Latest Blogs

Britany Spears : Femme Fatale

Angela Knab — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:24:36 +0000

This is my review of the blu-ray that Britney Spears released of the Toronto stop of her Femme Fatale tour. It is completely biased! Please do not take offense to anything I'm about to say. Lets start by saying what a waste of talent!!! She has a beautiful voice when she uses it. But from the very beginning it felt like a production, and Britney wasn't to be bothered with actually singing the words. It felt "phoned in" or phoney whichever you prefer. I understand there a lot of effects used on her c.d.s to make them more "club friendly" but when you are on stage I want to HEAR what these words mean to YOU. I want to hear that your out of breathe. That's your job. This was a bubble gum show made by a bubble gum girl all sticky and sweet, but only one flavor to a pack. You can chew it for awhile but it loses its flavor and then you just spit it out. Maybe, I'm getting old, no I am getting older and so is she, and I am sorry that Britney shows aren't showing more maturity. She is only thirty, but she has experienced her share and then some of drama and I want that to be what I'm seeing. And I did not.

Every routine for every song differed only slightly from the one before it. Opportunities for some amazing stunts for either her or her dancers were missed. The music was clubby with a lot bass, yet the dancing seamed stiff and uninspired. Britney, herself, seemed afraid she might get broken during certain routines. This, of course, leads to lots of hair tossing and shoulder moving, nothing impressive from the waste down.

The costumes were gourgeous, of course,

and the set design was fabulous.

The dancers had some real moves. During Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know Britney dangled from a swing above the stage while a dancer was swinging below her. He was amazing but his air acrobatics where limited. It is a slow song, the only song she actually sings. This is one of the missed opportunities I saw.

The props were decent lots of cages going up and down during one song. Motorcycles in another. The problem goes back to the songs being overshadowed by stage props. Yet another missed opportunities.

In closing the show really left me with nothing to say about the individual song performances except use that talent you have and stop hiding. I don't know what Britney is scared of, but I wish she would get some help and go back to really performing her songs.

Styles&Complete Release Tour 2011 Webisode #1

Lance Brimmage — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:25:44 +0000

I work with the DJ/Producer duo Styles&Complete out of Charlotte, NC. They recently went on a week long tour and just finished their tour webisode of the first three dates at South Carolina University, Duke and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The song playing in the background of the video is their original track "EPIC". Shout out to Rob Banks as well he knows exactly how to move the crowd! The Tour went really great and the second Webisode featuring the following schools will be out next week! (College of Charleston, East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington)

Here is the video for their 1st Webisode from their "Release Tour":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9trKiiweih0

Here are their other links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stylesandcomplete

Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/stylesandcomplete

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StylesAndComplete

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/stylesncomplete

Thanks for your time and consideration,

Lance Brimmage

East Carolina Party Animals

Styles&Complete

Yakko

eastcarolinapa@hotmail.com

DeadMeat Tour 2012 with Steve Aoki and Datsik

Lance Brimmage — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:15:13 +0000

01/19/12 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre

01/20/12 – Santa Barbara, CA – Earl Warren Showgrounds

01/21/12 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Center

01/22/12 – Chico, CA – Senator

01/23/12 – Reno, NV – Knitting Factory

01/24/12 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex (Grand)

