Video: Trailer For New Butch Walker Documentary “Out Of Focus”

Finally, someone created a documentary about the best songwriter, producer, performer, entertainer, wordsmith, musician out there!  (Of course we’re talking about Butch Walker).  Watch the trailer for the upcoming documentary titled Out Of Focus, set to debut at a film festival in the near future.

Also tune in to catch Butch Walker and the Black Widows on David Letterman on February 17th!

Watch the Out Of Focus Trailer:

Roger Waters Confirms July 1 Fenway Park Show

In what was becoming Boston’s worst kept secret, Roger Waters has finally confirmed his July 1st show at Fenway Park in Boston, MA.

Roger Water’s brings his historic production of “The Wall” to North America in 2012 and the Boston show has just been added. His aural and visual masterpiece of alienation and transformation will be performed in-its-entirety featuring a full band and state-of-the-art production. The 2012 tour will hit Boston’s historic Fenway Park on July 1^st just in time to celebrate the legendary park’s 100th Anniversary.

Tickets for the Fenway show go on sale to the public on Monday, February 20th at 10:00 am EST at etix.com and LiveNation.com or by calling 800-514-3849. TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE FENWAY PARK TICKET OFFICE. 

Contest: Shred Like Eddie Van Halen in “Tattoo” & Win a Guitar

Ever want to shred like Eddie Van Halen? Well now’s your chance to do it and win a guitar from the band.

To celebrate the release of their new album “A Different Kind of Truth” we’ve teamed up with the band to give away a guitar to one lucky fan who makes the most out of the band’s new single ‘Tattoo.”

All you have to do is submit your cover video for a chance to win. Read all the details here.

Not a shredder? No worries, you can still enter the contest to win some Van Halen swag!  Check it out!

Three Minutes With…Dave Rude of Tesla

Three Minutes With…
Dave Rude of Tesla

This guy is living proof of the benefits of social media! While fronting his own band, The Dave Rude Band, he was spotted via Myspace by Frank Hannon of Tesla. The rest, as they say, is history. He became an official member of Tesla in 2006, replacing Tommy Skeoch. We caught up with Dave via phone from the band’s stop in Phoenix, the night before they hit House of Blues in Las Vegas. He passed along the best advice he was ever given, which really could be heeded by anyone, anywhere, anytime… Check it out!

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Be ready! Be ready to take advantage of it when an opportunity arises. A guy I knew back in the Bay Area told me that years ago. At the time, they had just signed this big huge deal with a big major label and you just have to be ready for it – have all your ducks in a row and have everything you need practiced, have songs, have whatever it is. So when that one lucky break happens, you can just grab it!  That was really, really good advice to me. I still tell people when they ask me for advice. It’s kind of how I joined Tesla. It definitely rang really true and is a good piece of advice, and can be applied to any situation.

Speaking of that, even though I know that Wikipedia isn’t always the most accurate source of info, I saw that you got the Tesla gig via MySpace, right?

Yes, I did. It was 2006, and my solo piece The Dave Rude Band had put up a demo. Myspace had only been up for a few months, and Frank Hannon from Tesla just randomly found it. That was kind of my opportunity. He said, ”Hey, you wanna come jam, in like two days from now?” “Yeah! I’ll be there!” “Cool!” And my life was kind of structured for my band to make it, its not like I had some 40-hour a week corporate job. I had my whole life structured so I could just kind of leave. About two weeks after I met Frank, I was on tour with his solo band.

Social media rocks!

Yeah, it totally does!

What is the one thing you can not live without on tour?

You know….I’ll be virtuous and say exercise equipment. Which is true. We are out on a mini-run right now and I forgot to bring it with me so I was working out with a shower towel. I do like to work out a lot. On the last tour I went and bought a tiny set of weights and an exercise mat. Sometimes you get a cool gym or if you have enough time you can go get a day pass at some local actual gym around town but most of the time I end up working out in the dressing room or in the hallway or something.

What is the best rumor you’ve heard about yourself?

You know what? Recently I’d heard from a friend of mine back home in Oakland that I’d been kicked out of Tesla for my “bad attitude”. That’s hilarious, considering that I’d just come home from a tour and me and the guys are like the best of friends. That was pretty funny! I was like “What???”  But you’ve got to consider your sources out there! That was a pretty funny one but I normally don’t hear any rumors about myself, but that one definitely came to mind.

