04.28.06 (AP) CHEAP TRICK are suing Sony Music, claiming they are being short-changed on royalties for songs downloaded legally over the Internet. The suit, filed at a federal court in Manhattan along with The Allman Brothers Band, claims Sony BMG Music Entertainment has failed to live up to a contract requiring that it pay its musicians half of the net revenue it receives from licensing songs to download services like iTunes and Napster. Sony BMG Music Entertainment has been paying the artists less than that amount for songs downloaded legally over the Internet, in part because their record deals predate the existence of legal music sales over the Internet. According to the suit, the record company is treating digital downloads like traditional record sales, rather than licensed music, triggering a different royalty deal. Under that old rubrik, the record company deducts fees for the kind of extra costs they used to incur when records were pressed on vinyl, including packaging charges, restocking costs and losses due to breakage. Tracks sold over the Internet usually go for about 99 cents. About 70 cents of the sale price goes to Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The bands are currently getting only 4 1/2 cents per song according to the suit, rather than the approximately 30 cents they claim is rightfully theirs. "I feel strongly that the record company is doing the wrong thing," says Brian Caplan, an attorney for both Cheap Trick and The Allman Brothers Band. A spokesman for Sony BMG Music Entertainment did not immediately respond to inquiries about the lawsuit. The bands are seeking to have the suit declared a class action filing, which would cover all Sony Music artists who signed deals between 1962 and 2002. The Allman Brothers Band signed its current Sony Music deal in 1989. Cheap Trick's deal dates all the way back to 1976. While the amount of money at stake per song is small, it could add up to millions of dollars for Sony if a court rules for the bands. Caplan estimated that there may as many as 2,500 recording artists covered if it turns into a class action suit. Sony Music is part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, a joint venture of Sony Corp. and Germany's Bertelsmann AG.

04.27.06 (RockAndMetal.com) The latest offering from YOUNG PEOPLE, "All At Once," has just been released by Too Pure Recordings. Now a duo of Katie Eastburn and Jarrett Silberman, "All At Once" was recorded in L.A. and the end result is a welcome listen - eleven delicately-crafted tracks that collectively make for arguably the group's strongest work to date. Katie Eastburn points out: "It's beautiful, because what you hear is two solitary impulses which have met, and feel synergistic with each other." The new album came together from demos the pair would record alone, sending tapes and CDR's cross-country for the other to evaluate. Eastburn and Silberman soon warmed to the new approach: "It would often be difficult to tell how a song really sounded in the rehearsal room," explains Silberman, "and this was a better way to make sure the songs only had what needed to be there." "It's easier to collaborate this way," agrees Katie Eastburn. "If you have a song idea rejected in the practice room, it can be quite a bummer. But if I send Jarrett a tape of nine song ideas, and he's excited about five of them, then I feel good." As they wrote and demo'd songs throughout the early months of 2005, a mood was emerging. "The demos were recorded on my computer's microphone, and on Katie's hand-held tape recorder, so they sound kind of dark and muffled, which became the sound of the record," explains Jarrett Silberman. Lyrically, the album comes from a turbulent place, adds Eastburn. "My brother is a soldier, he's back from Iraq at the moment but will probably have to return, which is the most depressing thing. The war was an influence upon the lyrics, and also I broke up with someone, so some of the material reflects that. And then I started seeing someone new. A few days a week I'm making dance and music with teenagers in public schools in Manhattan, and a few days a week I'm selling luxury goods to rich people. I'm living alone and busting my ass to do so, commuting all over the city and crashing in blessed solitude, praying my guts out for my little brother. So, there was a lot going on." All of which explains the overall ambience of the new album, a brooding, bitterly wise release with a well-measured sense of drama - understated and utterly sublime. Not that Young People are contained by a single mood or theme. "Our music runs the full gamut," says Eastburn. "If there's any overwhelming feeling behind Young People, it's gratitude. We try not to waste people's time."
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04.26.06 (RockAndMetal.com) 17 years after the last tour by The Cars -- one of the most successful and influential bands of the late '70s/early '80s New Wave era -- two of its members have customized a modern model that's ready to hit the road next month in the form of THE NEW CARS. Joining The Cars' original guitarist Elliot Easton and keyboardist Greg Hawkes for Road Rage Tour 2006 (Presented by VH1 Classic), will be an all-star group of rockers: vocalist/guitarist Todd Rundgren, fellow Utopia bassist/vocalist Kasim Sulton and former Tubes drummer Prairie Prince. Newly inducted Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers, Blondie will ride shotgun with The New Cars, performing classics from their new Greatest Hits - Sound & Vision album (Capitol/EMI) which includes the new hit 'Rapture Riders,' a mash-up of Blondie's 'Rapture' and The Doors' 'Riders On The Storm.' "Audiences know these songs and want to re-experience them in a live context," says Todd Rundgren, "as The New Cars we want to pay homage to The Cars and know that the best-known songs are the essential core, what we're hanging our hats on." While concertgoers can certainly expect to hear all of The Cars' biggest hits, the band says they can also look forward to Rundgren's own signature tunes along with several new songs the band recently recorded. Keyboardist Greg Hawkes notes that "The Cars' music has aged very well." A greatest hits collection performed by The New Cars, "The New Cars: It's Alive," will be released May 9th on Eleven Seven Music in association with ADA, a Warner Music Group Company. The new release will include