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28 фев 2025
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Hopes To Release New Album Before End Of 2025
 In a new interview with U.K.'s Amped magazine, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA vocalist Mike Hranica spoke about what fans can expect from the band's upcoming follow-up to 2022's "Color Decay" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " I think Jeremy's [DePoyster, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA guitarist/vocalist] already kind of said this before, but we couldn't make happy songs if our lives depended on it. So when the next record inevitably comes along, and we have a lot of songs we're sitting on, people can expect to feel as sad as ever, because even when we kind of put it to the test to brighten things up, it's, like, that's just not THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA at all. So I don't wanna say more of the same, because that's the last thing that any artist wants to do, but it certainly hasn't gotten brighter, I'll say that."
As for a possible release date for the next THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA LP, Mike said: "I think we'll have a new record this year. We'll see. And then hopefully this time next year back [on the road] in E.U., U.K. and, yeah, doing it all over again. [It will be] year 21 [for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA] by then, if we're not dead. So, we'll see."
Last November, DePoyster confirmed to Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", that he and his bandmates were working on a new THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA album. "We are, definitely," he said. "I mean, it's been about two years since we put ['Color Decay'] out. But we've been working on that record for a couple years since before then. We're really busy, like too busy. We've kind of spent every single moment that we're not on tour going out to California and renting some studios and writing a bunch of stuff. So we're sitting on a big pile of stuff. But we will definitely not put anything out until next year. I didn't really wanna cloud up the set with trying to put out a new song and stuff. But I would say this [fall 2024 North American] tour and our European tour coming up [in February 2025] are probably the tail end of the 'Color Decay' era. And then we're gonna push forward from there."
Asked if THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA still believes in "the album philosophy" as opposed to focusing on singles, Jeremy said: "Oh my gosh, yeah. Dude, I'm old school, man. I still like records. [Laughs]"
He added: "You know what? A couple of years ago, I had a bunch of people telling me the record is dead. It's all about singles now. It's all about short form. And then a bunch of my friends in other bands just kept putting out records and we kept putting out records. And I'm, like, I don't think the suits really know what's going on. I think the fans and the bands definitely know what's going on. And I think people just, especially with physical media and putting an LP on and listening to it, there's just something about just from start to finish, a really well-curated track listing, and that sets the vibe that I don't think we'll ever go away from."
Asked if there is any sort of theme or direction for the new material that he and his bandmates have been working on so far, Jeremy said: "I think we all, particularly Mike and myself, and Jon [Jonathan Gering], our keyboard player, that we write all the lyrics, and I think we all were, like, 'Man, I'm in a really good headspace. My life's really good. I'm feeling great. We've had a lot of great tours. My relationship's awesome.' And then we started writing, and it was, like, 'Oh, man. This is so depressing and so soul crushing.' And so I think there's just these little demons lurking in there that come out when you put the pen down and you're, like, 'Oh, I didn't even know that was in there.' … I think sonically, maybe I want it a little more upbeat, but it's kind of like a pop song that just destroys your life type of thing — with some breakdowns. You can't get away from the breakdowns."
"Color Decay" followed 2019's "The Act". As Revolver stated when selecting the record as one of the "50 Most Anticipated Albums Of 2022," "THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA have proven time and time again that it's possible to never stop sonically experimenting — with screamo, with spoken word, with atmospheric electronica, with sludge — and never lose their own crushing identity. Anticipating their next successful risk is one of the things that makes being a TDWP fan so rewarding."
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA have been consistently delivering since forming in 2005. Fans voted 2009's seminal "With Roots Above And Branches Below" one of the "5 Greatest Metalcore Albums" in a Revolver poll, with the magazine christening it "a true metalcore landmark." The group has notched six consecutive Top 5 debuts on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart, including "Dead Throne" (2011),"8:18" (2013),"Space" EP (2015),"Transit Blues" (2016),"The Act" (2019) and "ZII" EP (2021). The latter served as a sequel to one of their most beloved projects — 2010's "Zombie" EP. In the wake of the EP, the group exceeded a quarter of a billion cumulative streams and views. During 2021, the musicians decamped to remote hideaways together in Wisconsin and Desert Hot Springs, California. This time around, keyboardist/programmer Jonathan Gering took the reins as producer, collaborating closely to assemble a rich sonic architecture for what would become "Color Decay".
Photo credit: Imani Givertz | 0 | |
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28 фев 2025
THE DARKNESS Shares 'Walking Through Fire' Single From Upcoming 'Dreams On Toast' Album
 British rock band THE DARKNESS — singer/guitarist Justin Hawkins, guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain and drummer Rufus Taylor — has released a scorching new single, "Walking Through Fire", the latest song to be taken from the band's forthcoming album "Dreams On Toast", due out March 28 via Cooking Vinyl. Watch the in-the-studio visualizer below.
"Walking Through Fire" is an epic DARKNESS anthem with signature guitar solos, a thunderous rhythm section and high-flying falsetto flourishes which deliver an amusing ode to the band's love of rock 'n' roll and the state of the music industry in 2025.
