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Exclusive Interview: Lou Gramm

Jesse Capps — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:16:16 +0000

Lou Gramm, accomplished musician, lead singer and songwriter of the iconic band Foreigner, just released his autobiography Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades In Rock ‘N’ Roll. The book details the Foreigner lead singer and co-writer’s career from his humble, working-class roots in Rochester, N.Y. to become one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most distinctive and popular voices. Working with best-selling author Scott Pitoniak (nationally honored newspaper columnist and author of 16 books), Gramm recounts his extraordinary life in this compelling and candid behind-the-scenes memoir.

Throughout Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades In Rock ‘N’ Roll, Gramm poignantly recounts how he realized his dream. Sadly, though, like many rock stars, Gramm would succumb to the trappings of wealth and fame. Foreigner’s remarkable success was due in large part to the song-writing synergy between Gramm and the band’s founder, Mick Jones. However, creative clashes between the two would become more frequent and the tension would result in Gramm’s departure, not once but twice, the second time for good.

But Gramm’s recounting of his life is also is a story of redemption. In the early 1990’s, he finally confronted his demons and checked into a drug rehabilitation center for a month. He came out a changed man and has remained sober ever since. Several years later, Gramm faced an even bigger challenge when diagnosed with an egg-sized brain tumor. After being given a death sentence by several physicians, he learned of a then-revolutionary laser surgery being done by a doctor in Boston. Gramm underwent a life-saving operation to remove the tumor and then courageously battled through radiation treatments and several harrowing years of rehab.

Gramm’s health and energy have rebounded. With a refocused second chance at life, Gramm has put his family and his faith first. While he still enjoys time on the road the touring schedule is now limited to fly-in dates and weekends.

Rock Confidential caught up with Gramm to discuss Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades In Rock ‘N’ Roll and the lack of radio support for still productive classic rock artists.

Lou, I appreciate you making time for this. Your book Juke Box Hero is out now. Did you ever think of writing a book at any other point in your career?

I did. I started thinking about it a year or two after my tumor was removed. I thought that was at a monumental happening in my life, not necessarily a great time. For better or worse it happened. You never walk away from something like that unchanged.

I would imagine you had to be more reflective at that time in your life.

I was. That and between the time they told me I had a brain tumor and the days before I went it to have it removed. My thoughts were totally entangled.

It had to be an emotional process.

It was. A number of memories are downright funny. I will always reminisce about them. There were other painful parts that I knew I would have to recall because they were important. Even after all these years.

What made now the right time for Juke Box Hero?

If it had happened any earlier it wouldn’t sound like a completed story. It really feels like it is now because I’ve been in the business for so long and have done so much. It just felt like it was time to tell the story.

There are so many stories to tell – so many highlights of your life and career. Did you make notes of certain things and events you wanted in the book before you started?

I probably should have! I didn’t. Scott Pitoniak, who wrote the book with me, was aware of much of my story. Even though we didn’t write in the correct timeline – we jumped around, he provoked me into remembering things I may not have even included in the story. He was very good at stimulating my memory to recall things – good and bad – I probably wouldn’t have thought of left to my own device.

Did you know Scott before you started working together?

I knew of Scott because he’s a sports writer here in Rochester, New York. I remember his articles to be thought provoking and very much from the human standpoint, not slanted or opinionated. He was great at just telling the story. He’s written some great sports books. As we talked we both realized that sports was not all that different from a rock n’ roll band – action, teamwork, interplay, personalities, egos. It’s very similar in that aspect. When we talked about the possibility of working together it was very intriguing to me. I didn’t think I had enough for one story and he convinced me I had enough for two books! We’re getting started on the second one now. Just kidding.

Since you weren’t trying to tell the stories in chronological order you were probably more thorough just telling the stories as they came up.

That’s exactly what we did. Scott put everything in order afterwards.

You mentioned earlier that some of the stories were painful to recall. Were there any stories that you didn’t feel comfortable sharing for the book?

There were a few things. When Scott would ask I would start to answer and try my best but if it was too emotional or there was too much angst involved I would tell him so and ask to move on.

On the flip side of that sometimes having too much fun can be incriminating! Were there any escapades that you had to leave out of the book to keep everyone innocent?

Definitely! Maybe my second book will be titled Escapades! I made sure to tell enough so everyone will know the boys had fun.