classic Cars songs recorded live plus never-before-released studio tracks. Tour Dates: 05/26 Reno, NV Reno [Events Center Downtown] • 05/27 Kelseyville, CA [Konocti Field Amphitheater] • 05/30 Englewood, CO [Coors Amphitheatre] • 06/01 Hinckley, MN [Grand Casino Amphitheatre] • 06/03 Highland Park, IL [Ravinia Pavilion] • 06/04 Cuyahoga Falls, OH [Blossom Music Center] • 06/06 Washington DC [TBA] • 06/07 Boston, MA [Bank Of America Pavilion] • 06/09 Wantagh, NY [Jones Beach Music Theater] • 06/10 Holmdel, NJ [PNC Bank Arts Center] • 06/13 Orlando, FL [Hard Rock Live @ Universal Studios] • 06/14 Clearwater, FL [Ruth Eckerd Hall] • 06/15 Hollywood, FL [Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino] • 06/17 Atlanta, GA [Chastain Park Amphitheater] • 06/18 North Charleston, SC [Oyster Shell & North Charleston Coliseum] • 06/21 Toronto, ON [Molson Amphitheatre] • 06/23 Montreal, QC [Bell Centre] • 06/24 Atlantic City, NJ [The Borgata Event Center] • 06/25 Uncasville, CT [Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort] • 06/30 Clarkston, MI [DTE Energy Music Theatre] • 07/01 Saratoga Springs, NY [Saratoga Performing Arts Center]
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04.25.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Canadian Rockers IDLE SONS will release a new album entitled "Sixteen Seasons" next week on Tuesday, May 2nd via EMI Music Canada. Despite some significant setbacks getting their music out, the Burlington-based quartet -- comprised of Mike Eastick, Sean Kelly, Bruce Nicol and Ryan Barkwell -- kept persevering, kept playing, and have emerged a stronger and wiser unit from the experience of searching for the right label - a conduit they could count on to release their music which they found in EMI. A 12-track express train of fret-frenetic Rock tunes born out of a 20-day studio session in British Columbia working with Gggarth and Gavin MacKillop, "Sixteen Seasons" was mixed by David Thoener & Chris Lord-Alge, and proves Idle Sons to be the music biz survivors that they are. "Working with Gggarth at his place in Gibson's Landing, BC, was a dream," says vocalist/guitarist Mike Eastick. "That first Rage (Against The Machine) album literally changed my life when I was thirteen. That was the record that made me pick up the guitar. The rest of the guys felt the same way. And now we were in the studio with the guy and he was helping us on songs that we wrote." And the momentum continues with Idle Sons, as tour dates in support of "Sixteen Seasons" have been confirmed, taking them throughout Quebec and Ontario in May (including a week's worth of dates with Seether from 5/11-5/18). The band already sold 1,000 copies of a limited edition tour EP over their two-week, west coast tour with Default in March. Their lead single, 'Tell Me,' is getting significant attention at radio nationally in Canada, where the video for that track can be seen on MuchMusic - added recently into rotation on MuchMoreMusic. Idle Sons have also built up a powerful online following, as well as being the featured band for the Canadian Poker Championship when it was taped in the Bahamas recently. 'Tell Me' is also featured in opening/closing credits and in promos for that show, which has an average viewership of over 150,000 per episode. Tour Dates: 05/03 Barrie, ON [Foundation Nite Club] • 05/04 Burlington, ON [Big Bucks] • 05/11 Quebec City, PQ [Le Capitole] • 05/12 Montreal, PQ [Le Spectrum] • 05/13 Ottawa, ON [Capital Music Hall] • 05/14 Toronto, ON [Kool Haus] • 05/15 Kitchener, ON [Element] • 05/16 London, ON [Cowboy's Ranch] • 05/18 Thunder Bay ON [Auditorium] • 05/21 Grand Bend, ON [Motorplex]
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04.24.06 (RockAndMetal.com) KORN and concert producer Live Nation will reintroduce The Family Values Tour this Summer with a 30-city trek through North America. The traveling festival will feature Korn and Deftones along with Stone Sour, Flyleaf and Dir En Gray on the main stage. Set to launch July 27th in Virginia Beach, Virginia, The Family Values Tour marks the return of the highly successful music festival, which Korn created and headlined in 1998. For the first time, The Family Values Tour will also feature a second stage. Acts appearing on the second stage will be announced shortly. "When Family Values first started, it felt like music was fresh and exciting," says Korn frontman Jonathan Davis. "We want to recreate that same feeling for our fans, and offer them a full day of fun and some great music." Korn are touring in support of their first release on Virgin Records, "See You On The Other Side," which has sold over 1.7 million copies worldwide in just four months, and has spawned the major radio and video hits 'Twisted Transistor' and 'Coming Undone.' Through Korn's unique partnership with Live Nation, lawn tickets for The Family Values Tour are being offered for only $9.99, with value-priced seating available at every outdoor amphitheatre stop on the Summer trek. "Let's face it, ticket prices suck," says Davis. "Kids shouldn't be shut out of concerts. We wanted to see if we could do something about it, and our new deal gives us the chance to give something back." Korn's desire to offer value-priced tickets is consistent with their reputation as artists known for unconventional moves that challenge industry standards and expectations. The effect of their unique partnerships is not limited to concert tickets. The innovative deal expands on the unprecedented partnership Korn created with EMI Music in September of 2005. Through that deal, the band have also been able to offer their latest album for $9.99 at major retailers across the country including Circuit City, Best Buy, KMart, Walmart and Target. The Family Values Tour will hit the following cities (dates and venues TBA): Albuquerque, NM; Alpine Valley, WI; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Camden, NJ; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Darien, CT; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Hartford, CT; Holmdel, NJ; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Raleigh, NC; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Bernardino, CA; Saratoga, NY; St. Louis, MO; Toronto, ONT; Virginia Beach, VA; Wantagh, NY; Washington, DC; West Palm Beach, FL. For up-to-the-minute updates on this Summer's Family Values Tour, check out www.familyvalueslive.com.