Regarding the single, Justin Hawkins says: "The life of an artist is grueling endeavor, leavened with rare moments of shining success. We wade through sweet treacle every day, to make things for others to love. For we chosen few, this is akin to climbing a mountain for the glorious view, whilst studiously avoiding looking at the discarded condom that has attached itself to our stylish yet practical hiking footwear. To rephrase in less oblique tones, nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and that is why we, THE DARKNESS, are walking through fire… thinking of you."
"Walking Through Fire" is the fourth single to be taken from "Dreams On Toast". It follows the self-deprecating glam punk rock of "I Hate Myself", jaunty pop genius of "The Longest Kiss" and tongue-in-cheek reflection of "Rock And Roll Party Cowboy" — showcasing the diversity and brilliance of the band's eighth studio album.
Produced by Dan Hawkins, "Dreams On Toast" flawlessly captures THE DARKNESS in their finest form, celebrating their influences, strengthening their sound, while also embarking on avenues never heard from the band before in a grand display from a passionate, hungry and inspired collective.
From the likes of the jaunty '70s pop genius of lead single "The Longest Kiss", searing hard rock of "Rock And Roll Party Cowboy", heartfelt '60s pop balladry of "Hot On My Tail", huge swaggering anthems such as "Mortal Dread" and "Walking Through Fire", while even creating a country classic with "Cold Hearted Woman", "Dreams On Toast" brings all of the wildest fantasies of THE DARKNESS to life.
When "Dreams On Toast" was first announced in September 2024, Justin said in a statement: "You know that thing when God's breath tickles your soul and tells you to create? Yeah, makes me giggle too. But you can't resist. God might not be the power she once was, but say what you like about her, she knows damn well that what the world needs now, is rock sweet rock. And who are we, mere mortals of extraordinary ability, to argue with the divine?
"So we knuckled down and thought really hard about the best of the best, the elite songs, the life-changing music of the ages. Then we popped out a dozen bangers before lunch. And these bangers we present to you here, wallowing in an aromatic aural ragu, served atop the charred remains of our envious contemporaries… ladies and gentlemen, I give you 'Dreams On Toast'!"
"Dreams On Toast" track listing:
01. Rock And Roll Party Cowboy
02. I Hate Myself
03. Hot On My Tail
04. Mortal Dread
05. Don't Need Sunshine
06. The Longest Kiss
07. The Battle For Gadget Land
08. Cold Hearted Woman
09. Walking Through Fire
10. Weekend In Rome
"Dreams On Toast" album artwork was designed by Grammy-nominated artist Perry Shall.
THE DARKNESS closed 2024 with a special treat for fans at a series of six intimate Rough Trade in stores across the U.K. where they performed songs from "Dreams On Toast" live for the very first time. The band will now hit the road in 2025 on a much larger scale and the "Dreams On Toast" U.K. headline tour will see them play 18 shows across the country, finishing at London's OVO Wembley Arena on March 29. This will be followed by a further 21 dates across Europe.
"Welcome To The Darkness", the epic documentary directed by famed photographer Simon Emmett, will be available for the first time in the U.S. on April 15. The film originally released November 2023 in the U.K., follows THE DARKNESS from before their wildly successful monster debut album "Permission To Land" in 2003 throughout the majestic highs and massive lows over the years, to beyond 2017's "Pinewood Smile".
Photo credit: Simon Emmett | +2 | |
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27 фев 2025
LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE: GRAMMY AWARDS 'Mean F***ing Nothing To Me'
 During an appearance on the latest episode of "The Jasta Show", the video podcast hosted by HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was asked if he watched this year's Grammy Awards. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No, bro. No… I was happy that GOJIRA won [in the 'Best Metal Performance' category this year]. There's the homies. I've been a longtime backer of them. But I don't ever watch the Grammys."
He continued: "The thing about the Grammys, and I've been told… People are always, like, 'They don't know anything about metal,' and, 'They don't know anything about this,' and, 'Why did this person win?' Most of the members of The Recording Academy, and I've been informed this, they don't [know much about metal]… 'Cause you have to vote for every single category. You can't be, like, 'I'm into metal. I'm a member of The Recording Academy. I'm gonna vote for this, because that's my expertise.' No. You have to vote for every single category. So half the time, a member of The Recording Academy, who is some member of the record industry, whatever, hands it to their secretary and says, 'Fill this out.' It's not a jury of your fucking peers."
Blythe added: "I'm very proud of GOJIRA that they got this, and I'm not trying to denigrate their achievements or anything, but the Grammys mean fucking nothing to me. I have five nominations.
"They don't even send me the invite anymore because I auctioned my Grammy medallions off for charity.
"To quote Flavor Flav, who gives a fuck about a goddamn Grammy? Not me. I don't care. I don't care about prizes and I don't need a cookie. If I made what I like, it's cool.
"If that's important to someone else, fine. But I don't give a fuck."
Back in 2007, then-LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler told TimesDispatch.com that Blythe was staging a personal Grammy strike, even though their band was nominated at that year's event — alongside MINISTRY, SLAYER, STONE SOUR and MASTODON — in the "Best Metal Performance" category for its tune "Redneck".