01/26/12 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore

01/27/12 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater

01/28/12 – El Paso, TX – County Coliseum

01/29/12 – San Antonio, TX – Club Rio

01/30/12 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom

01/31/12 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre

02/01/12 – St. Louis, MO – Pageant

02/02/12 – Houston, TX – Verizon Theatre

02/03/12 – Dallas, TX – Palladium

02/04/12 – New Orleans, LA – Sugar Mill

02/06/12 – Tallahassee, FL – The Coliseum

02/07/12 – Charleston, SC – The Music Farm

02/08/12 – Athens, GA – The Bad Manor

02/09/12 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

02/11/12 – Washington, DC – The Fillmore Silver Spring

02/13/12 – Greensboro, NC – Greene St Club

02/14/12 – Wallingford, CT – Dome at Oakdale

02/16/12 – Boston, MA – House of Blues

02/17/12 – New York City, NY – Roseland Ballroom

02/18/12 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Arena

02/19/12 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

02/21/12 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian

02/22/12 – Madison, WI – Orpheum

02/23/12 – Minneapolis, MN – Epic Events Center

02/24/12 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom

02/25/12 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore

02/26/12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Orbit Room

02/29/12 – Albany, NY – Northern Lights

03/01/12 – Ottawa – Civic Center Salon

03/03/12 – Montreal – Metropolis

03/09/12 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Ballroom

03/10/12 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum

03/11/12 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theater

03/13/12 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom

03/14/12 – Sacramento, CA – Estrellita Ballroom

03/16/12 – San Diego, CA – TBA

03/17/12 – Los Angeles, CA – Beyond Wonderland

Adventure Club Tour Dates 2012

Lance Brimmage — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:09:11 +0000

Jan 12
Touch Lounge

Victoria, Canada

Jan 13
Celebrities

Vancouver, Canada

Jan 14
Level Nightclub

Kelowna, Canada

Jan 20
The Breezeway
XW/ Nu Rock, 5K37CH, KSHORT
Saint John, Canada

Feb 01
Abbey Theatre

Durango, CO

Feb 02
Cervantes Ballroom

Denver, CO

Feb 08
WorkPlay Theatre
w/ Big Gigantic
Birmingham, AL

Feb 09
Cannery Ballroom
w/ Big Gigantic
Nashville, TN

Feb 10
Buckhead Theatre
w/ Big Gigantic
Atlanta, GA

Feb 11
Orange Peel
w/ Big Gigantic
Asheville, NC

Feb 12
Jefferson Theater
w/ Big Gigantic
Charlottesville, VA

Feb 14
Westcott Theater
w/ Big Gigantic
Syracuse, NY

Feb 15
Higher Ground
w/ Big Gigantic
South Burlington, VT

Feb 16
Royale
w/ Big Gigantic
Boston, MA

Feb 17
9:30 Club
w/ Big Gigantic
Washington, DC

Feb 18
Electric Ballroom Factory
w/ Big Gigantic
Philadelphia, PA

Feb 19
Webster Hall
w/ Big Gigantic
New York, NY

Skrillex Ft. Krewella - Breathe (Vocal Edit)

Lance Brimmage — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:49:16 +0000

Skrillex, quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the country, is back with another new track. This time he's got some vocals from Chicago based Krewella (Dubstep + Hot Girl Singing). The outcome is one of the coolest Skrillex tracks I've heard in awhile. It's got a more smooth laid back vibe, as opposed to his chaotic heavy style. The soft vocals from Krewella work so well with the track, really completing it. Enjoy!

THIRTY YEARS packed into 6 days

James Brady — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:43:15 +0000

THIRTY YEARS of friends, heroes, riffs, past, present, things borrowed, and things new (four never-heard-before songs from the Death Magnetic daze), all with the family who has been there throughout; YOU.

It was overwhelming for me to observe and be a part of, so godDAMN I don't know how overwhelming it was for the guys…well, maybe I saw glimpses at times during this past week, but let me be clear; sometimes you can be overwhelmed by good stuff, and this was ALL ABOUT THAT SORT OF OVERWHELMING OVERDRIVE…by the way, my thoughts aren't strictly chronological, and I'd imagine yours aren't either because this event was about the total sum of all parts as much as when it all happened…but anyway, back to glorious, delicious waves of overwhelm as observed (and felt) amidst the balloons and coins and confetti and streamers...

…I'll start with James saying to me on Saturday that his head was almost too full 'with all the riffs for tonight' and at the same time saying he literally wanted to pinch himself as Rob Halford belted out a legendary "Rapid Fire" beside him. Then Lars just beaming like a gleeful child at Biff and Sean Harris having a cup of tea at HQ on Monday (and furthermore in awe of the fact that Tatler & Harris were standing not just with him in a photo but with each other, a 12 year drift repaired in the spirit of celebration).