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04.24.06 (RockAndMetal.com) EYES OF FIRE will embark on the "One Nation Undivided" tour with Ill Nino, God Forbid, Silent Civilian and Bleed The Sky early next month. The Jagermeister-sponsored, 28-city major market assault, which kicks off on May 10th and runs through early June, will also be the group's first major national run in support of their new album, "Prisons," which was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders (Tool, NIN) with renowned producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Isis). A video for the track 'It All Dies Today' was shot recently by acclaimed director Gary Smithson (Exodus, High On Fire). Eyes Of Fire vocalist/guitarist Dan Kaufman checks in with the following report: "Well, it looks like we got ourselves on another tour for the spring and this one is going to fucking rock. We're on the 'One Nation Undivided' tour with Ill Nino and God Forbid for about a month, and this is going to be one hell of a blast. Also coming along for the ride are some SoCal locals Silent Civilian and our brothers from some other mothers Bleed The Sky, so it is definitely safe to assume that we'll be looking for some bail money out there on the road. We'll be adding some new songs to the setlist as well as playing a couple of different sets, so come to a couple of the shows and you'll get a treat. There is no better way to kick of the fucking summer of 2006. Y'all best get your asses to the venues early because it looks like us and Bleed The Sky will be swapping opening spots, so who knows what time we might on. Feel free to just buy us booze and keep us company at the merch booth because we'll all be hanging out talking to whomever. We can't wait to see you all on tour. A big thanks to everyone who has bought the new CD and come to the shows we've done so far this year. This is becoming the year of Eyes Of Fire, and we have you all to thank." Collectively, Eyes Of Fire have matured as musicians and songwriters over the past year after adding new members Bobby Thomas (guitars), Nicky Bernardi (drums) and Pete Traux (keyboards) to the fold. The group toured relentlessly on major packages with the likes of Apocalyptica, Danzig, Trivium and Kataklysm, as well as high-profile shows with Lacuna Coil, Opeth, Strapping Young Lad and Moonspell, further helping them garner a loyal following. Prisons further develops the sound introduced on Eyes Of Fire's debut offering, "Ashes To Embers," which lashed out with a barrage of intensity, leaving the listener victim to a sonic pummeling, while still walking a fine line between melody and brutality. Confirmed Tour Dates: 05/10 New York, NY [Avalon] • 05/11 Boston, MA [Axis] • 05/12 Norfolk, VA [The NorVa] • 05/13 Atlanta, GA [The Roxy] • 05/14 Orlando, FL [House Of Blues] • 05/16 St. Petersburg, FL [State Theater] • 05/17 New Orleans, LA [House Of Blues] • 05/19 Austin, TX [The Back Room] • 05/20 Dallas, TX [Galaxy Club] • 05/21 Amarillo, TX [Southbeach] • 05/23 Tempe, AZ [Marquee Theatre] • 06/01 Chicago, IL [The Vic Theater]
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04.21.06 (RockAndMetal.com) The early Seventies was the age of the great guitar heroes: Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Toni Iommi. It was also the era of Ritchie Blackmore and his extravagant stage show and unusual style, which helped to make Deep Purple one of the most important Hard Rock acts of their generation. When Blackmore left Deep Purple in 1975, the heir to his throne was TOMMY BOLIN, a young guitarist who had the world at his feet and a promising future at the tender age of 23. However, Bolin's career was to last merely a brief seven years. When he died on December 4, 1976, he was only 25 years old. Similarly to Jimi Hendrix, Bolin's reputation has continued to grow beyond his death. At the same time, his solo albums, "Teaser" and "Private Eyes," which arrived at the stores shortly before and after Deep Purple's "Come Taste The Band" were popular as well. SPV Recordings has put together a 10-song Tommy Bolin retrospective entitled "Whips And Roses" featuring previously unreleased tracks slated for release next week on April 25th, which testify to the Bolin's amazing talent as a guitarist, vocalist and composer. All tracks on "Whips And Roses" are either alternative versions of familiar material or previously unreleased songs from studio sessions that were believed to have been lost. The title track of his solo debut, 'Teaser,' or 'Savannah Woman' and 'Dreamer' come in haunting versions on "Whips And Roses," attesting to Bolin's unbelievably light style. 'Flying Fingers' with almost 16 minutes playing time proves this guitar hero's amazing diversity. "Tommy today would be better than Jimi Hendrix, if both were still alive," claims producer Greg Hampton, who worked on Whips And Roses together with Bolin's brother Johnnie. "The way he moves almost without transition from a Latin feeling to a funky style on 'Flying Fingers,' the way he combines a powerful style with sensitivity is simply ingenious. Tommy was amazingly spontaneous, yet more proficient than any other guitarist of his age." The songs 'Cookoo' and 'Just Don't Fall Down' are previously unreleased outtakes from unknown studio recordings, while 'Wild Dogs,' also originally from "Teaser," really lives up to its title. Following a stunning show with Jeff Beck in Miami/Florida on December 3, 1976, Tommy Bolin lost consciousness at his hotel. He was already dead by the time the paramedics arrived the next morning. A drug overdose, together with alcohol, was diagnosed as the cause of death. But his short musical journey left music fans with a taste of just how great he was, and how he would have changed the course of modern music had he lived. Thirty years later his fans are still shocked by his early passing, "Whips And Roses" keeping the memory of Tommy Bolin alive. A second collection, "Whips And Roses 2," is also on track to be released by the end of the year by SPV. Producer Greg Hampton, who is already finishing "Whips And Roses 2," says: "There will be more surprises," he promises, adding: "Tommy Bolin fans had better brace themselves for a shocker." "Whips And Roses" Track Listing: 1. Teaser (4:50) • 2. Fandango (6:12) • 3. Wild Dogs (8:19) • 4. Cookoo (4:57) • 5. Savannah Woman (3:31) • 6. Marching Powder (5:55) • 7. Flyin' Fingers (15:54) • 8. Dreamer (5:20) • 9. Just Don't Fall Down (10:47) • 10. Blowin Your Cookies (12:09)
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04.21.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Tim "Ripper" Owens is among the most important Metal vocalists of the past ten years. When he succeeded Rob Halford joining Judas Priest in May of 1996, the press rubbed their eyes, surprised as well as impressed: Owens had previously been a fairly unknown quantity to international music journalists, but recorded his first Priest album, "Jugulator," with more aplomb than even insiders had expected. Following successful tours with the British Metal legends, the strong studio recording 'Demolition" (2001), and the live recordings "Meltdown - 98 Live" (1998) and "Live In London" (2003), Halford's return to the fold put an end to Owens' stint with Judas Priest. More or less immediately, he was enlisted by Jon Schaffer to team up with Iced Earth and sang on "The Glorious Burden" in 2004. Yet there was never any doubt in Owens' mind that he wanted to release an album featuring his own material as soon as possible. He is now about to carry out his ambitious plan with BEYOND FEAR, his new band, due to be released in Europe on Steamhammer/SPV on May 8th (Germany - May 5th; North America - May 9th). "I didn't feel like making a solo recording - I'd much rather perform my songs with a permanent band. That's how Beyond Fear came about." Owens composed seven of the fourteen tracks on the self-titled "Beyond Fear," the remaining seven penned together with guitarist John Comprix. "There's a whole number of tracks that I'm really proud of," comments Owens, referring to songs such as 'Save Me,' 'Coming At You' and 'My Last Words' in particular, which he wrote himself on guitar. "I may not be a wonderful guitarist," he confesses, "but I'm capable of working out my musical ideas on the guitar to such an extent that people like them."In terms of lyrics, Owens has succeeded in landing an instant classic on 'Dreams Come True,' describing himself and his life so far. 'Scream Machine,' on the other hand, is a title that continues the Judas Priest tradition of martial Metal lyrics. "It's about a metal machine, a metal monster, and shows where my influences come from. This number is in the style of albums such as 'Painkiller,' and would in my opinion also have suited 'Jugulator.' It was the last track I composed for "Beyond Fear." The track 'And...You Will Die,' according to Owens, "reflects the stylistic direction of the album more than any other song. There are high vocals, but also passages sung in deep voices, plus haunting guitars with an unmistakeable metal orientation." The debut was recorded at the legendary Morrisound studios in Tampa, Florida, under the direction of producer Jim Morris - a definite quality feature when it comes to the album's sound and dynamics, particularly as Morris understood and translated the compositional concept perfectly. "I've matured, especially in terms of my songwriting," Owens says, analyzing the past decade. "I compose songs that the fans understand and that they can shake their hair to."