"Randy, in his own mind, is staying true to his rock roots and boycotting the show," Adler told TimesDispatch.com at the time. "He's been calling us sellouts in rehearsal. But we never asked for this. As long as we're creating the music we're happy with, what other people think is irrelevant. To me, it doesn't feel like we've sold out to anything."
Blythe's second book, "Just Beyond The Light: Making Peace With The Wars Inside Our Head", came out on February 18 via Grand Central Publishing (GCP).
"Just Beyond The Light" was described by Blythe as a "tight, concise roadmap of how I have attempted to maintain what I believe to be a proper perspective in life, even during difficult times."
In December, Blythe announced more spoken-word and question-and-answer events to promote "Just Beyond The Light". The special "evening with" event includes a spoken-word performance, an audience question-and-answer session, a copy of "Just Beyond The Light" and an opportunity to have the book signed.
In 2012, Blythe was arrested in the Czech Republic and charged with manslaughter for allegedly pushing a 19-year-old fan offstage at a show two year prior and causing injuries that led to the fan's death. Blythe spent 37 days in a Prague prison before ultimately being found not guilty in 2013.
Blythe's prison experience inspired two songs on LAMB OF GOD's 2015 album "VII: Sturm Und Drang": "512", one of his three prison cell numbers, and "Still Echoes", written while he was in Pankrac Prison, a dilapidated facility built in the 1880s that had been used for executions by the Nazis during World War II. It also led him to write his first book, "Dark Days", in which he shared his whole side of the story publicly for the first time. | +1 | |
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27 фев 2025
GEOFF TATE Says He Saw QUEENSRŸCHE's MICHAEL WILTON And EDDIE JACKSON 'The Other Night': 'They Seem Very Happy Doing What They're Doing'
 In a new interview with "RockDrop", hosted by former MTV's "Headbangers Ball" presenter Vanessa Warwick, ex-QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate was asked about the possibility of a reunion of the classic lineup of his former band. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " Well, I would say never say never. I don't think it's likely. I believe Chris [DeGarmo, original QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist] is taking on a whole different lifestyle, a whole different way of life these days. I'm very busy and very happy doing what I'm doing. And Michael [Wilton, QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist] and Eddie [Jackson, QUEENSRŸCHE bassist] are still touring [as QUEENSRŸCHE]. I went and saw them the other night, actually, somewhere in Sweden; I can't remember exactly where it was," apparently referring to early February 2025 when both QUEENSRŸCHE and Tate happened to play Gothenburg, Sweden one day apart. "But they seem very happy doing what they're doing. And so, peace."
Tate and current QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre crossed paths in June 2017 when QUEENSRŸCHE and Tate performed — separately — at the Rock Fest festival in Barcelona, Spain, where Geoff appeared as the special guest of AVANTASIA. Geoff ended up sidestage watching his previous band perform with its new vocalist and later said that he got to "say hi" to Michael and Eddie at the event.
Tate previously talked about a possible QUEENSRŸCHE reunion last November in an interview with Metalhead Marv of This Day In Metal. He said at the time: "I don't think it's likely, really, at this point. I mean, there's been several offers on the table, getting the band back together. And nothing has inspired anybody to get in the same room or even pick up the phone and talk. So, I think it's pretty unlikely. In fact, there's not really a band anymore. [Laughs] With [drummer Scott] Rockenfield gone, it's just Eddie and Michael playing, using the name QUEENSRŸCHE, of course, which is very valuable. And it's not really a 'band band' as we know it. So, yeah, I don't really think it's likely."
When Metalhead Marv noted that it sounds like Geoff is "willing to give" a QUEENSRŸCHE reunion "a try" if it happens, Tate clarified: "Well, I would say that I'm very willing to talk about it. That's the first step. You've gotta actually pick up the phone [laughs] and answer the phone call. [Laughs]"
Geoff previously discussed his time with QUEENSRŸCHE in June 2024 in an interview with Cassius Morris. Asked if he had any desire to ever create with his former bandmates, including guitarist Chris DeGarmo, again, he responded: "Well, I think that we had 30 good years, which is phenomenal. Most bands make a couple of records. How many records did GUNS N' ROSES make? Three? [Laughs] We had 30 years of making music, and we gave it a really good run. We had a lot of success. I think we created some really memorable albums, some really memorable songs that will outlive us. And I don't really have a need to go back and try to recapture that with Chris or any of the other guys as well. I feel like it's time to do other things, and to just explore. And we gave that a great run. It was successful. We did great things. It's time to do other things now."
Asked if he keeps in touch with any of his former bandmates at all, Geoff said: "Um, not regularly, not regularly. But sometimes situations arise where we have to sort of deal with each other, and it's not unpleasant now. Enough time has gone by [and] the bridges have mended, I guess."
Regarding whether it is tough for him to keep having to talk about his split with QUEENSRŸCHE more than a decade later, Geoff said: "At first, it was very challenging because we had kind of a bitter breakup, and I guess I was very angry over how it was handled. But then I started looking at the personalities involved and realized, well, it really didn't have any other realistic outcome. It was gonna be what it was. But that was 12 years ago when the band split up. And so a lot of water is under the bridge now and I can be a lot more forgiving of people in their situations. But I've had to talk about it. I keep getting asked questions about it, that kind of thing, 'You ever gonna get the band back together?' that question all the time. And so I've tried to think about how to talk about it in a way that is honest and real for me, but yet not so volatile. 'Cause I could get very volatile about it and point fingers and express blame and I can be very cruel, but it doesn't really serve me to even entertain that idea. I really appreciate what we had and what we did. And I'm happy with that. Very happy."