The Mercyful Fate reunion/jam/legendary rifferama/whatever-the-fuck it should be called, just amazing, the guys lost lost LOST in the belly of the riff-snake as it twisted and turned through Fate favorites, King Diamond's heart beating stronger than ever, his voice shattering glasses in the upstairs bar. Lou Reed showing naysayers that yes, he does bring you some punk rock attitude motherfucker! Watching Glenn Danzig (another O.P. - original punk) rocket around the place, mike cord wrapped around his fist like a weapon, ready to beat the living bejaysus out of someone, screaming the Misfits songs that James, Cliff, Lars and Kirk all used to listen to in vans around the world as Cliff ruled the stereo. It was also pretty electric when Tatler and Harris delivered the diamond plated goods thus invigorating our sponsors to child like states...Marianne Faithfull supplying her smoldering smokey melancholy to "...Memory...”

John Marshall, the man Cliff insisted come out from behind the amps on the …Puppets tour when he filled in for Het the first time, riffing with his childhood friend Kirk…fresh from that cuppa at HQ, Biff Byford crashing by to nail the whistles and invoke air guitar memories...old friends like Jerry Cantrell and Bob Rock stepping up (Rock, remember, a fully-vested Metallica BASSIST on St.Anger as well as long-time producer), Gary Rossington coming along on Friday to emphasize his own part in "Tuesday's Gone"…the crispy bleached bonce of Ray Haller sweetly savaging an old favorite was fun, and...oh to see Het's beaming face when John Bush sang "…Horsemen" because as every historian knows, it could've been JB in a five-piece 'Tallica had things worked out a little differently…Kid Rock added his country-fried flare to the proceedings (and also, I personally felt, represented Cliff by wearing giant bellbottoms!)…and what a great thing to see Animal from the Anti-Nowhere League belting out that he's been to Hastings and he's been to Brighton and been to Eastbourne too (thank you, by the way, for the title of our magazine!)...

I have to hail Apocalyptica too, and also giggle at the chaos the electrification of their strings caused, as well as be grateful for the “(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth” which was charmed from Trujillo like a beautiful snake to bridge the waiting ...there was Jim Martin, an old friend, a connection to the earliest days and damn fine guitarist in his Faith No More days, strapping up for the first time in over a decade, and Pepper Keenan, friend and supporter, on hand to make sure he added some further gritty soul (speaking of which, the guys had bumped into a bunch of brass band cats in London called The Soul Rebels Brass Band who opened each night with brassy 'Tallica renditions. Here's a funny thing, those guys are the house band at Pep's bar in New Orleans but nobody knew until FRIDAY!)…oh, and it wasn't so bad seeing a certain Terrance 'Geezer' Butler and Mr. John 'Ozzy' Osbourne step out for a bit of Sabbath was it? Both helped lift the volume, both made everyone wonder where else this could all go, how much higher it could get because let’s face it, Ozzy and Geezer are about as big as it gets…

How KOOL to see the OLD SKOOL in the house too, as Lääz Rockit and Death Angel each played support sets on Friday and Saturday respectively (by the way, how excellent is DA's "Mistress Of Pain" after all these years?) and the Rockits were a wonderful bridge to East Bay thrasher parties of decades since gone...those classically stringed assassins Apocalyptica composed quite a selection too, and Armored Saint threw down some heavy (bassist Joey Vera could’ve been on the four strings in ‘Tallica a long time ago)…

Jim Breuer kept things rolling as the compere extraordinaire, making us laugh and cry (with laughter!), making sure the hair and riff competitions were never so serious as to upset those who lost (let's face it, everyone won, right?), and if you had time to catch a breath, then you'd go and see the fantastic museum set up by Toby & co, complete with EET FUK guitar and white leather jacket (Danish kit monkey anyone? I mean the one on the drums!)…

Cliff. Remembered always. How beautiful that Ray Burton was there on the first night, and how excellent that he told a story which had us all howling with laughter…a slice of Cliff there for sure. But the photo of him on the screen every night, the testimonials, the appreciation…yeah you old zombie-loving chili eating green sauce motherfucker, you'll NEVER be forgotten by the family...