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04.20.06 (RockAndMetal.com) PAUL WELLER will release a brand new live album entitled "Catch-Flame!" on July 25th in the U.S. and Canada via Yep Roc Records. The release is the first-ever full electric live album by Weller that has been made commercially available in the United States. The concert was recorded at London's Alexandra Place last December 5th during the final show of a sold-out tour in support of Weller's latest studio album, "As Is Now." "Catch-Flame!" is also the first live album to feature songs from every single part of Paul Weller's lengthy and illustrious career. Containing 23 tracks over a two-disc set, Weller and his band perform some of his best-known songs including three classics originally done by The Jam in 'A Town Called Malice,' 'That's Entertainment' and 'In The Crowd,' as well as two of The Style Council's biggest hits, 'Shout To The Top' and 'Long Hot Summer.' Paul Weller was recently awarded the coveted Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at this year's Brits (the UK version of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award) - a fitting tribute to someone whose music has helped shape the modern sound of the UK music scene since the mid 1970's. Weller will be playing a slew of UK festivals this year, and fans can also catch him at Scotland's T In The Park on July 8th and Ireland's Oxygen festival on July 9th. He also plays this year's V Festival in August at both Stafford (8/19) and Chelmsford (8/20). Details on Paul Weller returning to the U.S. will be made available once they are confirmed. "Catch-Flame" Track Listing: Disc One: 1. The Weaver • 2. Out Of The Sinking • 3. Blink & You'll Miss It • 4. Paper Smile • 5. Peacock Suit • 6. From The Floorboards Up • 7. The Changing Man • 8. Savages • 9. Going Places • 10. Up In Suzie's Room • 11. Porcelain Gods/I Walk On Gilded Splinters Disc Two: 1. In The Crowd • 2. Come On/Let's Go • 3. Foot Of The Mountain • 4. You Do Something To Me • 5. Wishing On A Star • 6. Wild Wood • 7. The Pebble And The Boy • 8. That's Entertainment • 9. Broken Stones • 10. Long Hot Summer • 11. Shout To The Top • 12. A Town Called Malice
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04.20.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Sanctuary Visual Entertainment has announced an upcoming triple-disc DVD release entitled "Bruce Dickinson Anthology," slated for release on June 20th. The most definitive BRUCE DICKINSON video collection ever, it includes over six hours of videos and live performances, and previously unreleased and archive material. Dickinson is still the proverbial human whirlwind of activity, having made his mark both as the front man of the legendary Iron Maiden and as a long-standing solo artist, with a catalog that includes six studio albums of his own plus several concert releases. In addition to his musical talents, Bruce Dickinson is also well-known as a BBC Radio DJ, TV broadcaster, airline pilot, sword-fencing expert, novelist, family man, and the quintessential voice of Heavy Metal music. "It's fantastic to share all of this collection with my fans," Dickinson says. "These DVDs contain rare material that people either won't know exists or have been unable to buy. The Samson video has changed hands for absurd amounts of money, and although we spent loads of time and had lots and lots of fun making the promos, MTV didn't show them so many of the just haven't been widely seen. It's high time they were all available together in one package." DVD Disc 1 of "Bruce Dickinson Anthology" is a live performance extravaganza boasting 30 show-stopping tracks, recorded during the 90's as Dickinson forged ahead with his solo career. Forinstance, 'Dive Dive Dive' was recorded at the Town And Country Club in Los Angeles, California on the Tattooed Millionaire Tour, on August 14th 1990 - Dickinson's first outing as a solo artist with a new band made up of Janick Gers (Guitar), Andy Carr (Bass) and Dickie Fliszar (Drums). The second live-in-concert performance offered up on Disc 1 was filmed over two sweaty back-to-back dates during the Skunkworks Tour in Pamplona and Gerona, Spain on May 31st and June 1st, 1996. Originally created for a four-track video EP release in Japan, this is the hour-long Skunkworks concert in full, released for the very first time. DVD Disc 2 features rare footage of Bruce Dickinson performing in Sao Paulo, 1999 during the Chemical Wedding World Tour. Almost two hours in length, "Scream For Me Brazil" represents Dickinson's last outing as a solo artist before rejoining the ranks of Maiden shortly afterwards. DVD Disc 3 is an extensive collection of promotional videos made during Bruce Dickinson's solo career. From his days at EMI through to his own self-produced videos of recent times, each video is accompanied by a short introduction by the singer himself, discussing the ideas, concepts and eventual filming behind each of the videos. Alongside the 14 promotional videos, Disc 3 also includes over an hour's worth of extras, including a track-by-track breakdown interview regarding the concept behind the songs on the Tyranny Of Souls album and a video for Samson's 'Biceps Of Steel,' on which Dickinson made his video debut fronting that band in a rather curious adaptation of the story of Samson And Delilah, filmed at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Filmed and directed by Julien Temple (who was more famous for the Sex Pistols movie "The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle"), this 15-minute featurette was distributed throughout cinemas as a support feature to the movie "Breaking Glass" starring Hazel O'Connor and Jonathan Pryce in 1980.