Back in March 2023, Wilton shot down Tate's claim that the original lineup of QUEENSRŸCHE was offered an "obscene" amount of money for one reunion tour but that "a couple of people in the band turned it down." Michael told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk": "I don't know. I didn't hear about it. I never saw any offers. I know our management never saw any offers. So I have no idea about that."
In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name after being fired in 2012. Fellow original QUEENSRŸCHE members Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform the albums "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Operation: Mindcrime II" in their entirety live.
During a January 2022 appearance on "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Tate was asked if he is hopeful that a QUEENSRŸCHE reunion will happen someday. He responded: "I'm honestly not really expecting that to happen, basically because we've been offered just obscene amounts of money to get back together and do one tour — one tour and we'd never have to tour again. And a couple of people in the band turned it down; they're not interested in doing it. So that would really be, I think, the only motivation that would get everybody together was an obscene amount of money. But that didn't work, so [laughs] there's really no hope for it after that, I think… Money is not the motivator, and getting together for an artistic dream isn't a motivator either, so what do you have? You have nothing. Obviously, both camps are happy in the position they're at. I know for myself, I love my life — I love what I'm doing and I love traveling and playing music for people. And so far, I'm still kicking it, still happy and healthy."
Geoff went on to say that he is fine with the prospect of never returning to QUEENSRŸCHE and continuing to pursue his solo career and other projects for the rest of his time as a performing artist.
"We did hold it together for years and years and years," he said. "It was a really, really tightly run ship and it was very lucrative and we had a lot of great records and did a lot of world touring and made a lot of friends and played a lot of music together. And we had our time, and I'll aways be grateful for that time that we had. That was a time, and it doesn't mean that that time has to go on forever. There's new times to be had and there's more music to be made, there's more songs to be sung and more audiences to play music for."
Tate has gone back and forth on the subject of a reunion with QUEENSRŸCHE, telling The Rock Vault in November 2019 about the possibility of rejoining his former bandmates: "I think that would be something that makes sense, and I think it would be an interesting thing to do, if everybody could get in the same room and actually talk to each other." However, just eight months earlier, he dismissed the chances of a QUEENSRŸCHE reunion, telling Greece's "TV War" that he had "no interest in that. No. Not at all. [I have] absolutely no reason to," he said. "I don't need the money. That'd be the only reason to do it. Maybe if they paid me, like, 10 million dollars or something like that. [Laughs]"
He continued: "It was a good thing for a long time, and then it went really bad. And I just don't want that kind of negativity in my life. My life is so good, and I have such great friends and family. I travel the world and sing songs for a living. I mean, it's lovely. I have wonderful, positive people in my life, and to go back and be in that negative land again… aargh, I just couldn't do it. It's not worth it."
Tate previously described his time in QUEENSRŸCHE as "a strange, strange sort of relationship." He told The Metal Gods Meltdown: "We weren't really friends, you know — we were business associates. We had a wonderful entity that we shared called QUEENSRŸCHE, but it wasn't an equal sort of partnership as far as involvement goes. You know, so there wasn't a real camaraderie amongst everybody in the band… From my perspective and my involvement, it wasn't an emotional sort of brotherhood kind of thing that some people might think existed. That wasn't my reality with them."
In 2021, La Torre told "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" about the chances of Tate's return to QUEENSRŸCHE: "It's funny. I always hear, 'There'll definitely be an all-original lineup reunion. Every band does it.' And I'm thinking, if you knew what I know, I don't think that's gonna happen. And other than the optics of it, why? What's the point? We saw for 15 years what it sounded like."
In October 2021, Rockenfield filed a lawsuit against guitarist Wilton and Jackson, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and wrongful discharge. A few months later, Wilton and Jackson filed a countersuit against Rockenfield, accusing him of abandoning his position as a member of the band and misappropriating the group's assets to his own personal benefit. That dispute has since been settled out of court.
QUEENSRŸCHE has used former KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo for touring and recording purposes since April 2017. | +2 | |
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27 фев 2025
SKUNK ANANSIE Announces New Album 'The Painful Truth'
 British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE will release their seventh studio album, "The Painful Truth", on May 23 via FLG Records. To celebrate the band will be playing a very special headline show on day of release, just outside Bristol.
Alongside the news of the album comes the release of the second single to be taken from it, titled "Cheers". The striking lyric video for the single was created by SKUNK ANANSIE bassist Cass's godson Miles Liverpool.
"The Painful Truth" is a truly mesmerizing, provocative, powerful and emotional album demonstrating a band at the absolute peak of their powers, yet with everything to prove.
"I don't care that we were big in the Nineties," states SKUNK ANANSIE vocalist Skin. "Creatively it's irrelevant because in my rock bible the first commandment states, "If thy rest on them laurels, thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.'"