…the family. That’s all of us, all of YOU…and the guys decided that as this was a bash, as this was a party, as this was a FAMILY AFFAIR that family members should come up and play! So take a big bow John Dent for “…Roam”, a rippingly savage “Breadfan” from Andrew Dowis, a crushing “Blitzkrieg” from Joseph Guariglia and a monsterous “Blackened” with Dennis & Annette Diaz…no-one dropped anything other than a new splodge of crazy energy…

How goddamn cool it was to see Jason Newsted. Every night. Laying it down, nailing it down, given the latitude to do so by Rob, enjoying rebirth chemistry with his (always-will-be) brothers…just superb. THIRTY YEARS was every bit as much about making sure sticky areas were wiped clean once and for all with new fresh turf established and relationships rebuilt back to 100%…

…THEY ARE THE ROADCREW and the boys made sure to pay tribute to boys and gals who tirelessly, sleeplessly and fearlessly get the show rolling from Cleveland to Canada and Bangalore to Boston (with a whole slew of countries inbetween) AND there was a warm shout-out for the HQ Club crew too, and Goddamn there’s a TON of work going on in the offices and merch room all the time so how righteous it was for the guys to bring everyone up for a bow…by the way, how about Ron Superfan managing to get some of the barrier? The guys had a specially-made Superfan trophy made from ‘the rail’ material, plus he got a lifetime gold laminate (I want a report on how it works in Moscow or Manchester at a gig)…

I think Lars and Rob told me it was close to 80 songs learned or practiced for these shows. Eighty songs casually rehearsed daily for six months three days a week as the band enjoyed swanning around Northern California on their year off…ha!!!! No, that's close to 80 songs hammered whenever a waking moment presented itself between summer festivals, trips to India, the Middle East, Brazil and albums with Lou Reed. Rob was at HQ until 3:00 am on Thursday night making sure he was nailed for Friday's festivities and this is not a rare occurrence; celebration requires dedication, remember that. And Lars, James, Kirk and Rob sacrificed their zzzz’s like everyone else; these guys get their creative hands dirty along with everyone else, which is WHY these things happen because it really is a TEAM and a FAMILY…which also moves me to say that we all saw the gigs. What we didn't see were the SECOND gigs taking place every afternoon by virtue of sound checks and song checks to make sure that everyone was happy with their part and that things were going to run smoothly…Rob said to me at one point that this sort of thing really needed months and months of work, to which I responded that it sounded like there had been but that crucially, the speed and intensity of it all made the vibe even cooler, more spontaneous-feeling, more like a party.

Hugh Tanner, Het's earliest music buddy, looking both delighted and overwhelmed himself to be at the party, Lloyd Grant absolutely ROARING with his big woolly hat, huge smile and Kool Kat shades, Ron McGovney, such an important early days member and motivator, and (of course) Dave.

Let there be no misunderstanding; I have waited a long, long, LONG time in the hope this could happen. That all the chemistry and all the history could be re-appropriated into a positive place which would allow what needed to happen to happen. I saw Dave walk in to the building, and decided to seek him out. He was in a great place.

And so it was that after I'd said a few words about Cliff, I found myself needing a quiet moment as the sheer weight and emotion of the whole week peaked in my head…and when Dave stepped out to play (with Kirk Hammett giving him the floor space to bust leads) I found my heart dragging my body to the front of the show and into a frenzy with everyone, with you and you and you, because WE were seeing it, the culmination, the circle, the FULL 30 YEAR JOURNEY climaxing in the only way it could but we never thought it would, and I needed to lost my 44 year old body in it, to give in to it, to connect back with what it felt like when I first heard the No Life… demo, when I first got the Kill 'Em All advance, when I realized how much I loved this ‘new’ phenomenon without ever hazarding a guess as to how much a part of my life they would become.

THIRTY YEARS.

Shoved with beautiful, delicious chaos into four shows and six days…with piles of love and little sleep…would they have done it any other way? No. Should they have done it any other way? NO! This was perfect. The party that became a show that became a jam that became a party that became a residency that became a family reunion that became the ultimate celebration...