As you were proofing the book and reading what you thought was a finished product, did you go back and take out some things you weren’t sure about?

Absolutely. It was usually about former relationships or something that would leave me wide open for a lawsuit. Or maybe something was unnecessarily incriminating or hurtful that wasn’t so important that it needed to be in the book. Maybe I wanted to save a relationship.

That’s cool. There are so many music and entertainment autobiographies coming out now that are full of so many cheap shots…

Absolutely. It’s like that was their only purpose.

I would rather hold on to that relationship instead of destroying it in exchange for a short-lived moment of glory in a book.

Yep. Even though I was truthful and told it like it was I didn’t try to verbally assassinate anyone.

People will always ask about new material, new songs, a new record. There is a terrible trend for established classic rock artists – where is the outlet for new material? It’s like a black hole full of active rock bands. These bands are highly successful on the road but when it comes to new material nobody is there to play it. What happened?

Corporate radio. Radio stations have been gobbled up by corporations that have nothing to do with music. They just know a good deal when they see one, especially when they know they can make money. That’s why there are very few independent radio stations left in the country. When a corporation takes over they choose they playlist and decide what will and what won’t be played. When that started happening in the early nineties that marked the end of new music for bands like us and the Eagles and Bryan Adams. It marked the end of new albums and new music on rock stations. Even though the acts are still creative and commercially viable, we were forced into that classic rock category where they would continue to keep our old hits in rotation but would never, ever play something new by us again.

How does that affect you as a songwriter?

It takes away the impetus to write. Honestly. The impetus to write is for songs to be heard. Rock stations had a whole new slew of rock bands to choose from. In the early nineties through the late nineties there were so many artists that had one decent album and then disappeared. Radio was ready to collapse. We felt like we were being put out to pasture before our time.

It’s a dirty game.

It is a dirty game. It’s not a fair game, either. If we had made albums that continually stiffed I could see the reasoning. Bands were being ripped out of hit rotation while they were still in their prime. The most important part is not performing old hits or still making a living from them. Sure, that’s wonderful but to continue to be creative and current and viable is really the true bread and butter of the business.

A Review Of The New Album From Rawk Band The Veils

Bertrand Klein — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:58:02 +0000

I’m usually very critical with the accolades I read when it comes to a band releasing a new album. After 13 years of freelance writing and god knows how many album reviews and show reviews I’ve done; I know that the captions any journalist and music reviewer gets when she or he receives a press release for a band is only going to show the best of what the band should be best known and remembered for. I’d say maybe once or twice a year I get a press release where the band seems interesting and the captions sound like it could be a great sonic journey and really is.

I can say that with this band it really is what the reviews say they are. Even if they have been working on this album for the past four years, it was worth the wait, and hey most TOOL fans feel the same way awaiting their new release(s), so The Veils didn’t just release an album that was gonna just be a bunch of disjointed songs. In fact this is the first time in god knows how long that I have just let an album play from first to last song. I think the last time this happened was when The Horrors released their album Skying so maybe more than a year has passed with me not finding an album worthy of a front to back play.

The album Time Stays, We Go is as close to rock perfection as I’ve heard in a very long time, there are elements of it that remind me the Talking Heads and others that don’t remind me of anything which is amazing, some elements definitely make me think of Bowie and others of Nick Cave but either which way the band is definitely worth checking out. The band is headed by singer/songwriter Finn Andrews who was a raised in New Zealand and is the son of XTC/Shriekback (for all 80’s fans) keyboardist Barry Andrews, music certainly runs through this man’s veins.

The Veils fourth studio album was recorded in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles and was scheduled for release on April 29th of this year and the album didn’t disappoint in the least bit. The studio is also the same LA studio that gave birth to their 2006 album Nux Vomica. Andrews has been referred to and considered as an indie music oddball but after a listen to this current album who really cares its good fucking music hands down, and that is what really matters here. On this current opus the result is a wonderfully unusual soundscape that will constantly make you say this reminds me of…

This is also their first release in over four long years, the album was produced by Andrews and Adam Greenspan (who is known for his work with Divine Fits and Montreal’s Arcade Fire) and it was mixed to tape by seminal English producer Bill Price (who worked with The Clash and Jesus & Mary Chain), and who apparently the band lured out of retirement to work on this record.