And for Skin the past counts for nothing. Even when you've been a band for 30 years and history seems on your side. "The Painful Truth" is the sound of SKUNK ANANSIE facing up to who they are and what they want to become. It is more than an album title. It is a reality that they have lived through.
A combination of parenthood, illness, and the departure of their longstanding manager seemed to conspire against them and add to their uncertainty, forcing singer Skin, guitarist Ace, bass player Cass and drummer Mark to question their place in the world as a band, as well as their own personal ambitions. For a while, they came close to calling it a day.
Unsure of what to do, and failing to write on zoom, the four-piece retreated post-Covid to a farmhouse in Devon where amid frank conversations and home-cooked dinners, they slowly began collating their feelings into songs.
"When we write, it's just the four of us in a room with no outside distractions or interference, getting to know each other again," says Skin. "We'd done the 'Greatest Hits' tour and we realized that things needed to change. If we didn't do something fresh and forward thinking, we couldn't really be a band anymore. We'd just be doing SKUNK karaoke."
And "The Painful Truth" is anything but SKUNK karaoke. Produced by David Sitek of TV ON THE RADIO fame, it's a fresh, frank, uplifting and textured album, with the band's knack for writing big pop songs remaining defiantly undiminished. If anything, their hooks this time around are sharper and sink in quicker.
First single "An Artist Is An Artist" is proof of that; a witty, provocative, pulsating slice of spiky, new-wave brilliance it has been greeted with a rapturous reception from fans and media alike, proving a radio smash with playlists on BBC 6 Music, Kerrang! Radio, Planet Rock and Absolute alongside being championed by Jo Whiley on Radio 2. And brand new single "Cheers", which rides along on a deeply infectious, pulsating rhythm and boasts a truly euphoric chorus, demonstrates once more the sheer quality and ambition of the new album.
"The Painful Truth" is a radical record made for these uncertain times. Their first release on the newly formed FLG Records, and with new management in place, it also comes with a freshness that belies their storied career and previous multi-platinum achievements. It's a record that will see SKUNK ANANSIE reclaim their place as one of the most exciting, visionary and important bands in British music.
"When I really think about it, yes, we have made some good records in our time but it's been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth," confesses Skin. "Understanding that, led us to making what I genuinely think is our greatest record yet."
"The Painful Truth" track listing:
01. An Artist Is An Artist
02. This Is Not Your Life
03. Shame
04. Lost And Found
05. Cheers
06. Shoulda Been You
07. Animal
08. Fell In Love With A Girl
09. My Greatest Moment
10. Meltdown
SKUNK ANANSIE commences its European headline tour in Portugal on February 28 and continues through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium before ending in the U.K. with 15 shows. They have also recently been announced as special guests at the two outdoor SMASHING PUMPKINS shows in August.
SKUNK ANANSIE, formed in 1994 in London, is a seminal band, one of the first multi-racial British rock bands, who are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.
Their debut album "Paranoid & Sunburnt" (1995),and its follow-up "Stoosh" (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the U.K. and with hits like "Weak" and "Hedonism", they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade out in style by releasing their third studio album, "Post Orgasmic Chill" and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.
The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums — 2010's "Wonderlustre", 2012's "Black Traffic" and 2015's "Anarchytecture". In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with "25LIVE@25", a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.
Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE has sold over five million records globally. The band's international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent.
SKUNK ANANSIE is celebrated for addressing political and social issues through their music and breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.
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27 фев 2025
Watch: THREE DAYS GRACE Plays First Full Show With Singer ADAM GONTIER In 12 Years
 Canadian rockers THREE DAYS GRACE played their first full show with singer Adam Gontier in 12 years last night (Tuesday, February 25) as the support act for DISTURBED on the U.S. leg of "The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour" at Ford Idaho Center Arena in Nampa, Idaho. The 46-year-old musician, who left THREE DAYS GRACE in 2013, is sharing lead vocals in the band's new lineup with singer Matt Walst, who has fronted THREE DAYS GRACE for more than a decade.
The setlist for THREE DAYS GRACE' concert was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Animal I Have Become
02. So Called Life
03. Break
04. Home
05. The Mountain
06. Chalk Outline
07. Mayday (live debut)
08. I Hate Everything About You
09. The Good Life
10. Painkiller
11. Never Too Late
12. Riot
Last November, THREE DAYS GRACE released "Mayday", the band's first single since the return of Gontier.
In a recent interview with Nik Nocturnal, Adam was asked how it feels to be back in THREE DAYS GRACE after such a long absence. He responded: "Well, I think more excitement than anything, man. 'Cause it's just been so long. And it just felt like the right time — it felt like the right time for everybody. So, yeah, just excitement and kind of ready to go."
He continued: "It took a little while to connect with the guys and do a couple shows together, a couple things, but, yeah — just more excitement than anything, and definitely some nostalgia, obviously. But, yeah, I think everybody's really, really excited about this next chapter. It's gonna be quite the year, I think."
Regarding the prospect of sharing lead vocals with Matt in THREE DAYS GRACE's new lineup, Adam said: "Yeah, I was just talking with somebody about that. We got sort of — not lucky, but our voices do blend really well together. And we've noticed it obviously way more now with making the record and recording and all this stuff that, yeah, our voices really blend well. Yeah, so we're fortunate for that, that it's working out the way we had hoped."