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04.19.06 (RockAndMetal.com) The following is an excerpt of a recent interview with LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington that was just sent out by the band: Q: "What is the writing process like?" A: "It's fun. We all get a chance to release and contribute creatively. Rick Rubin, the producer on our new record, has us working in a style that we've never done before, so it's different for us. We'll come up with ideas individually, then come together and work on it as a band. We decide together what direction the songs will go... but this album will be more vocally driven than any of our other ones. So usually, Mike and I write lyrics, and the rest of the guys write their parts to them. Brad is really great at structuring the songs. It's obviously a lot of work, but I love my job, so it makes working fun for us. Q: "Do you and Mike write together?" A: "We both write songs and melodies, and we both have our own personal things we write about, so some of the songs start out separately then we put them together and work on them together. But we both have songs that we've written on our own. Usually we tweak each other's stuff and go from there." Q: "Does the whole band sit down together?" A: "Every week. We're still in the early stages where we're working out our individual parts first. Each of the guys write their own part for their own instrument. But we have a band meeting every week, and we partner up on a lot of what we're doing. We get together at the studio every week and listen to each other's stuff. Then we all get to decide what to keep, what to change and help each other with what we've been working on." Q "And the rest work on the production?" A: "Everyone does the production. But if you're asking me if everyone works on their own parts, yes they do. But we all help each other out when we need it. We're a band, so nothing is solo. Q: "Is your writing a reflection of where you are in life?" A: "A lot has changed for me since 'Meteora.' I married Talinda, and have 3 sons, so I guess as I'm growing up and getting older, so is the music. You can't repeat the same things in life and not learn. The same goes for music with me." Q: "Will the lyrical content be similar to any of your previous work, or can we expect something totally new?" Q: "Both. We're still Linkin Park, and you'll hear that. But we have a lot of material that is totally new, and nothing you've heard from us before. Rick Rubin is producing the record, and he's done so many different types of albums. We wanted something new, but still with our vibe." Q: Are you also a writer in the traditional sense of the word i.e. short stories, fiction, etc.? A: "Yes. I love to write stories and poems. I did an interview for a book recently, and it ended up to be a story of my childhood and how I was influenced to play music. It ended up to be about 6 pages." Q: "Do you find your writing as a form of release or pseudo-therapy?" A: "Yeah. It gives me a chance to express myself creatively and to get my feelings out. Some people work out, some people paint, I write and sing. It lets me release my aggression and share my thoughts with fans and friends."

04.19.06 (RockAndMetal.com) MetalAsylum.net recently conducted an interview with BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kursch. A couple of excerpts follow: Q: "Is the direction of the new album as orchestrated and layered with vocal harmonies as 'Night At The Opera,' or does it have more in common with 'Imaginations From The Other Side' or even 'Somewhere Far Beyond'? Hansi: "Well, the working title of the album is 'Twist of the Mist'. We have about five weeks of mixing coming up so during that time is when we will decide on the album's title. Would I confuse you if I said we are consequently going in the direction of 'Opera' but with less orchestration? [Laughs] You can definitely hear the roots of the band on it, especially if you have the single for 'Fly' and on the song 'Skalds and Shadows', but there is a new direction as well. I think we have included the qualities of every album so far. Of course, our target lies in the future, so it's not exactly to be compared with any of the albums we have done before. All the 12 songs differ drastically and go in different directions. There is a traditional section, a more modern section and a more orchestrated section. I am very convinced that this was the right step to do because every song contains great melodies. The album has a focus on melodies but not so as many layers like we did with 'A Night At The Opera'. There are tons of guitar melodies and we tried to focus on the lead vocals more this time than on 'Opera' and we removed a lot of those backing vocal layers. 'Opera' was a very busy album, this time the attitude is still the same but based on a very strong melody line either played by Andre's guitar leads or my vocals. I think you can feel that in 'Fly' already, and that is a great example of the new album." Q: "It has been understood that your original drummer Thomen left the band and started Savage Circus because he was more interested in making music in the style of earlier Blind Guardian. Is that because Blind Guardian is phasing out that part of the band's history in the future?" A: "Well, he really liked that stuff, as we all do, but it was more of both a mixture of artist and business matters. We all had a discussion and decided it was the best thing to do for everyone. It depends how you look at it addressing your question. If you look at 'A Night At The Opera' and find that a complete change for you then we have in a sense moved away from that part of the band's past but without really thinking about it. I think 'A Night At The Opera' is a consequence and development of what we have done before, but that does not mean we have denied our roots or do not want to do that music anymore, it's just not the time for that right now. That was the '80s and early '90s, and we need to come up with something new to develop. We are a progressive band, and therefore it is important for us to have something different between all the albums. There was never any discussion with or without Thomen as to whether we were going to do another 'Imaginations From The Other Side' or 'Somewhere Far Beyond.' As I said, it's nothing we would deny, and, of course, you can still feel those Celtic elements in the single 'Fly' or 'Skalds And Shadows.' We just write the songs we are comfortable with."
