Search Results for: Neck Deep

Just when some old-school Metallica fans were ready to write the band off for crafting St. Anger – which prominently features a snare drum that sounds like a screwdriver hitting a trashcan – and for playing snippets of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and Lenny Kravitz’s “Are you Gonna Go My Way” at the VMAs, the band has redeemed itself. OK, they were doing fine before the VMAs. Few who attended Metallica’s Summer Sanitarium concerts walked away disappointed. The tour featured the band in peak form, bashing out its oldest and heaviest songs. However, a show on Friday for fan club… Read more »

In a year fraught with political turmoil, turbulence and insecurity, music fans turned to their favorite songs to take them away from many of their problems and help them come to terms with others that were impossible to escape. Whether it was Eminem rapping, “Lose yourself in the music,” or Bruce Springsteen singing, “Come on up for the rising/ Come on up, lay your hands in mine,” the messages of unity were universal. At the 45th annual Grammy Awards, held Sunday (February 23) at New York’s Madison Square Garden, apolitical hedonists and social activists alike rallied together to celebrate the… Read more »

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, timber cutters, miners, construction workers and truck drivers face the highest risk of injury on the job. Perhaps the Labor Department would add “musical performer” to that list if it bothered to assign someone to study the goings-on at say, Ozzfest or the Anger Management Tour – or even Britney Spears’ Dream Within a Dream Tour – to take note of the amount of blood spilled and number of fingers/arms/knees/backs injured onstage. While many imagine that a music superstar’s day on the job involves such trappings as free-flowing Cristal, gold grills, hovering hotties… Read more »

No-Cal scenesters, local yokels, friends and even fans of Jason Newsted’s old band showed up in force to witness the launching of Echobrain’s first tour at an all-ages show at the Mystic Theatre. Echobrain, with drummer Brian Sagrafena and singer/guitarist Dylan Donkin, is Newsted’s first steady gig since leaving Metallica in January 2001. The bassist seemed overjoyed at the intimacy of the show, which took place in a small theater in a town known more for its chicken industry than its cosmopolitan culture. “It’s the first day of spring today, and it’s a fresh start for all of us right… Read more »

While Dec. 31, 2001, may not rank up there with the millennium celebrations, there’s still plenty of top-notch live music being presented in the clubs and arenas of the U.S. this New Year’s Eve. So, if you’re planning to get off the couch while Dick Clark rings in 2002 in Times Square, rest assured that there are worthwhile options in most major cities. In New York, band of the moment the Strokes will open for perennial indie favorite Guided By Voices at the famed Apollo Theatre. Further downtown, Phish’s Page McConnell will premiere his new band, Vida Blue, which features… Read more »

George Harrison, lead guitarist for the band that single handedly changed the face of rock forever, lost his battle with cancer Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 58. The Associated Press reports that Harrison passed away at 4:30 p.m. EST at a friend’s home. His wife, Olivia Harrison, and son Dhani were with him. The Beatles, unlike most bands of the early ’60s, both wrote and performed their songs, making them the first entirely self-contained music outfit. Even today, few superstar acts can take credit for penning all their hits, but from writing the lyrics and music to recording in… Read more »

Jessica Simpson is regarded as one of the hottest singers in pop music today, and she’s also the star of a new national advertising campaign for Bally Total Fitness. With her brand new look and attitude, Simpson has proven that she has matured greatly as an artist since the release of her 1999 debut album, Sweet Kisses. The Texas native admitted to LAUNCH that she has a deep, dark Halloween secret that would make do-it-yourself queen Martha Stewart envious. “I was a table for Halloween once. A table. Me and my best friend Cooper were a table for Halloween. What… Read more »

More than 25 artists – from boys (of the Backstreet, ‘NSYNC and O-Town variety) to men (elder statesmen such as Aerosmith, James Brown and Rod Stewart), from vocal queens (Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Carole King) to the King of Pop – took the stage Sunday at RFK Stadium for the all-day United We Stand – What More Can I Give benefit concert for victims of September’s terrorist attacks. Themes of unity and perseverance permeated every performance, with artists often thanking the sold-out crowd for the message they were sending to the rest of the country – that no matter the… Read more »

As entertainment venues nationwide step up security measures in response to last week’s devastating terrorist attacks, concertgoers are seeing a greater presence of security workers and police as well as longer lines due to stricter search procedures. But more significant changes are happening behind the scenes as venues beef up their pre-event surveillance, make adjustments to loading and backstage policies and tighten checks of all individuals – not just fans – entering the building. “Behind the scenes is where any of the anti-terrorism type of security precautions will occur,” Gary Bongiovanni, editor of concert industry magazine Pollstar, said. “That means… Read more »

Having just reached its one-year anniversary, J Records has many reasons to celebrate. Three platinum albums have already been born – Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross and O-Town – and J artists literally govern the tops of multiple Billboard charts. And adding to this massive success, last night Alicia Keys’ #1 hit “Fallin”‘ won Best New Artist video at the MTV VMA Awards. Hence, it is with great excitement that J Records proudly unveils their long awaited online hub located at www.Jrecords.com. The site, designed by kpe, focuses on presenting the large scope of the J Records roster – now 30… Read more »