Gontier added: "It's been great, man. It's cool. Matt grew up with the band. He's Brad's [Walst, THREE DAYS GRACE bassist] little brother, and I knew Matt from when he was just a little guy. So I think for them it was a natural fit to get him to take my spot there. And, yeah, now [we're just, like] — let's do it together."
Asked how he and Matt delegate the vocal responsibilities on THREE DAYS GRACE's new material, including "Mayday", Adam said: "Yeah, that's what we've been doing. I mean, we're all sort of writing the new stuff together, so we've been sitting in a room together, coming up with all this material and stuff… We're in a room together and coming up with all that stuff… But yeah, I think the recording of vocals, who's gonna sing what and where, it's come pretty natural. There's certain parts that we both now know, like, 'It might make more sense for me to sing this part or you to sing this part.' And at the same time, working with a couple of different producers on stuff, we did get some guys that would have some good input and just a good idea of what to do with two singers, 'cause it hasn't really been done before — not in this world. So we wanna make sure we're doing it right. So getting an outside point of view from a producer or something to put his two cents on where the guys should go and that sort of thing, that's helped out a lot too. But, yeah, in general, it's been pretty seamless. The whole thing has been really easy to navigate through."
"Mayday" was produced by Zakk Cervini and Dan Lancaster with vocal production by Howard Benson. In addition, the band released an epic CiRCUS HEaD-directed visual to accompany the track which can be found below.
In a December 2024 interview with "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, Adam was asked if "Mayday" is a good representation of the material that will eventually appear on THREE DAYS GRACE's next studio album. He responded: "I think it's pretty close. Yeah, we've been doing a lot of writing and we've got lots of songs done and we're pretty close to finishing an album.
"I think it was pretty important for us to sort of get some elements in these songs that were super classic THREE DAYS GRACE with some newer elements as well," he explained. "So I think 'Mayday' is a good representation of that. It's a pretty heavy song, but it's got everything else that we wanted to have in there. So, yeah, I think it's pretty close."
Asked if there was ever any doubt "Mayday" would be the first song to introduce this iteration of the band, Matt said: "We found with 'Mayday' — we listened to, obviously, our ideas and our songs a lot, and with 'Mayday', we kind of all found we never got sick of it. Personally, too, I listened to it over and over again, and I didn't get sick of it. And it takes you on this kind of journey throughout it, and it's not super predictable. And, yeah, [we] just found it was fresh."
Matt also talked about how the idea for having two singers in THREE DAYS GRACE came about. He said: "I think one day I just talked to my brother Brad about it and was, like, 'It'd be sick if Adam came back. And we could both sing, and I can sing the songs of the past 10 years and Adam can even sing a few of those too.' And yeah, it just seems like a new life to breathe into THREE DAYS GRACE and to make it exciting, like the early days or just to freshen it up and, yeah, make it exciting."
In November, THREE DAYS GRACE drummer Neil Sanderson told 100.3 The X Rocks about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's next LP: "We're feeling pretty good because the [new THREE DAYS GRACE full-length] record's almost done. We've got stuff that we still need to record, but we're kind of in a position where if a new song comes along and it beats out one of the songs that we have, then cool. So, that's relieved a bit of pressure. It's not like we're sitting here with a single coming out and we don't have a record ready. It's pretty well ready to go. But waking it up every day, and, 'Okay, what's the task at hand?' If you look at it, like, 'Oh my God. We're going on a world tour next year. We've gotta finish the record right now. We need to figure out everything for what's going to happen live and rehearsals, then it kind of gets a little freaky, but we wake up and go, 'Okay, what can we do today? Let's do something,' whether that's… We're working on some video components for the show and we've got some new songs that we're excited about and just picking away at everything. We don't take weekends off and we might have to skip Christmas. But other than that… [Laughs]"
Asked if he and his THREE DAYS GRACE bandmates knew instantly that "Mayday" would be the first single from the new LP, Neil said: "I think the biggest question mark for us was just how it was gonna work with where each singer was gonna go and who was gonna sound sing what. We weren't really sure how that was gonna play out. But once we started just doing it and we were in a studio and we could just, like, 'Hey, try this. Try that,' and they started singing together and then they started working as two vocalists to map out how things make sense and are meaningful with who sings what where, once we realized that that was gonna be organic in nature and just it made sense and it created a new depth for this band, especially after 22 years of being out, that was when we kind of let go of the wheel in a way. In a way, we just kind of, 'Let's let it happen.' And so most of the songs were like that, where the guys kind of had a plan on where everything, how the puzzle pieces were gonna fit together."
Regarding what was different about the recording process this time around, Sanderson said: "Well, I definitely will say that we've kind of really leaned into being able to record and to collaborate remotely. And I think we got trained on that during COVID. And there's a lot of new studio technologies that it literally feels like you're in the same room together and you're recording together even though you're thousands of miles apart. So that was a big one.
