The Mars Volta keyboardist Jeremy Michael Ward, also a member of Defacto, has died from an apparent drug overdose, according to Defacto’s record company Gold Standard Labs (GSL). The 27-year-old Ward had served as “sound manipulator” for the Mars Volta – also comprised of former At The Drive-In members Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez – on its recordings and live shows. “The members, family, and friends of the Mars Volta were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of band member Jeremy Ward,” reads a statement from the band on GSL’s official Web site (http://www.goldstandardlabs.com). “Ward was found dead… Read more »
Since things went so well during the weekend reunion of the Grateful Dead’s surviving members, the band has decided to go ahead with a fall tour. “All I can say is that the fall tour was set and approved contingent on a good weekend and since it was a far better than good weekend I am certainly confident the shows will go,” said Dennis McNally, the band’s publicist and biographer. McNally said Monday he didn’t know when tickets would go on sale for the 15-show tour of the Midwest and East Coast in November and December. Thousands of Deadheads converged… Read more »
Country music songwriter Harlan Howard, who co-wrote the Patsy Cline classic “I Fall to Pieces,” died on Sunday at age 74, according to industry publicist Tina Wright. He had been in ill health for several years. Howard, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, had more than 100 “Top Ten” hits during his career, which was kicked off in 1958 with “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down.” His works were recorded not only by such country greats as George Jones, Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, Ray Price and Conway Twitty but also by more mainstream music stars such… Read more »
Stuart Adamson, lead singer and guitarist of ’80s pop band Big Country, was found dead in a Hawaii hotel room Sunday, according to the band’s manager, Ian Grant. A Honolulu hotel employee discovered Adamson’s body at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time, according to the police report. On Monday (December 17), the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be asphyxiation due to hanging. Adamson, 43, inexplicably left his Nashville home November 7, and missing persons reports were filed there and in Atlanta, where he watched a soccer match on November 15, according to reports posted on the Web site… Read more »
Joey Ramone, lead singer of legendary punk band the Ramones, passed away at 2:40 p.m. Sunday at the age of 49. The towering front man, born Jeffrey Hyman, did not respond to treatment for lymphatic cancer, a disease that attacks the body’s ability to fight infection. Along with his cohorts Johnny, Tommy and Dee Dee – all of whom adopted Ramone as a surname – Joey was credited with helping found the modern punk movement. In mixing the griminess of the New York streets with a love of bubblegum pop, ’60s girl groups and the Stooges, the Ramones inspired everyone… Read more »
Coffin Crew the latest devotion ceremony is officially in session as The Funeral Portrait taps The Used’s frontman, Bert McCracken, on their brand-new release, “You’re So Ugly When You Cry.” The hymn is a sultry display of devotion that draws from the band and McCracken’s shared flair for the dramatics. Cue a signature maniacal laugh courtesy of McCracken. Of the theme of “You’re So Ugly When You Cry,” frontman Lee Jennings explains, “It’s not about healing or the come-up later on, it’s about telling people ‘it sucks right now, I don’t like who I am when I’m like this, and… Read more »
Over the past three decades, blink-182 has carved an everlasting niche in the hearts of their fans through their extensive discography, electrifying live performances, and their unapologetic live-while-you’re-young attitude. As an inseparable part of the pop-punk/punk-rock community, the trio has left an indelible mark through their music and antics. While the unmistakable sound of blink-182 is deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness, numerous artists and bands have dared to take on the challenge of covering their iconic tracks. With each cover, they breathe new life into the songs, traversing genres and showcasing their own creative flair. From the punk princess… Read more »
Columbus’ Sonic Temple Festival is gearing up for its 2025 event, which is taking place on May 8-11 at the Historic Crew Stadium. And this fest has a killer lineup, of course. Headliners for the four-day fest include Korn (Thursday), Metallica (Friday & Sunday), and Linkin Park (Saturday). And there are many reasons to celebrate rock and metal in 2025. Three Days Grace will perform with OG vocalist Adam Gontier, GWAR will officially turn 40 years old, Trivium will play a 20-year anniversary set of Ascendancy, and much more. In fact, Gontier shares, “I couldn’t be more excited to not only… Read more »
My Chemical Romance delivered a monumental performance at this year’s When We Were Young Fest in Las Vegas, playing their magnum opus record, The Black Parade, in full for the first time since 2007. The band brought their iconic third album back to life. Their performance was complete with all the fan-favorite tracks such as “Famous Last Words,” “Teenagers,” and “Welcome To The Black Parade.” Additionally, their setlist included deep cuts from the album that rarely see the stage. From the opening piano notes of “The End.” (performed for the first time since 2007) to the resounding G-note that rang… Read more »
Cobra Starship took to the When We Were Young 2024 Purple Stage at 3:30 PM to play their beloved LP ¡Viva la Cobra! in its entirety. The 2007 Patrick Stump-produced record includes hits such as “Guilty Pleasure” and “Kiss My Sass.” During their set, the band decked out the stage to look like the inside of an airplane, dressed as pilots and stewardesses before throwing on their iconic purple hoodies. As their set progressed, the group welcomed Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy to the stage to perform “Kiss My Sass.” Watch their performance captured by Gunz of The Gunz… Read more »
