Search Results for: the voice

“We’re cranking up the big handle again and heading over yonder,” says INXS guitarist Tim Farriss about his band’s upcoming trek across America, the Aussie group’s first since 1997. “We’re really, really excited about it. It’s going to be a real interesting show.” Beginning May 30th in Anaheim, California, the twenty-four-date jaunt will mark the band’s first stateside gigs since the death of singer Michael Hutchence. Filling in on vocal duties for the time being is longtime friend of the band Jon Stevens, who over the last few years has taken the vocal reins at INXS shows Down Under. “Jon’s… Read more »

“One-man band”: when you hear that phrase you probably picture a dude on a street corner with a pair of cymbals between his knees, a drum on his back, some kazoos in his mouth and a guitar case full of quarters. Think again. While naming a band after yourself is fine and good for guys like Dave Matthews and Jon Spencer, some band names are actually just cryptic pseudonyms for a single, mad studio genius. The past year has seen an explosion of do-it-yourself-ers, including ex-Eels bassist Tommy Walter with his band Abandoned Pools, stone alone emo-ter Chris Carrabba of… Read more »

What would you say if someone told you Linda Perry, the unforgettable voice behind 4 Non Blondes’ 1992 hit “What’s Up?,” has become one of the hottest producers in pop music? Perhaps, in her words, “Hey, what’s goin’ on?” It’s a behind-the-boards comeback, that’s what, and all the one-hit wonders are doing it. Find it hard to believe Perry co-wrote and produced several songs on Pink’s Missundaztood, including the title track? Or that she’s behind upcoming projects from Christina Aguilera (see “Christina Aguilera: Not Your Puppet”), Solange Knowles and Courtney Love? Consider that Deep Blue Something’s Todd and Toby Pipes,… Read more »

No disses, no DJs and no drama – just rock. The Los Angeles band Puddle of Mudd, whose current single “Blurry” is a #1 modern rock hit, tore through an hour-long headlining set of blue-collar rock Thursday night at a sold-out Electric Factory. Puddle of Mudd – Wes Scantlin (vocals and guitar), Paul Phillips (guitar), Doug Ardito (bass) and Greg Upchurchperformed on a stage devoid of props or ornate backdrop. Frontman Scantlin wore everyguy clothes: jeans, T-shirt, windbreaker jacket and a reverse baseball cap. But what the band lacked in show-business dazzle they made up for in verve and intensity.… Read more »

Former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach was taken into police custody for making terrorist threats and for drug possession on Wednesday. Police in Middletown, New Jersey, said that what started as a simple bar fight got serious when Bach, whose real name is Sebastian Bierk, threatened to get a gun and shoot a bartender at the Lincroft Inn, a threat police say Bach continued to make even after his initial arrest for disorderly conduct. Witnesses told police that Bach initially wanted to go outside for a smoke and a bartender wouldn’t allow him to take his drink outside. According to… Read more »

Steve Macklam and Sam Feldman are pleased to announce the signing of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright to Macklam Management and S.L. Feldman & Associates‚ management roster. “We‚ve been watching his growth for quite some time. It’s rare to see an artist emerge with such a wonderful combination of talent, character and originality,” agree Macklam and Feldman. “We’re thrilled to represent him.” Wainwright, who was just nominated for two Juno Awards (Canada’s “Grammy”) for Best Songwriter and Best Alternative Album, launched his first headlining theatre and club tour Feb. 8 in Boston in support of his sophomore effort Poses (DreamWorks), which debuted… Read more »

Sirius Satellite Radio yesterday began the first phase of its national service rollout in four markets, Denver, Houston, Phoenix, and Jackson, Mississippi. To commemorate the start of its satellite radio service, Sirius broadcast inaugural programming and treated Jackson to a special live concert featuring Randy Travis and a host of country artists. “This is an important day in Sirius’ history and we are thrilled to bring our premier satellite radio service to listeners in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, and Jackson,” said Joseph P. Clayton, Sirius’ president and CEO. “This will be a big year for Sirius as we roll out our… Read more »

Paul McCartney’s ultimate hero is… the late fellow Beatle, John Lennon. “I’ve got a few heroes, but if I really have to plump for one, well howsabouts…. John?” McCartney was quoted as saying in a celebrity poll published in Wednesday’s music magazine Mojo. “But I have to add the reservation that it could also be the other Beatles – or Elvis. Or Little Richard. Or Nat King Cole.” Of Lennon, who was shot to death in 1980 outside his New York apartment building, McCartney reportedly said, “What I admire in him was massive talent, great wit, courage and humor. He… Read more »

Although the identity of the surprise middle act, Stacked Actors, had already leaked throughout a lean crowd of 200 at the Mountain Dew Ice Village in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday (Feb. 9), its frontman nevertheless made a point to properly introduce his band. “We’re not really called Stacked Actors,” announced Dave Grohl. “We’re Foo Fighters.” (“Stacked Actors,” of course is the title of a Foo Fighters song on There Is Nothing Left to Lose, which is allegedly about Courtney Love). Despite the blown surprise, the crowd erupted. The Foos promptly burst into a loose, yet lissome eight-song set… Read more »

EMI, one of the world’s top music companies, pushed on with yet more restructuring when it reorganized its labels under two global brands-Virgin and Capitol-and streamlined its international management. Alain Levy, chairman of EMI Recorded Music, said the company will concentrate on two international labels – Virgin and Capitol.The move came two days after EMI Group issued its second profits warning in six months. Levy has been leading a strategic review aimed at identifying costs and boosting business in the US music market. The EMI name was created in 1931 when the Gramophone Company merged with Columbia to form the… Read more »