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04.18.06 (RockAndMetal.com) The VANS WARPED TOUR has once again tapped some of Punk and Rock's most promising bands to create a one-of-a-kind musical event this Summer. Beginning on June 15th and running through August 13th, the 2006 Warped Tour will feature five bands currently recording for Epitaph Records. Performing on the main stage for the first time this Summer, From First To Last are defying convention and redefining Rock. Out in support of their new release, "Heroine," the band are currently kicking it night after night on the Fall Out Boy tour. Also spending the Summer on the main stage is Motion City Soundtrack, whose synth-pop stands out on their latest disc, "Commit This To Memory." Warped Tour vets the BOUNCING SOULS will also be shredding the Warped Tour main stage with their own raucous brand of East Coast Punk in support of the upcoming "The Gold Record," which drops June 6th. Epitaph artists I Am Ghost and Escape The Fate are also set to debut at Warped this year. Confirmed Tour Dates: 06/15 Columbia, MD [Merriweather Post Pavillion] • 06/16 Columbus, OH [Germain Amphitheatre] • 06/17 Milwaukee, WI [Marcus Amphitheatre] • 06/18 Minneapolis, MN [Metrodome] • 06/19 Kansas City, MO [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot] • 06/21 Miami, FL [Bicentennial Park] • 06/22 Jacksonville, FL [Jacksonville Fairgrounds] • 06/23 St. Petersburg, FL [Vinoy Park] • 06/25 Orlando, FL [Tinker Field] • 06/26 Fairground Ladson, SC [Exchange Park] • 06/27 Raleigh, NC [Alltell Pavilion] • 06/28 Atlanta, GA [Hi-Fi Amphitheater Lot] • 06/30 Houston, TX [Reliant Center] • 07/01 Dallas, TX [Smirnoff Music Center Lot] • 07/02 San Antonio, TX [Verizon Amphitheatre Lot] • 07/03 Las Cruces, NM [NMSU Practice Field] • 07/04 Cricket Pavillion [Phoenix, AZ] • 07/06 San Diego, CA [Coors Amphitheatre ] • 07/07 Pomona, CA [Fairplex Park] • 07/08 San Francisco, CA [Pier 30/32] • 07/09 Fresno, CA [Seland Arena] • 07/11 Ventura, CA [Seaside Park] • 07/12 Los Angeles, CA [Dodger Stadium Lot] • 07/13 Sacramento, CA [Sleep Train Amphitheatre Lot] • 07/14 Boise, ID [Treasure Valley Speedway] • 07/15 Quincy, WA [Gorge Amphitheatre] • 07/22 Salt Lake City, UT [Utah State Fairgrounds] • 07/23 Denver, CO [Invesco Field] • 07/25 St. Louis, MO [UMB Bank Pavilion] • 07/26 Cincinnatii, OH [Riverbend Music Center] • 07/27 Pittsburgh, PA [Post Gazette Pavilion] • 07/28 Indianapolis, IN [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot] • 07/29 Detroit, MI [Co-America Park and Street] • 07/30 Chicago, IL [Tweeter Center] • 08/01 Darien Center, NY [Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center] • 08/02 Fitchburg, MA [Fitchburg Airport] • 08/03 Camden, NJ [Tweeter Center] • 08/04 Scranton, PA [Montage Mountain] • 08/05 Uniondale, NY [Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum] • 08/06 Old Bridge, NJ [Englishtown Raceway] • 08/08 Charlotte, NC [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot] • 08/09 Virginia Beach, VA [Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Lot] • 08/10 Bristow, VA [Nissan Pavilion Lot] • 08/11 Cleveland, OH [Tower City Amphitheatre]

04.18.06 (RockAndMetal.com) MOONSPELL have just released their latest album, "Memorial," which marks the return of the band to Germany's Woodhouse Studios, where they worked again with long-time producer Waldemar Sorychta (Wolfheart, Irreligious, Sin) after two years of intense touring in support of "The Antidote" (2003). "Memorial" is and album which not only shows that the eternal spark of the band's creativity is at a peak, but one which also recreates traditions and influences helped the band to conquer their rightful place at the top of the Gothic Metal scene in the Nineties. The most famous and successful Portuguese band ever present a work where power and soul flow together in a heavy, dark and atmospheric album on "Memorial," something rarely heard on today's Gothic Metal scene. Moonspell have at times been referred to as one of the most important bands in contemporary Metal. Since their early days with mini-album "Under The Moonspell" (1994) and their potent debut, "Wolfheart" (1995), their path has been marked by a restless imagination and willpower, allowing them to charter into further musical territories, taking a goodpart of the Gothic Metal genre to sonic and visual dimensions never traveled before. They further pioneered the genre themselves with the classic "Irreligious (1996)," an album that brought them out in the open on a historical tour supporting Type O Negative. After 1998's "Sin/Pecado," Moonspell have pursued even further musical contexts to an ever-growing loyal following throughout the world. Over the years, they've made appearances at all the major Metal and Gothic festivals (Dynamo, WFF, Roskilde, etc.); have headlined and supported on tours throughout Europe, the United States and Latin America (with Type O Negative, Cradle Of Filth, Kreator, Opeth, Samael, etc.); have collaborated with Portugual's most important Ballet company, Ballet Gulbenkian; and their participation on the soundtrack to "I Will See You In My Dreams -- the first Portuguese horror movie ever awarded with a Melies d'Or award and a winner at several other film festivals -- just makes Moonspell's list of accomplishments that much more impressive.
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04.17.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Swedish Rockers THE QUILL have released their fifth album, "In Triumph," via SPV/Steamhammer Records. For the album, their third for the label, the band chose to record at Area 51 Studios in Celle, Germany using the skills of acclaimed producer Tommy Newton (UFO, Helloween, Victory, etc.). Sound-wise, the intention was to go for clarity and a "less is more" approach. With the music, The Quill wanted to write straight-forward songs. That sometimes meant using ideas that previously might have been thrown away, deemed too "obvious" to the band. And the result is a relevantly rewarding revelation. "In Triumph" charges out of the speakers and rocks with new-found conviction. After a psychedelic build-up, opener 'Keep The Circle Whole' challenges the like of Audioslave for groove power, and a song like 'Trespass' just might be the most ass-kicking tune The Quill have recorded so far. Not sacrificing its grandeur, the band excel on 'Black,' an Eastern-flavored epic that brings both Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple to mind. It's one of the highlights of an album that's bound to expand the "classic songs by The Quill" catalog. Based out of the coastal town of Monsteras, The Quill formed out of the ashes of the band Quil, led by vocalist Magnus Ekwall, guitarist Christian Carlsson and drummer Jolle Atlagic, along with original keyboardist Anders Haglund and bassist Peter Holm in the beginning of the '90s. After writing material for half a year, the band entered Berno Studios in Malmo, Sweden, where they would record their first album in three weeks. After signing a recording deal with Megarock Records, The Quill's debut album was issued in Europe in March of 1995. However, their second album didn't see the light of day unti nearly four years later, mainly due to ongoing troubles with their record company. After a short promotion tour in Sweden with Abstrakt Algebra, The Quill played the Karlshamn Rockfestival with bands like Black Sabbath and Fleetwood Mac, while the Summer of 1999 saw The Quill promoting their sophomore release playing a number of festivals in both Sweden and Denmark - the highlight being a gig at Sweden Rock Festival where they would perform alongside monster outfits including Deep Purple, Motorhead, Captain Beyond and Dio. That Summer also saw the release of a 10" EP entitled "Evermore," which was released on Froghouse Records. The Quill also record their own cover versions of Iron Maiden's 'Where Eagles Dare,' Captain Beyond's 'Frozen Over' and November's 'Mount Everest' that year. Aside from current bassist Robert Triches, The Quill still retain three original band members in Ekwall, Carlsson and Atlagic.