"We put out a record called 'Explosions' just after COVID," he continued. "So that record was pretty well, almost exclusively done remotely. So we had that tool on our belt. And then I think when it was the notion that, just leaning into the fact that Matt and Adam just have really unique voices in their own right. And let's kind of hone in on those strengths and they don't need to sound like each other. I make the PINK FLOYD reference. Sometimes Roger Waters kind of has that frantic energy when he sings, and [David] Gilmour kind of has a bit more of a crooner kind of [delivery]. A lot of the time Gilmour would sing about stuff, like, 'Hey, everything's gonna be okay,' and then Waters would come in and be, like, 'Ah, no, it's not. And so that realization, that we can do that, and that creates the new level instead of trying to sound like each other or make it one thing, that was really freeing. It was really freeing in the studio to be able to know that we could do that."
In a separate interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, Neil stated about Adam's return to THREE DAYS GRACE: "We had been talking and we've kept in touch. And the band was just talking about, like, how great would this be for us and for the fans and for the nostalgia of THREE DAYS GRACE. And then he got up on stage with us [for a guest appearance], and then we just thought, 'Let's make something new. Let's sit down and write a song.' And once we kind of got into that songwriting process, it just felt really natural and it felt right. And I think for the fans, we're giving them something that we haven't done before and hasn't really been done much in the past."
He continued: "At the end of the day, THREE DAYS GRACE, we're family. In fact, as you may know, Matt, one of our singers, is Brad's brother. And he kind of grew up around THREE DAYS GRACE and then slipped into the position. But we're really guitar heavy — we've got a lot of guitars going on and stuff — and those guys [Adam and Matt] both play guitar. So it's gonna be great to have another guitar on stage, too, as well as two singers. So it opens up the door for us to do a lot of things that we might not have been able to do before."
On the topic of the "Mayday" video, Neil said: "It was a really fun video to make. It was kind of especially cool for me because very rarely as a drummer do you get to make a video where you don't have to fake playing drums all day. [Laughs] And so, yeah, complete melee goes on on the plane. And it's kind of an analogy to just feeling like we're hurling through life at warp speed, and sometimes it doesn't feel like there is a pilot that's in control of things. But it's also a bit of a celebration, like, 'Hey, if we're going down, we're all going down together.'"
THREE DAYS GRACE teased a reunion with Gontier less than five months ago by posting a voicemail message in which Adam told Matt that he would "be at the studio soon, if you can just let everybody know."
Gontier said about his return to THREE DAYS GRACE: "I feel like it's been seamless, better than we were expecting. It's like we got back in a room together and picked up where we left off. We have been friends for so long, it's kind of natural to get back in the room together."
Walst added: "It's been so much fun and inspiring making this record. Combining over 20 years of THREE DAYS GRACE and doing something that no band has ever done. I'm excited for the fans to hear it!"
In April 2023, Gontier reunited with THREE DAYS GRACE onstage during the band's concert in Huntsville, Alabama. Gontier rejoined his former bandmates when they opened for SHINEDOWN at the Probst Arena At The Von Braun Center to perform two classic songs from THREE DAYS GRACE's 2006 album "One-X": "Never Too Late" and "Riot".
THREE DAYS GRACE later shared a post-performance photo with Gontier on social media and wrote in an accompanying message: "Soooo we did a thing."
In July 2022, Gontier said that a reunion with his former bandmates was "likely" to happen "down the road at some point." The Canadian-born musician made his comments just a couple of weeks after he, Brad and Matt were inducted into the Norwood District High School Hall Of Honor in Norwood, Ontario.
Asked in an interview with Rock Feed if he would be open to working with THREE DAYS GRACE again now that he appears to be on good terms with his former bandmates, Gontier said: "You know what? Yeah. I mean, for sure. We've all grown up. It's been a while. There's no hard feelings or anything like that. We're all in touch now and we talk and text and stuff. We haven't really talked about doing anything — not yet anyway — but I feel like something like that is most likely down the road at some point," he added.
When interviewer Brian Storm noted that Adam's reunion with THREE DAYS GRACE would be a "big" deal, Gontier said, "And it would be a lot of fun." Storm then reiterated that the reunion would be "very big," to which Adam said: "Probably would be. You never know, man. We haven't really talked about it. But, yeah, I guess we'll see."
Earlier in July 2022, Brad Walst spoke about reconnecting with Gontier at the Norwood District High School event in an interview with Tommy Carroll of the 97.9 WGRD radio station. He said: "It's funny 'cause the high school's been calling us for years. And, obviously, we've all had kind of different schedules, and Adam's been doing his thing and we've been doing our thing. And until recently, to be honest, we hadn't really spoken that much — we'd text and stuff. But Adam's moved back to the area, and he's got a great family and a great wife. And we've all kind of been chatting and hanging out. Yeah, I called him and just said, 'They want the three of us' — they want Matt, Adam and myself. And everyone agreed, and it was, like, 'Okay, let's do this.' So it was pretty cool to see [our] high school, where you grew up… It's nice to be acknowledged."
He continued: "It's funny, 'cause I texted Adam, 'You made the Hall Of Fame.' He's, like, 'Yup. Straight-B student.' [Laughs] But I think just having us together in that room was way more powerful, for sure. So it was a pretty cool feeling."