…it will probably take another THIRTY YEARS to properly process the memories…by which time we can have this party again?

You'd better believe it…

Steffan Chirazi

Steven Adler on a Guns N' Roses Hall of Fame Reunion: 'My Toes Are Crossed!' 'We owe it to the fans to do a tour around the world'

Music Playground — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:36:49 +0000

Over the past 25 years, many bands have put aside years of infighting to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Nobody ever thought that bands like Cream, the Talking Heads, Led Zeppelin and The Police would ever play again, but they all did when they got into the Hall of Fame. Guns N' Roses may be the exception. The original line-up hasn't played together since 1990, and Axl Rose has said vicious things about Slash in recent years. Despite all that, fans are incredibly hopeful they'll put that aside next April in Cleveland. We checked in with former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler to hear his feelings on the induction, and to see if he thinks that a reunion is likely to happen.

Congratulations on the big news.
Dreams do come true.

Tell me your first reaction to hearing it.
Of course, excitement and joy. I always knew it was going to happen, just like when the band first started. I always knew that we were going to be successful and accomplish and succeed at our dreams. There was never a doubt in my mind. When we were recording Appetite For Destruction, we all knew. I've been blessed. I grew up and played and worked and created with the Freddie Mercury, the Jimi Hendrix, the Keith Richards, the John Paul Jones of my generation. I love those guys, no matter what happened. Everything was meant to happen the way it happened. I always knew that we were going to succeed.

You guys got in your first year of eligibility. That's pretty rare these days.
It was such a historical, monumental record. It blows my mind that KISS isn't in there. If it wasn't for KISS, there would be no Guns N' Roses. Bands like that made Guns N' Roses. We were five guys with five personalities and five different influences. The stars were aligned for us.

Getting inducted is a huge deal for me. I just read that Eric Clapton was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice. I went, "Wow, I'm being inducted into the same club as Clapton Is God and the Beatles and Elvis…" It's a honor and a dream come true.

Are you looking forward to the ceremony?
I've been working on my speech for the last three weeks, since I found out we were on the ballot. I've got a tent and a sleeping bag, so I'm going to be there the week before.

Do you think that all five of you will show up?
Absolutely not. But, as far as I know, there is a God and a higher power, and it's possible. Unfortunately, I don't foresee it. You figure that time could heal all wounds, but some people just REALLY hold a crazy grudge.

I think that Axl is cool with you, Duff and Izzy…
He should be cool with Slash! The real shame about the ending of the Guns N' Roses when I got kicked out wasn't just that I got kicked out, but Slash and Axl stopped working together. They are the Keith Richards and the Mick Jagger! The Steven Tyler and Joe Perry! For twenty years, because of some STUPID grudge, which I guarantee you that neither of them could even tell you what it was. They don't even know! I just had lunch with Slash two days ago. He loves Axl. He holds no grudges towards him. Twenty years of great music wasn't created because of some stupid grudge. That's a shame.

It's interesting that Axl was willing to make peace with Duff and Izzy, but he seems to have really held onto his anger towards Slash. He even called him a cancer.
I've been reading his Tweets about all the shows he's been doing in the same states. My brother e-mailed his manager to see if I could come play a song. I had him do it twice, and he has not returned the e-mail. He can't be mad at me!

Didn't you talk to him in Las Vegas a while back?
Seven years ago! But everything was fine. I didn't like that interview he did on That Metal Show. I was very disappointed. He didn't answer one question. I guarantee you – and I could tell by the looks on Eddie and the other guy's faces – that before Axl came out, his manager told those guys, "If you ask him this, if you ask him that, he will stand up and walk out in the middle." I guarantee it. And the questions that that they did ask, he didn't answer. He just started talking about whatever he wanted to. And, he blamed everybody else. He blamed everybody! Who gives a crap? Don't blame people. I was disappointed. I was hoping to hear something better from him.