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04.14.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Drive-Thru Records recording artists THE EARLY NOVEMBER will release a triple-disc entitled "The Mechanic, The Mother, And The Path" on July 11th. This beautifully orchestrated release is the carefully thought out endeavor of THE EARLY NOVEMBER frontman Ace Enders and band mates Jeff Kummer (drums), Sergio Anello (bass), Joe Marro (guitar), and Bill Lugg (guitar). Produced by Chris Badami (The Starting Line, Midtown), the albums were recorded in the band's home state of New Jersey. The Mechanic disc highlights the group's heavier rock sound while The Mother leans towards the acoustic, mellower side. The Path is a soundtrack complete with dialogue and characters both of which intermingle amongst the first two CDs, thus tying the three discs together. The story arc involves a young man who clashes with his over bearing father. The teenage character leaves his family with the girl he loves, setting out to forge a new path, one that avoids the trappings that ensnared his conventional parents. Upon having his own child, he swears he won't make the same mistakes his father did. The cycle of life brings him full circle as his own son begins to rebel against him, and he finds himself slowly becoming like his father, a fate he tried so hard to escape. The triple-decker is a follow-up to 2003's critically acclaimed album, The Room's Too Cold. Other landmark releases from THE EARLY NOVEMBER include the plugged-in and acoustic versions of the EP "For All Of This." Combined, the three albums have sold over 300,000 copies. THE EARLY NOVEMBER is currently on the Take Action Tour, which raises awareness and funds for youth suicide prevention. In May, the group will shoot a video for the track 'Hair,' and then spend the late summer on the Warped Tour. "The Mechanic, The Mother, and The Path" Track Listing: The Mechanic: 1. Money In His Hand • 2. The Rest Of My Life • 3. Decoration • 4. No Good At Saying Sorry (One More Chance) • 5. This Wasn't In Our Plan • 6. The One That You Hated • 7. Long Talks • 8. Outside • 9. Make A Decision • 10. The Car In 20 • 11. Figure It Out The Mother: 1. My Lack Of Skill • 2. A Little More Time • 3. Little Black Heart • 4. Hair • 5. Driving South • 6. Scared To Lose • 7. From Here To LA • 8. Is It My Fault • 9. I Don't Know How To Say This • 10. The Truth Is • 11. 1000 Times A Day The Path: 1. Intro • 2. We Grew Up The Same • 3. Runaway • 4. Session 01 • 5. This Is Love • 6. Session 02 • 7. We're Finding Something Out • 8. Session 03 • 9. Decoration • 10. Session 04 • 11. Uncle • 12. Session 05 • 13. Never Coming Back • 14. Guess What • 15. Session 06 • 16. You Don't Know What It's Like • 17. Session 07 • 18. Look At Me • 19. Session 08 • 20. Session 08 Part 2 • 21. Runaway 02 • 22. Session 09 • 23. I Think This Is Love • 24. The End Of Feeling
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04.13.06 (RockAndMetal.com) On July 26th, the seminal NEW YORK DOLLS -- a band that has been accused of inspiring everything from punk rock to hair metal -- will release their eagerly anticipated album, One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This, through Roadrunner. In 2004, former New York Dolls fan club president, Morrissey made the request that reunited his boyhood idols for the Meltdown Festival, which he was curating at the Royal Festival Hall in London. "Basically we got together to do a one-off show and have a coupla laughs," says singer David Johansen. That quickly turned into two shows, and was so well received, that offers started coming in from festivals...Reading, Leeds, and many more, including a bunch co-headlining with fans the White Stripes. Reported the L.A. Times, "Onstage, the Dolls proved worthy of the legendary status that has been built over the years, and then some." "We were having so much fun, we decided to continue past the summer, and naturally, started writing some new songs. Besides Syl and myself, [the band is] guitarist Steve Conte, bass player Sami Yaffa, keyboard player Brian 'the Professor' Koonin, and drummer Brian Delaney, who we insist on calling 'Delancey.' Everyone in the band contributes material," adds Johansen. The new album features 13 new tracks, including the first single "Dance Like a Monkey," "Take a Good Look at My Good Looks," "Maimed Happiness," and "Runnin Around," and was produced by Jack Douglas, who made his bones engineering the first eponymously titled New York Dolls record, and has since produced everyone from Aerosmith to Cheap Trick to John Lennon and Yoko Ono. "Jack's always been good to us, so we thought we'd throw him a bone," says the band. One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This includes guest appearances by Michael Stipe on "Dancing on the Lip of A Volcano," Iggy Pop on "Gimme Love and Turn On the Light," Tom Gabel (Against Me!) on "Punishing World," and the Dolls' own hero, Bo Diddley, on "Seventeen." "There's so much negative bullshit being forced down people's throats in the marketplace, we really wanted to create a thing of beauty that will stand the test of time, and hopefully add something positive to people's lives," says Johansen. "I don't care if this record is a hit," Sylvain Sylvain declares, "Just as long as every man, woman, and child buys it." Producer Douglas adds, "This is the band that gave the world 'Personality Crisis,' 'Jet Boy,' 'Looking for a Kiss,' 'Puss 'n' Boots,' and 'Trash.' Maybe we can't forgive them for that, but they swing harder than anyone around, and this album is a fuckin' masterpiece." The Dolls are planning a world tour in support of the new release, starting Summer 2006. "Playing music is the best thing in the world," says Johansen. "It makes show business almost bearable."

04.12.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Two of Pop/Rock's darlings -- MATTHEW SWEET and SUSANNA HOFFS of THE BANGLES -- have joined voices in celebration of one of the most important eras in Pop/Rock music. Featuring 15 of the duo's favorite tunes from the 1960s, "Under The Covers Vol. 1" combines popular hits and obscure gems from such important names in music as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The Who, Neil Young And Crazy Horse, The Zombies, The Mamas And The Papas, The Left Banke, The Bee Gees, The Marmalade, Fairport Convention, Love, The Stone Poneys, and The Velvet Underground. Sweet and Hoffs, each with a stunning and highly distinguishable voice of their own, mingle melodies and tones for new, unique harmonies that truly reflect the sounds of the time. Shout! Factory will release Under The Covers Vol. 1 on April 18th for the suggested retail price of $15.98. Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs have always been fans of each other's work, performing guest vocals at each others concerts aÊfew times throughout the years, and collaborating with comedian Mike Myers as members of Austin Powers' on-screen band Ming Tea in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Austin Powers in Goldmember. Now Sweet and Hoffs explore a classic era of pop music together for the first time, on Under The Covers. The down to earth feel of the record reflects the ease of the sessions; recorded entirely at Sweet's home facility, Lolina Green, the work was a true labor of love, done, as they both put it, "purely for the fun of it!" The newly formed duo wanted to start with a few of their favorite, though lesser known tracks: "She May Call You Up Tonight" by Ô60s baroque rock band The Left Banke, "The Warmth Of The Sun" by The Beach Boys, and the melancholy ballad "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" by British folk-rock group Fairport Convention, among others. They also threw in a few more well-known songs from the era; Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," Pete Townsend's "The Kids Are Alright," and John Phillips' "Monday, Monday" were on the short list. Sweet and Hoffs, both Lou Reed fans, also added "Sunday Morning" from The Velvet Underground & Nico. Of course no '60 music collection would be complete without a selection from The Beatles, so the Sweet/Hoffs consensus was "And Your Bird Can Sing" from Revolver. And, one exception to the rule requires mentioning; the Bee Gee's "Run To Me," actually came out in 1971. A '60s pop primer of sorts, Under The Covers Vol. 1's 15 songs span a wide range of genres -- from rock to folk to pop -- but all have that unmistakable '60s vibe. It's obvious that Sweet and Hoffs have put their own stamp on these covers, individually and collectively, but have done so with a sense of respect and admiration for the original versions and composers. On Under The Covers Vol. 1 Sweet and Hoffs pay homage to arguably the most important decade in pop music by inserting their own musical personalities and unique harmonies for a fresh and new sound.