In 1992, Gontier, Brad Walst, Phil Crowe, Neil Sanderson and Joe Grant formed GROUNDSWELL while most of the members were still in high school. That band broke up in 1995, but two years later Gontier, Sanderson and Walst reformed as THREE DAYS GRACE. Gontier left the band in 2013 and was replaced by Matt, the vocalist from another Norwood band, MY DARKEST DAYS.
In a 2007 interview with The Oklahoman, Gontier said that he met some of his first bandmates while they were freshmen at Norwood District High School.
"I ended up hooking up with Brad because we had the same love of music," Gontier said. "He didn't play anything at the time. I suggested him getting a bass, and he did."
Gontier said that Canadian bands, including THE TRAGICALLY HIP and OUR LADY PEACE were early influences, along with the Seattle rock scene, particularly the group SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE.
Gontier initially went into rehab in 2005 in Toronto after admitting an addiction to Oxycontin. The rehab stint influenced some material which would appear on THREE DAYS GRACE's "One-X" album, including the songs "Pain" and "Over And Over".
Gontier left THREE DAYS GRACE in the spring of 2013. At the time, the Canadian rockers cited unspecified "health issues" when his departure was announced. Adam later released a statement explaining he exited THREE DAYS GRACE to pursue new projects, and not to deal with addiction.
Gontier is currently a member of SAINT ASONIA, which also features STAIND guitarist/founding member Mike Mushok. The quartet is rounded out by Cale Gontier (bass) and Cody Watkins (drums).
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27 фев 2025
BUSH Frontman GAVIN ROSSDALE's Advice To New Bands: 'Know Your Craft'
 In a new interview with Much, BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale was asked how he would go about starting his music career today, if he had to do it. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Two of my kids are really into music and singing and playing. And where that's gonna take them, I don't know. But it's just so rough because, yeah, what do you do?
"I think the most important thing always for me, the first thing, is to know your craft," he continued. "So whatever it is you're selling, whatever it is you're trying to promote, you know what you're doing. Secondly would be something terrible — not terrible, but you have to create your own environment, your own happening. So if I was exactly starting now, I would play my friends' parties. I would play local friends' parties, sort of things [where] they put on little events and get a whole vibe going, because people just want you to be ready-made now. And so that comes from having little cool clips of stuff happening. So anyone in a band should just try and play at their friends' houses when they have parties and get that footage and make it crazy, like you're starting a movement. Thirdly, it would be to try and do shows, so that it kind of connects to the first point. You're just good on stage. You've gotta know your instrument, your voice or your guitars or whatever, and then some kind of happening about yourself and then taking it out to go play clubs. But it's just so expensive. I mean, I don't know how people do it. And it worries me. I feel bad for people trying to get that done now. It was a needle in a haystack when I began. Now it's a needle in a million haystacks. And the hardest thing is not — 'cause you can get a track that gets going like a TikTok thing and you can get a viral moment, but the exact kind of definition of that is, 'Yeah. And then next week there's somebody else doing that.' So you're out on a limb. So points one and three, which [are] about your own control of your own things is the most important thing, I think — being great. And then the middle one is get a vibe going, whatever that means."
BUSH recently completed work on a new studio album, "I Beat Loneliness", due later in the year.
Last month, Rossdale told Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada's 104.9 The Wolf radio station about "I Beat Loneliness": "I'm so thrilled about the record. It's successful to me because I'm really proud of it. And I think that people who like the band will be really, really into it and we might get some new fans as well. But it's good to feel fulfilled by when you make a record, and not, like, 'Oh, man. I should've done this, should've done that.' I think it's really good."
2024 marked the 30th anniversary of the release of BUSH's six-times-platinum debut album, "Sixteen Stone".
Last summer, BUSH celebrated its 30th anniversary with an extensive North American headline tour. The "Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour" kicked off on July 26 in Bend, Oregon and included shows at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Most of the dates were produced by Live Nation. Jerry Cantrell and CANDLEBOX were the special guests on all dates.
BUSH released "Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023" in November 2023 via Round Hill Records. The set included a new song called "Nowhere To Go But Everywhere", which was written by Gavin and produced by Rossdale and Corey Britz.
With over 24 million records sold, one billion streams and a procession of No. 1 singles, the band — comprising Rossdale, Chris Traynor (guitar),Corey Britz (bass) and Nik Hughes (drums) — stand tall as rock outliers whose imprint only widens as the years pass. "Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023" (Round Hill Records),their first-ever greatest-hits collection, provides an expansive view of their incredible legacy with 21 tracks spanning nearly 30 years — from their breakthrough hit "Everything's Zen" to the aforementioned "Nowhere To Go But Everywhere".
"Loaded" included iconic hits from each of BUSH's nine studio albums as well as "Mouth" (The Stingray Mix) from the 1997 remix album "Deconstructed" and a cover of THE BEATLES' "Come Together" that saw a very limited release in 2012.
BUSH broke up in 2002 but reformed in 2010, and has since released five albums: "The Sea of Memories" (2011),"Man On The Run" (2014),"Black And White Rainbows" (2017) and the aforementioned "The Kingdom" and "The Art Of Survival".
"Black And White Rainbows" was crafted after Rossdale went through a divorce with pop star/reality TV judge Gwen Stefani in 2015.
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Pink Floyd
