S. tour in January, with the first confirmed date on Jan 9th in San Diego and the last so far on January 26th in Charlotte, NC. Just eight shows have been unveiled so far, although at least another eight are expected to be announced as well. Direct support on the trek will come from Primus, with Los Angeles act 3Teeth also on the bill.
Tool always brings an elaborate stage show on the road and drummer Danny Carey told us a while back that they’re always out to make it more impressive: “We have a whole team of people that we are constantly working with, trying to come up with better and bigger things and, you know, just ways to reinforce the songs, you know, ways to reinforce the music and all the art that we come up with.”
Tool hasn’t performed more than 20 shows in a single year since 2007. The band recently performed their lone concert of 2015 in Arizona on Halloween. Although the group has been working on new material, it’s next to impossible the band will have a new record out in time for the tour.
Oh man, Pulse also reporting on this. Of Mice And Men singer Austin Carlile has revealed he will undergo hip and back surgery soon, according to Loudwire. Carlile mentioned the upcoming operations on Twitter, but did not elaborate further. They are most likely related to his struggle with Marfan Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that has already led to several surgeries for Carlile and the removal of a rib in the past year alone. He was hospitalized abruptly last June 6th, forcing the band to cancel several shows, and ended up in surgery. He spent the summer in recovery and physical therapy, tweeting at one point in mid-July that he was going to therapy three times a week.
The band canceled several fall appearances while Carlile continued his recovery. They are still listed as performing at Ozzfest Japan on Nov 21st. Of Mice And Men has also used the downtime to work on material for its next album. I’ll have to check in on the band to see what is up. Say a prayer for our friend Austin. He’s a good man.
I mean, this is old news, but I guess since everyone’s been writing about it, I will share. Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett confirmed in an interview with an Albany, NY radio station at one point, the band considered firing founding drummer Lars Ulrich back in 1986. The long-running rumor first gained traction in 2009 when ex-Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine revealed it to Rolling Stone, and surfaced again when Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian discussed it while doing press for his 2014 memoir, I’m The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax.
Asked about the rumor by Albany station, Hammett revealed, “That was just an old thing, you know. I think at one point or another, we were pissed off at Lars, around maybe 1985 or something. We were unhappy and we might have grumbled something to someone. And then that person might have picked up on it and made it something a lot bigger than it actually was… To be completely honest, (Lars) has a lot of drive, and that’s a part of the reason why I love the man. His drive and his motivation is just so intense, you know.” OK so now you know. Really sort of a non-story if you ask me!
Pulse also reporting Linkin Park performed an intimate 90-minute show on Saturday night (Nov 14th) in Los Angeles as part of a Music For Relief benefit. The highlight of the band’s performance came when they were joined by Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus and No Doubt drummer Adrian Young to perform their 2003 smash “Numb.” Hoppus was also the emcee of the six-hour event, which also featured a silent auction and DJ set from Steve Aoki. Meanwhile, Linkin Park is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the release of their debut album, Hybrid Theory. Chester Bennington will be our Featured Artist of the Week, representin’ LP the week of Nov 30th on hardDrive XL with Lou Brutus.
Blabbermouth reports today Evanescence singer Amy Lee has posted a video online for her new cover version of U2‘s “With Or Without You” at her new YouTube channel. Lee said about the track, “Sometimes I dream in music. This dark version of U2’s immortal song was playing in my head as I woke up one morning. I was lingering in that half-awake, half-asleep place, with no images — just darkness, this song and huge emotions. As I was becoming conscious, I just kept thinking, ‘Don’t let it go, don’t forget!’ And I went straight upstairs and laid down the synth and basic vocal.” She added, “Love is rarely simple; more often, it’s tearing your guts out. And I think that’s why this song creeps into my dreams and haunts me.”
And finally today, our friends Pop Evil just posted their new video for “Ways to Get High.” The very cool clip was directed by their long-time video director, Johan Carlen. Frontman Leigh Kakaty said, “This song is a chance to free your mind and express yourself in whatever mood you may be in. Find your shine!“