Make no mistake when listening to Time Stays, We Go, there’s very little mainstream Billboard top-40 type material here but Andrews’ unstoppable song-writing allows for him to hit the off-beat musical directions. He goes off in a number of different musical directions on this album you will hear all sorts of instruments that you normally wouldn’t associate with rawk music like mariachi horns among a slew of others.

Finn Andrews has an extraordinary voice. But for some dumb fucking reason this band remains a band for those who’ve somehow stumbled onto them or were suggested it by a friend with great taste in music. As a journalist I hate doing in depth song reviews and outlining all the small innuendos and complexities of the songs, I’m not a musician so I won’t bore anyone with technical stuff, mainly because I can’t but I will say this the ear worm providing album opener, ’Through the Deep, Dark Wood’ makes you shudder and only those with strong willpower won’t succumb to a fir of air-drumming to the track while they listen to it.

Paradise Lost To Embark On 25th-Anniversary ‘Tragic Illusion’ Tour

Blabbermouth — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:22:15 +0000

British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST have announced a four-date U.K. tour to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Support on the trek will come from Italian hevy rockers LACUNA COIL.

Commented PARADISE LOST vocalist Nick Holmes: “25 years is a long time. On the surface, we may look ramshackled, but playing music for so many years has kept us young in our hearts and I truly believe that a youthful spirit is one of the greatest things you can’t buy in a pub.

“We have written many albums, played many concerts; we are older and not really any wiser, but there is a strong possibility we may play a song you thought we never would. So please come along and join the celebrations with us, including our biggest U.K. headline show to date!”

Added LACUNA COIL vocalist Cristina Scabbia: “PARADISE LOST were in between the bands that strongly influenced me as a singer, when I started my career with LACUNA COIL, so it is just awesome for me to realize we’ll share the stage with them on this upcoming tour. I am sure that the dark vibe coming from the stage will totally embrace old school and new fans making it an event you absolutely CAN’T miss! Boy, I can’t wait!!!”

Tickets go on pre-sale Wednesday, May 22 and on general sale Friday, May 24. In addition, there will be a special VIP package available to buy (limited to 25 per venue) which includes:

* An exclusive deluxe box containing 2 engraved beer glasses featuring all the band’s album titles and crown of thorns logo.
* Exclusive VIP-only t-shirt with artwork from the forthcoming “Tragic Illusion” album.
* A 180-gram vinyl copy of the reissued landmark “Gothic” album, personally signed by all the band members.
* Crown of Thorns tote bag
* VIP lanyard and laminate allowing you access to the show
* Early access to the show
* Meet-and-greet with the band
* Photo opportunity with the band (please bring your own camera)

PARADISE LOST will play the following shows:

Oct. 30 – Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
Oct. 31 – Glasgow, ABC
Nov. 01 – Manchester, The Ritz
Nov. 03 – London, Roundhouse

Original story source: Read Here.

Doors Founding Member Ray Manzarek Dead At 74

Jesse Capps — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:08:06 +0000

Ray Manzarek — who co-founded “The Doors” with Jim Morrison in 1965 and played keyboard — has died, this according to the band’s official Facebook page.

Manzarek was 74.

According to the website, Manzarek passed away today at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany after a lengthy battle with bile duct cancer.

At the time of his death, Ray was surrounded by his wife Dorothy and his brothers Rick and James.

Along with Jim … Ray and The Doors churned out some of the most iconic rock songs in history — including, “L.A. Woman,” “Break On Through to the Other Side,” “The End,” “Hello, I Love You,” and “Light My Fire.”

Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger released a statement saying, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek.”

He added, “I’m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him.”

According to the band’s official Facebook page … Ray’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, fans should make an in memoriam donation in Ray’s name to Standup2cancer.org.

Original story source: Read Here.

‘Heavy Metal And Punk Fossils’ Exhibition To Open In Denmark Next Month

Blabbermouth — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:55:55 +0000

When a scientist discovers a new and unknown fossil, he gets to give it a scientific name. Some choose a name that reflects the shape of the animal, some choose a name that relates to where it’s found, and others choose to name them after their favorite rock stars.