Then, when he talked about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…that's why I don't think he'll show up. He seemed to have such a grudge! He didn't even answer. Eddie asked him, and he did not give a straight answer. He said, "blah blah blah blah." Then he said something about, "I don't know what they're expecting of me and expecting of the old band." What do you mean what they're expecting? Can't we just be fucking people who played music and accomplished a huge goal in their life and just play a couple songs? It's only rock and roll, my god! It's not rocket science.

Bands tend to reunite at the Rock Hall.
If the Police could do a reunion…One of the biggest jerks I ever met was Sting. If he can do it, then anyone can do it. It's not that big a deal. And the Eagles! They did it! They severely hated each other. It's just rock and roll.

Five old friends playing music shouldn't have to be this complicated.
It shouldn't be. It's nerve-wracking. Thank god I believe in a higher power, because it's nerve-wracking. Especially because whenever I go out, even to the 7-11 or something, someone is going to ask me, "When are you guys going to do a reunion." Look, if it was up to me, we would have done it 20 years ago! People fight, they get angry, they do drugs, and they do crazy things. If you survive and get over it, you're supposed to be able to move on. These are the only wounds that I've ever heard of that can't be healed by time. It's not like anyone has fucked anyone's wife or stole their wife, like the Rolling Stones with Brian Jones and Keith Richards. None of that crap happened.

I think Axl might come and it might happen. This is the one time where it feels possible.
It would mean so much to me if he did. Izzy too. I know that Duff and Slash will show up. They're basically normal human beings. Izzy is a gypsy. He's happy doing his own thing and he lives life to the fullest. Izzy is one of my heroes. I look up to him more than anybody. Steven Tyler and Izzy are the two coolest people that I've ever met or ever wanted to be influenced by. But Axl…it would mean so much to me. I personally just want to finish what I started with those jack-offs. We started off something, let's end the career playing together, at least once. I'd love to do a whole tour of the world. I personally, and I know that Slash and Duff feel the same way, we owe it to the fans to do a tour around the world. We haven't performed for over 20 years and they've stuck by us and believe in us. I get Tweets every day from people around the world saying how much they love the original band.

When it comes to after I left, I do believe that Matt Sorum and Dizzy Reed both have every right to be inducted too. Dizzy did play on Use Your Illusion, and he's been with Axl longer than anybody. He deserves it. Matt Sorum also played on Use Your Illusion. I think that the seven of us deserve it. I was just texting Matt Sorum in Australia. I'm going to play with him at The Roxy next week with Camp Freddy. He invited me to come down and play. He's a great guy.

It's going to be a pretty great night in Cleveland with you guys and the Beasties…
Do they do it in Cleveland? I thought they did it in New York.

It's in Cleveland every third year now. It's going to be at Public Hall.
Look at that! I was born in Cleveland. This is how I get to go back. This is fabulous!

It's you guys and the Beastie Boys, Chili Peppers, Donovan, Laura Nyro, The Faces with Rod Stewart…
Oh, wow! Rod Stewart is going to be there too? Wow. I haven't talked to him since he called me up and yelled at me about his ex-wife (laughs hysterically). I love you Rod.

You know what's really cool about the Chili Peppers being there too? Me and Slash and Flea all went to junior high together. We all grew up in the same neighborhood. We all used to play football in the street and Flea would play trumpet for my grandmother on her porch. It was really cool that me and Slash and Flea recorded a song for Slash's solo album last year. That was really exciting…But this! Three punks from the streets of Hollywood who grew up together and did good.

What do you think the moment will be like when you're standing at the podium accepting the award?
I'll tell you after it happens. But I'll tell you that I've been working on my speech for the past three weeks.

Didn't you just find out yesterday?
Once I heard we were on the ballot, I knew we were going to win. That's one thing with this band, I never had any doubts with it…Expect for when they kicked me out. Then I had doubts. My doubts were confirmed! It wasn't like when Bruce Dickinson joined Iron Maiden. The band didn't get bigger and better. That's what was supposed to happen, but it didn't. You'd figure after that normal people would realize, but I guess that we aren't dealing with normal people.

Was Axl always like this? Back in the day was he easier to deal with?
I think that he's exactly the same. From the Tweets that I read, nothing has changed. Back in the day, he did show up on time. He didn't necessarily stay onstage for that long, but we were on time.

