Monthly Archives: February 2012
Fair Warning – Best and More
Fair Warning are a band that have managed to keep below my music radar and this is quite surprising. Having listened to this “Best of ” compilation a number of times the surprise seems to grow. Having been a fan of big, anthemic rock for as long as I can remember, I would put Fair Warning up amongst the cream of the European bands from the late 80s/early 90s (think Europe, Stage Dolls and Bonfire). Having resurrected themselves 6 years ago following a five year break, Fair Warning have released two albums and a live album (to capitalise on their sold out tour of Japan in 2010) in that time and now follow this with a “Best Of” compilation on Steamhammer/SPV in March.. The German four piece cover all of the bases that appeal to children of 80s rock . (Yes, you! You know who you are.) Anthems, ballads, driving rockers and generally the whole 9 yards. Lots of guitars but nothing too over the top.
Kid Rock to Perform with Detroit Symphony Orchestra for Benefit
Kid Rock is out to save Detroit, one rockin’ concert at a time. The Detroit native has announced he will perform with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at a special benefit show at the Fox Theatre in on May 12 to help raise money and support for the symphony, according to the Detroit Free Press. The orchestra is commissioning arrangements for the concert from Rob Mathes, who has also orchestrated arrangements for Mary J. Blige and Sting, so as odd a Kid Rock performing with the symphony may sound, it will probably turn out killer.
Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl Having Vocal Problems
Foo Fighters hold fans all over the world, which is why they can often be found traveling the globe, taking their dynamic grunge rock to the masses. Fans in Singapore, though, are in for a bit of a disappointment.
The Foos have canceled their March 2 gig in Singapore, due to frontman Dave Grohl‘s vocal problems. “We deeply regret having to cancel,” the band said in an official statement.
Saliva, Puddle of Mudd, Wayne Static and More to Play Rockapalooza
Rockapalooza has unveiled its 2012 lineup, and the annual concert offers over 40 bands all rocking one big night in Jackson, Mich., this June.
Post-grunge band Puddle of Mudd will headline the show, with other main stage players including Saliva, We Came As Romans, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Rehab and Emphatic. Wayne Static (of Static-X), Woe Is Me, Riven (Formerly Motograter), Rotation, Sore Eyes and Ghosts of August will rock the second stage. Other bands slated to perform include Bobaflex, It Lies Within, Blackened Earth, Hollow Drive, Circus Asylum, Beyond the Shadows and more.
SVEN GALI Guitarist Remembered By Canadian Record Executive
Dee Cernile, guitarist for the ’90s Canadian hard rock band SVEN GALI, died this past Saturday, February 25 after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was 46 years old.
SUFFOCATION Confirms Split With Drummer MIKE SMITH, Taps DAVE CULROSS As Permanent Replacement
New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION recently answered several questions about their split with drummer Mike Smith during an e-mail interview with Russia’s HitKiller.com. Several excerpts from the question-and-answer session in their original English-language form can be found below.
MEGADETH: New Video Interview With CHRIS BRODERICK
Bay Area Backstage conducted an interview with MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick on February 23 at the Gigantour stop at the Event Center at San Jose State University. You can now watch the chat below.
HALESTORM Performs Acoustic Version Of ‘Love Bites’ For Kerrang! Radio (Video)
Video footage of the Atlantic recording group HALESTORM performing an acoustic version of their new single, “Love Bites (So Do I)”, at the studios of Kerrang! Radio can be seen below. The song comes off the band’s new album. “The Strange Case Of…”, which arrives in stores and at all DSPs on April 10.
SHINEDOWN: Video Interview With BRENT SMITH
Kerrang! Radio’s Danielle Perry recently conducted an interview with SHINEDOWN vocalist Brent Smith. You can now watch the chat below.
It’s a month to go before SHINEDOWN releases its fourth studio album, “Amaryllis”, but the band is giving fans a taste of what to expect. The quartet has posted samples of several tunes from the disc at its official web site, including the title track, “Adrenaline”, “Unity”, “Through the Ghost”, “Nowhere Kids” and more.
SHADOWS FALL, HELLYEAH, COAL CHAMBER, STEEL PANTHER Members Interviewed At Sydney SOUNDWAVE
Heavy music presenter Christina Rowatt of Soundwave TV conducted interviews with members of SHADOWS FALL, HELLYEAH, STEEL PANTHER, COAL CHAMBER and KILL HANNAH when the bands performed yesterday (Sunday, February 26) at Olympic Park in Sydney, Australia during this year’s Soundwave Festival. You can now watch the footage below.