A new exhibition, “Heavy Metal And Punk Fossils”, explores this more amusing part of natural history by focusing on a series of bizarre fossils that all are named in honor of rock stars. One of the pieces on display will be a 420-million-year-old worm with huge jaws, which carries the name Kingnites Diamondi, named by Professor Mats Eriksson, from Lund, Sweden, after the Danish metal maestro King Diamond. Another equally old and ferocious-looking worm is named Kalloprion Kilmisteri, after Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD. Other fossils that are portrayed in the exhibition are named after members of AC/DC, BAD RELIGION, SEX PISTOLS, and RAMONES. And although not very metal, a fiercely looking dinosaur, Masikasaurus Knopfleri, is named after Mark Knopfler from DIRE STRAITS.

The exhibition portrays the story behind the fossils, the rock stars and the scientists behind the names, and the funny anecdotes about why they choose the names they did.

The exhibition is being held as a cooperation between Dr. Jesper Milàn, curator at Geomuseum Faxe and Esben Horn from 10Tons Aps, a company specializing in zoological and palaeontological reconstructions who built models for the exhibition.

Professor Mats Eriksson from Lund, Sweden, Dr. Gregory Edgdecombe, Natural History Museum in London and Dr. Jingmai O’Connor from Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology in Beijing have been scientific supervisors on the project.

The “Heavy Metal And Punk Fossils” exhibition will open on June 9 at Geomuseum Faxe in Faxe, Denmark.

Original story source: Read Here.

System Of A Down Bassist’s ‘Bad Judgment’ Led To ‘Misleading’ Statements About Band’s Future

Blabbermouth — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:26:50 +0000

SYSTEM OF A DOWN has released the following statement:

“Earlier today, Shavo [Odadjian, SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist] posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of SYSTEM OF A DOWN as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone. To be clear, the full band lineup of Serj [Tankian, vocals], Daron [Malakian, guitar/vocals], Shavo and John [Dolmayan, drums] will be performing all scheduled tour dates. With respect to new SOAD music, although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans.”

SYSTEM OF A DOWN last released new music in 2005 on the “Mezmerize” and “Hypnotize” albums, going on hiatus the following year.

The band reunited in 2011 for touring purposes and will spend the summer on a European festival circuit, while performing only one North American show in 2013 at California’s famed Hollywood Bowl.

In a series of postings on his Facebook page, Shavo wrote: “OK… I’ll come clean.. It’s not us (meaning Daron [Malakian, guitar/vocals], John [Dolmayan, drums] or Shavo!!) It’s Serj who doesn’t want to do a new album!!!! So please stop harassing us about it!!! We are just waiting for Serj! Now he might hate me for exposing the truth, but I had to..

“Sorry, folks!!! We’re trying to get a new album out, it’s just not passing Serj‘s rules! Kinda funny, since we started the band and now he’s holding us back!! I think we should should release another album again??? As for me.. I’m ready to release one with someone who wants to be the singer of SYSTEM, not someone we have to beg to be a part of SYSTEM!!

“So with that in mind, what do you guys [think] we should do? Just remember, he’s been holding us back for seven years so far. Wanna wait another 4-5 years? Or shall we release a record without Serj? You tell us.

“I don’t want to make a record without him… but if he’s not down? Should the three of us just sit and wait?? Not cool!!!!!!!! I want the fans from all over the world, including Brazil, to tell us what they think. No SYSTEM? Or SYSTEM with with a new singer who’s just as good, if not better? PLUS new SYSTEM songs and tours???? Please give me your opinion, people!!! Is SYSTEM better with no singer or someone who is excited to be our new singer?? You decide.,. ’cause I’m confused!!!

“No diss to Serj. If he wants to be in the band, then he’s welcome, but if he’s not? What do you expect us three to do? We really want another SYSTEM record! Wish Serj was down, but if he’s not, then I’m going ahead and making a SYSTEM record without him!!! I’m furious that he let us down like this, but we gotta do something to keep this great band alive!!! Agreed?”

Tankian last year had a message for SYSTEM OF A DOWN fans waiting for a new album: don’t hold your breath. In an interview with Loudwire, Tankian explained, “We haven’t made plans of recording the new record as of yet. When we do, everyone will know. We haven’t really discussed another record as of now with any of the guys, really. It’s something that, when it’s the right time, we’ll do it. Right now I’m busy with my own stuff and that’s gonna take me a bit, but when it’s the right time, everyone will know. I don’t even want to say there’s [a new SYSTEM album] coming because we haven’t really talked about it.”