How is your health these days? Are you clean?
My health is wonderful. I work out. I'm working. Playing music. I have a beautiful wife, a nice home, a nice car, I got money in the bank. I got three beautiful dogs that love me. Like I said, I'm blessed. I survived. If you want to know what it was really like being a part of Guns N' Roses from the very beginning, you have to get my book. And Slash's book and Duff's book too. If you put them all together, it's like you are best friends with all three of us. I want to see Izzy's book. I want to know what was going on with him. I was there, but I wasn't always there.

Are you clean right now? Off drugs?
Yeah, I'm clean. I work with Dr. Drew. I work with Dr. Sophie. I work with Bob Forrest. Now I'm very excited. I have something to live for.

Do you see this induction as the highlight of your career?
It is a highlight, but the highlight would really be if the five of us could perform together again. That would be the highlight. Yes, this is very huge. Of course. Eric Clapton, John Lennon…I'm getting inducted. Those are going to be my brothers. But the real thing would be if we could perform together. If Axl and the other guys will consider doing it, it would be a dream come true for me. As I said, I would like to finish what I started with them.

I'm guessing that over the next four months there's going to be endless drama and stories of "will they or won't they." I envision lots of drama coming.
The drama hasn't stopped for 25 years. I don't forsee it stopping, but I know there's love between all five of us. I know there is. Not just four of us, five of us. Five. We owe it to the fans. The LEAST we can do is give them one great performance.

Well, I'm crossing my fingers.
Me and you both. My fingers are crossed. My toes are crossed!

Thought of the day

James Fuchs — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:53:55 +0000

Today I was helping my cousin move his trucks around his garage and I thought to myself, Hmmm if we put this one over here and moved these things to there everything would fit nicely

JD from Korn's current favorite tracks

Music Playground — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:53:33 +0000

JD's Top 5 Electronic Tracks
Wednesday 30 November 2011

Revolver Magazine asks Jonathan Davis to share with us his top five electronic tracks. Here they are:

5. “Warp,” The Bloody Beetroots featuring Steve Aoki
“That’s an electro track, it’s just fucking amazing. It’s, like, Steve screaming in it, it’s kind of hardcore, but it just moves the crowd. When I drop that song, anytime I’m DJing, the crowd goes crazy. It’s a perfect example of really cool fucking electro music.”

4. “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” Skrillex
“I love it, because it’s a mixture of so many different genres of music. It’s fucking dubstep, its electro, it’s everything. I love how he just mixes a bunch of genres together. And when I first heard that song, it blew me away, cause of the big bass, the talking basses, and all this shit. But then it’s got all–what do you call it?–there was, like, melodies and shit going over the top, he’d pitch his voice up and it’s interesting things that he did. I love it.”

3. “Trouble in the West,” KOAN Sound
“It’s some kids, I think they’re from Europe, and they do this kind of dubstep that it’s kind of like southern-rock funk shit. It’s crazy. ‘Trouble in the west,’ I love that song. And it’s not really dubstep-y, it’s drum and bassy, but it feels like southern rock and funk. It’s these two 18-year-old kids. Really fucking cool shit.”

2. “X Rated,” Excision featuring Messinian
“I love that song, it’s fucking heavy. It’s metal, dude. Those guys invented heavy-metal dubstep, hands down. Dubstep, originally, it got named dub because of the dub influences,. It was more regage. And then these kids start taking it and fucking it up. And Excision, and Downlink, and Datsik met on a dubstep forum. They were three kids that were just taking shit and just making it heavy, the bass was heavy and it was aggressive. And Excision said, ‘You guys come to my house and let’s do this shit.’ And he started Rottun Recordings and basically he’s the No. 1 dubstep DJ in North America for that style of dubstep. And the sounds and the production are ridiculous. And that shit, I call ‘heavy-metal dubstep.’”

1. “The Dark Crystal,” Sluggo and Nerd Rage
“I love that movie. ‘Feel the power of the dark crystal!’ And then it just goes all fucking crazy.”