After the Ramones said “Adios amigos” for the final time in 1996, singer Joey Ramone wasted no time in starting the recording of what would unfortunately turn out to be his posthumous solo album, Don’t Worry About Me, due out February 18th on Sanctuary Records. Ramone died April 15th of lymphatic cancer. “We started right after the Ramones’ last show,” says producer Daniel Rey, who has also worked with the Ramones themselves and White Zombie. “We cut the music pretty quickly, and then Joey just took his time on the vocals. We recorded a couple songs at a time. We… Read more »
PressPlay, an online music venture between Universal Music and Sony Music, said on Thursday it signed licensing deals with six independent record labels that offer music by a wide variety of acts, from rappers 2 Live Crew to country singer Kenny Rogers to jazz legends Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. PressPlay, set to launch its service to subscribers this fall, noted that its latest deals with Madacy, Navarre, OWIE, Razor & Tie, Roadrunner and Rounder will add music from hundreds of artists to its already large catalog of music for streaming and downloading. The company said the six labels were… Read more »
Metallica are keeping busy while they wait for guitarist James Hetfield to rejoin the fray following treatment for substance-abuse problems. When Hetfield entered rehab on July 19, the band announced it had “postponed all current activities, including recording sessions for our new album”. On Friday, however, guitarist Kirk Hammett and drummer Lars Ulrich invited Ja Rule into the studio to record a rap for a new track. “I spin two 12-bar verses with Metallica on their new big, huge record they got that’s crazy,” Ja Rule said. The mostly instrumental number may end up on a DreamWorks Records compilation, Ja… Read more »
Trek’s organizers say band pulled out; group’s spokesperson says contract was never signed. Say it ain’t so – Weezer have dropped off the Vans Warped Tour, according to a spokesperson for the summer skate-punk trek. The band’s Geffen publicist, however, said on Friday (April 6) that Weezer were never officially on the bill in the first place, despite an announcement by tour organizer Kevin Lyman Productions in early February. “They had the offer, but they never confirmed it,” Dennis Dennehy said. “The band apologizes for psyching anyone up inadvertently,” a posting on Weezer’s Web site said Friday. An earlier post… Read more »
Rancid, Weezer, 311, Kool Keith, Pennywise, Rollins Band, and the Misfits are some of the bigger artists confirmed to play the annual Vans Warped Tour, set to kick off June 22 in Phoenix. An official announcement of participating venues and additional acts for the nearly two-month tour is expected within two weeks. Making its Warped Tour debut this year will be Incredibly Strange Wrestling, a hybrid of punk rock and hardcore wrestling. ISW appeared on the San Francisco scene in the mid-’90s, and features such wrestlers as El Pollo Diablo, Macho Sasquatcho, Chupa Suave, and El Homo Loco. Young punks… Read more »
L.S. Dunes has shared their new song “Paper Tigers” from their forthcoming album, Violet. The rock track is preceded by singles “Machines” and “Fatal Deluxe.” Additionally, the group’s Will Yip-produced record will feature 10 tracks and arrives on January 31 via Fantasy Records. Secure your pre-orders here. Guitarist Frank Iero, who is also well-known for his work in My Chemical Romance, notes, “I think when I initially started writing the chord progression for this song I was originally writing it for myself, because it didn’t feel like an L.S. Dunes song to me, and if it was an L.S.Dunes song, it would most certainly… Read more »
The All-American Rejects got into the Halloween spirit this weekend at Jake Webber‘s Los Angeles house party as they played a surprise set. And many other cool guests were in attendance, including Johnnie Guilbert and Tara Yummy. Of course, the act traded out their typical rockstar get-up for some band-themed baseball player costumes. Here, the act played “Dirty Little Secret,” “Swing, Swing,” “Flagpole Sitta,” “I Wanna,” “Move Along,” and “Gives You Hell” according to TikTok user @concertkate. Check out snippets from their house party set below. Lead vocalist Tyson Ritter took to socials to share how much playing this unique… Read more »
Halloween season is upon us! One of the most festive ways to get in the spirit is with a playlist that embodies the haunts, chills, thrills, and spooks that await us in October. Here are 15 essential spooky rock songs to get your Halloween playlist started. Misfits — “Scream!” The Misfits have been unprecedented pioneers of the horror punk genre since the 1970s with their immaculate blend of horror-themed lyrics, imagery, and wardrobe. Any of their songs can be considered vital for your Halloween playlist. This just happens to be a top track and personal favorite. AFI — “Halloween” In… Read more »
Four Year Strong has officially dropped a pop-punk cover of Stone Temple Pilots‘ beloved track “Vasoline.” The cover is set to appear on Pabst Blue Ribbon and Pure Noise Records‘ compilation cover album, Dead Formats: Vol. 3. The record is officially set for release on October 18. You can pre-order your copy here. Alongside Four Year Strong‘s release, Pure Noise Records also revealed Spanish Love Songs‘ “Don’t Change” INXS cover and Grumpster‘s reimagining of Lit‘s “My Own Worst Enemy.” Previous cover releases set to appear on Dead Formats: Vol. 3 include ‘68’s rework of Beastie Boys‘ “Intergalactic,” Bloom‘s cover of… Read more »
Billie Joe Armstrong loves to have the time of his life whenever he performs. Especially when playing a 600-capacity venue with his side-project, The Coverups. This special stint at The Garage in the UK included a surprise guest performance with Courtney Love. “Ladies and gentlemen, Courtney Love,” Armstrong introduced the singer halfway through their show. Love, while known for her relationship with late Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain, also fronted one of the main riot grrrl acts of the ‘90s, Hole. “My name is Courtney Love—you may not remember me. I’ve been living in a cave in Birmingham for about nine… Read more »