Although rumors have circulated for years about animosity within the band, drummer John Dolmayan told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that the members of SYSTEM are still friends. “I think a part of it is people like drama, you know. They look for it, and they want drama involved, they want SYSTEM to have problems. There’s a lot of haters out there, let’s face it, and as much as the fans really want the band to get together just so that they can see and enjoy the music again, there’s also just as many people that would like to see us not getting along and, you know, no hope of reuniting.”

Tankian told Loudwire that SYSTEM‘s recent tours have been a “blast,” adding, “I think we’ve played better because of it. There was new excitement in playing together and all of the shows have been really great. Everyone’s told us that we sound better than we did in 2006 when we left off, so I think it’s great.”

Original story source: Read Here.

System Of A Down Imploding – Does Anybody Care?

Blabbermouth — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:20:22 +0000

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian is “holding [the group] back” by being unwilling to make a new album with his bandmates, claims SYSTEM bassist Shavo Odadjian.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN last released new music in 2005 on the “Mezmerize” and “Hypnotize” albums, going on hiatus the following year.

The band reunited in 2011 for touring purposes and will spend the summer on a European festival circuit, while performing only one North American show in 2013 at California’s famed Hollywood Bowl.

Original story source: Read Here.

2013 Billboard Music Awards: Full Winners’ List

Jesse Capps — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:22:04 +0000

The big winner at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, held Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, was Taylor Swift, who took home an impressive eight trophies.

Taylor won awards for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Top Digital Artist, and Top Billboard 200 Artist, as well as Top Country Artist, Album, and Song.

Other multiple winners included Gotye (four awards), Rihanna (four), Madonna (three), Nicki Minaj (three), One Direction (three), Carly Rae Jepsen (three), Justin Bieber (two), Baauer (two), tobyMac (two), and the late Jenni Rivera (two).

Below is a full list of all the winners at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. Did your favorite artists win?

Top Artist – Taylor Swift

Jack Russell To Be Featured In Documentary About Nashville

Blabbermouth — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:23:38 +0000

Jack Russell may not be the first musician that comes to mind when you think of Nashville, but the city of Nashville holds a special place in his heart, which is why he is one of the featured artists in the upcoming “Music City USA”, a documentary by Chris McDaniel.

This film is about the resiliency of this legendary town, and the musicians that call it home, have been inspired there and the incredible spirit of Nashville — Music City. The film features musicians from all genres, country, reggae, rock, etc. and the antagonist in the film is the Nashville flood. Also featured in this inspirational movie are Naomi Judd, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels and many more.

Jack talks about the healing powers of music, which have played such a huge part in his life, his recovery and his recent comeback to once again command the stage he was born to be on.

This will be a must-see for any musician, and anyone ever touched by or inspired by music.

For more information, go to www.musiccitymovie.com.

Original story source: Read Here.

Stone Temple Pilots And Chester Bennington Make Surprise Appearance At KROQ Weenie Roast

Jesse Capps — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:27:41 +0000

Get a Free Download of “Out Of Time” on radio.com here: smarturl.it/stpoutoftime

Fans attending KROQ’s annual Weenie Roast over the weekend got a real surprise when Stone Temple Pilots took the stage unannounced, for a blistering set with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park as lead vocalist.

The crowd went wild as the band performed STP classics like ‘Sex Type Thing’ and ‘Vasoline’ and also debuted a brand new song, “Out of Time”– the recording of which KROQ premiered immediately following the band’s explosive 40 minute set.

When Stone Temple Pilots band members, Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz began thinking of singers to accompany the new music they were working on, Bennington was at the top of the list. “Chester has a one-of-a-kind voice that we’ve admired for a long time,” said Dean DeLeo. “We know Linkin Park will always be his priority, but we thought it would be cool to try something together. We managed to find the time to record a song and we’re all really happy with the result.”

“I’ve loved STP since I was 13 years old and they’ve had a huge influence on me,” explained Bennington. “When the opportunity came up to do something creative with them, I jumped at the chance. The guys in Linkin Park have been incredibly supportive of me undertaking this project while I’ve continued to work on new music with LP.”