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04.11.06 (RockAndMetal.com) PANTERA's late guitarist Dimebag Darrell, drummer Vinnie Paul and bassist Rex Brown are teamed up with iconic redneck iconoclast David Allan Coe -- best known to Pantera audiences for the 'Jack Daniels If You Please' warm-up music -- for a seamless sonic thrust that packs a blindsided-rusty-nail-two-by-four kind of wallop on the upcoming REBEL MEETS REBEL album, due for release on May 2nd. Captured in stray moments over the course of four years, the Rebel Meets Rebel project tears into musical pockets with the power-teeth of a chain saw - shredding, pumping, thumping, wheeling, and at times even finding a way to whiplash melodic cyclones to Vinnie Paul's always-propulsive backbeats. The CD and artwork were completed and stored for safekeeping. Dimebag joked to Vinnie he wanted the sessions to be released on CD "before the old man (Coe) kicks the bucket..." Instead fate stepped in with the untimely death of Dimebag himself. Two years and a few unfathomable pages in the history books later, a work of music that is the culmination of the groundbreaking guitarist's vision and also the fruit of his brother's business acumen will be unleashed on his own Big Vin Records. "Dimevision, Volume 1," a DVD culled from footage Dimebag had shot with a camcorder over several years on the road and at home, will also hit stores May 2nd. Sometimes the most unlikely meetings present the most intense possibilities. And sometimes nothing's more engaging than extreme opposites, with only their excellence and commitment to what they do as individuals, creating a whole new realm of reason. Pummeling. Undulating. Propulsive. There is something about forces of nature merging that is as relentless as it is powerful. And so it was that Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, along with Pantera bassist Rex Brown, calling themselves the "Cowboys From Hell" joined forces with hardcore Country iconoclast David Allen Coe for what would come to be known as Rebel Meets Rebel. Captured at odd and off periods in each entity's recording and touring schedule beginning four years ago, this wild child hybrid is a labor of love, passion and shared good times. With thrashing down strokes, intricate solos and Coe's far-flung vocal attack, this is a seamless musical synthesis that exists beyond the realm of any genre, format or label. That's what makes this one of the most exciting projects to come down the pike in a long, long time. "Dime and I had been talking about this in interviews practically since we started making music with David," says Paul in his easy-going, aw-Hell humility. "People were wondering when or if they'd get to hear it. We wanted to make sure we got Damageplan established. We always knew this music was special, it was just a matter of the right time to put it out." Hard to believe something that could hit with the force of Rebel Meets Rebel came about in such an off-handed way. Certainly Pantera fans were more than familiar with Coe's hard-drinking anthem, 'Jack Daniels If You Please,' from the no-nonsense band's warm-up music. But it wasn't until Dimebag decided to take in a Coe show at Fort Worth's legendary honky tonk, Billy Bob's, that the seeds were sown. "Once I saw the videos, I couldn't believe this guy actually stood in the autograph line after the show with all the fans," Coe acknowledged of their first meeting. "I mean, he could've identified himself to someone, told them who he was and been brought right backstage, but that wasn't who he was... and I liked that immediately." A few weeks later, Coe was scheduled to be in Dallas and... [full story]
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04.10.06 (RockAndMetal.com) Madchester scene veterans THE CHARLATANS will release a new album entitled "Simpatico" on May 2nd via Sanctuary Records. On the album, two seconds into 'Blackened Blue Eyes,' when Mark Collins' guitar punctuates the super groove of Tony Roger's piano, one thing is clear - The Charlatans are a vital force. Then Tim Burgess' vocals come in with a melody so beguiling it almost disguises the disturbing intensity at the heart of the song. "Simpatico" finds the band fresh as ever and ready to take on the world again. Simply put, it's an album that sees every member of The Charlatans step up to the plate and give it their all. Formed in 1989, the band put their first single 'Indian Rope' out on their own label, Dead Dead Good Records, and sold 20,000 copies. They were snapped up by Beggars Banquet, and achieved their first UK Top Ten single with 'The Only One I Know,' a perennial Nineties' favorite that defined the Madchester scene. The Charlatans U.K sported insouciance and looks to spare, but with talent to match - their debut album "Some Friendly" charted at UK Number One. It was 1992 when disaster struck, as keyboard player Rob Collins was unwittingly involved in an armed robbery and was sent to prison for eight months. The band, however, bounced back with "Up To Our Hips," a record that saw them get some of the most extraordinary critical applause in the band's career. Events took a sadder turn in July of 1996 when keyboardist Rob Collins was killed in a car accident during recording sessions for the "Tellin' Stories" album. The stricken band decided to continue. A month later, 'One To Another' was their biggest hit to date. Duffy of Primal Scream stepped in to help finish the album. Tony Rogers was later recruited as The Charlatans' full-time keyboard player. Since then, The Charlatans (a.k.a. "The Charlatans U.K") have released a series of successful albums. Their most recent, "Up At The Lake," came in 2004 when it was becoming obvious that the band's restless collective imagination was signaling a change in direction for their future records. They approached working on their new album with all the band members bringing new ideas to the studio. Says Tim Burgess: "We still fight... we had quite a lot of songs that we had to get down to 12, and that's quite a lot of fights y'know? Because everyone's put so much work into it. You want them all to come out." To ensure they took advantage of this new start, all their old ways were abandoned. They rejected working in their own Big Mushroom Studio and brought in a new producer, Jim Lowe, who had produced the last two Stereophonics releases. Says Martin Blunt: "Not doing it at Mushroom again and taking the recording out of the band's comfort zone took the album somewhere else, and the different environment ensured there no distractions. Jim Lowe impressed us... he was a fan of the band and we thought, 'great, we'll try him out.' Sometimes you can get too precious, but with this it was different." The band ended up in Reading's Hook End Studios with just four weeks of time and money to complete the album, ready to give it a raw edge. The classic Rock influences are still there - The Charlatans had pictures of Gram Parsons and Joe Strummer looking over them as they recorded at breakneck speed. Says Burgess: "Basically, we wanted to record the album quite quickly and get freshness about it. I think everyone dived straight in and it was all guns blazing. Everyone knew we had to do it in three to four weeks. We spent all our money and just did it." "Simpatico" is a triumphant return for The Charlatans - an album that stands comparison with their finest work.
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[Rock News: March 2006]
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