This morning started out with the news I sort of posted yesterday, then took down, but now it’s totally out there! Introducing a new band: SAINT ASONIA. Adam Gontier (Three Days Grace), Mike Mushok (Staind/Newsted), Rich Beddoe (Finger Eleven) and Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo/Stereomud/Eye Empire.) To say I am stoked about this is an understatement! Been rooting for them to finally start a project that radio will welcome with open arms, and this is definitely the one. Wonderers are wondering what the significance of May 16th is. Hmmmm. What could it be? A single isn’t coming then. Could it be a peformance? I know it is signed to RCA and a June single release is eminent. Stay tuned!
Also news is the next single from Marilyn Manson will be one that I encouraged them to pick, so I hope people agree: “The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles.” Has a nice ring to it, right? We have fingers crossed that the planets are aligned properly and Manson grants Lou Brutus some time at Rock on the Range next week.
Tonight, Muse plays the first of two small theater shows in New York City (May 8th) to promote next month’s release of its new album Drones, and fans are sure to hear a few new tracks from the disc. But drummer Dominic Howard told us there’s a good chance the band will perform the record in its entirety later in the year: “We’re figuring that out now, but I think we definitely will play it from start to finish for sure, but it’s — I’ll tell you what, what’s becoming the most difficult thing is, every album you do, the set list is getting harder and harder and harder to pick the tracks, because we’ve got too many. But I think, yeah, down the line we’re definitely gonna play it from start to finish.” Next week, I will get to see Faith No More for the first time in nearly 20 years! That’s so INSANE! And can’t wait to see how my boys Of Mice & Men are doing now they are HEADLINERS! WOO HOO!
Ya know, I can’t believe all the haters hating on In This Moment‘s “Sex Metal Barbie.” If all these basement pimple-pickers would listen to the lyrics and maybe read some interviews, they would understand (1) the band wanted to try something different doing all this theatrical stuff. I mean, you could see it coming in their previous tours. And (2) this particular song is Maria Brink talking about all the things she’s been called, lies told about here and the like. Maria also wanted to try directing videos and I think she’s done a great job. So people, stop hating! Here’s the new video for “Sex Metal Barbie.” Go pop some more pimples.
Slash is in NYC. He performed yesterday morning on the CBS This Morning. When asked about the possibility of a reunion of the classic Guns N’ Roses lineup, he gave a somewhat surprising answer: “I’ve got to be careful what I say there. I mean, if everybody wanted to do it and do it for the right reasons, I think the fans would love it. I think it might be fun at some point to try and do that.” Asked what the “right reasons” might be, Slash said, “I mean, that’s a hard one. That just starts to get into a whole complex thing . . . It’s really between the guys in the band.” But pressed on whether he thought it was likely, Slash said, “Never say never.” (I find it funny since he absolutely HATES getting asked this question….you can only imagine the number of times he’s been asked over the years. But this is the most candid he’s been in a while!)
Meanwhile, Slash also has partnered with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to raise awareness of the slaughter of elephants which is leading to their early extinction. To watch the video for their new tune, “Beneath The Savage Sun,” and get the song for free, donate (HERE) and take action (HERE). The U.S.-based charity IFAW works around the world on every aspect of the elephant crisis-on the front lines to stop the killing of elephants, in transit countries to stop the trafficking of ivory and in consumer countries to stop the demand for ivory products. For more information, visit: www.ifaw.org.
While on tour in South Africa, Slash and the lead singer of his band Myles Kennedy witnessed the devastation of the elephants first-hand and knew they had to act. Together, they wrote the song “Beneath The Savage Sun” from the perspective of an elephant whose family has been wiped out. The hypnotic rock song is a highlight on the group’s critically acclaimed current album, World On Fire.
“An elephant is killed every 15 minutes for its ivory and the result is the elephant population has declined 95% in the past century,” explains Slash. “Seeing that these majestic animals are on the path to extinction, possibly within the next decade, we wrote ‘Beneath The Savage Sun’ and partnered with IFAW. Donate to IFAW’s work to take action and protect elephants.” For more: slashonline.com.
The Temperance Movement were in the hardDriveRadio studios and we recorded a couple of tunes with Phil Campbell and the boys. Check out “Take It Back.” And note, Phil had a bad sore throat that day. He did a great job! And good job to editor Shane Snider! You rocked this!
And finally today, Maynard James Keenan of Tool and Puscifer was in town this week, dining and drinking one of my favorite wines! Read all about it here!
Rocking birthdays this weekend: Today: Alex Van Halen is 62! Sunday, Danny Carey of Tool is 54 and Bono of U2 is 55.