The last one I have is – have you ever had any real-life Spinal Tap moments?

I can’t really recall anything too dramatic offhand, but definitely I have been lost in arenas many times. It’s not really funny, but it’s true. That scene is so true to life, when they have the arrows going around and you still get lost. Nothing truly hilarious that I can think of offhand though. 

And now you can promote whatever you want!

Well, my obvious plug is my band – DaveRudeBand.com. We’ve got videos and stuff up that’s pretty fun. Teslatheband.com too – you can check all that stuff out. We’ve got another acoustic tour in February and end up on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, at the end of February. That should be pretty fun!

 Follow Dave on Twitter: @DaveRude and LIKE his band on Facebook:

Are you or do you know a musician coming through Las Vegas that wants to give the shortest interview ever with probably the shortest interviewer ever? Forward me contact info or put them in touch with me. Do you have a query for the Sack O’ Questions? Email me at ThreeMinWith@yahoo.com. (Sorry, I can not guarantee any question to be asked to anyone specific, because it’s literally the luck of the draw, but if your question gets drawn, you’ll get props – make sure you note how you want to be thanked!)

Follow ME on Twitter: @MouthySmurf.

Killswitch Engage Announce The Return of Jesse Leach

Killswitch Engag have announced that they have filled the singer vacancy in the band and they have done so with a familiar face: original vocalist Jesse Leach.

 

Leach sang on the band’s first self-titled album, which came out in 2000, and on their 2002 Roadrunner debut Alive or Just Breathing. Leach left the band in 2002 and was replaced by Howard Jones. Things have come full circle a decade later, and Leach and the band couldn’t be more pleased about this reunion.

 

The band commented saying, “After much deliberation and careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that Jesse Leach has rejoined Killswitch Engage. Our job was to find the best person to fill Howard’s shoes: a decision based on talent and not familiarity.”

 

The band further said, “Truth be told, Jesse blew us away in auditions. The room seemed charged with electricity. He commanded both new and old material, and proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he wanted to do this. The choice became very clear and apparent. This change is very exciting. We know you’re going to love it. This is truly a new era in KsE history and it is ready to shred your face off. So, please help us in welcoming Jesse back into the KsE family; he is a rare and great talent, a fact that older KsE fans have known for years. Here is to a killer new record and a bright future. The five of us cannot wait to write this record and play shows together and bring that feeling to our fans. It’s been far too long.”

 

The “new” guy himself also commented on his return to the band after a decade-long absence, saying, “It is a great honor to rejoin my brothers after all of these years. After some discussion and much reflection, it was obvious to me this was the path I was meant to take. We got together and jammed on the ‘Howard-era songs,’ as well as some Alive or Just Breathing-era songs and we all felt the synergy.”
He continued, “I look forward to writing the new record, since the demos sound absolutely amazing, as well as breathing new life and getting comfortable with the soulful songs Howard has written. It is a new chapter of my life filled with new and exciting challenges. I will give all that I can to honor the position I have been given and take nothing for granted. I will sing every note with all of my soul. I am very blessed and very thankful to be back in the KsE family! All things happen in their due time and now is the time for this reunion and new direction.”

 

KsE remain hard at work on their latest album, which follows 2009′s second self-titled album. The band will perform at the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest on April 22, 2012. Leach last performed with KsE in March 2010 in New York City, Clifford Park, NY, and Wallingford CT.

 

Puscifer Announce 2012 Tour Dates & Debut “Telling Ghosts” Video

Puscifer has announced a run of 2012 Tour dates kicking off in February. Check them out below.

They also debuted a new video for “Telling Ghosts” from their album Conditions of My Parole. Check it out:

Puscifer 2012 Tour Dates
(Carina Round opens all dates)

February
23 Austin, TX Long Center for the Performing Arts
25 Baton Rouge, LA River Center Theatre
26 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
28 Nashville, TN TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall
29 Louisville, KY Brown Theatre

March
1 Pittsburgh, PA Byham Theatre
3 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theatre
4 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
6 Kansas City, KS Kansas City Music Hall
7 Omaha, NE Omaha Civic Auditorium
10 Edmonton, AB Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
11 Calgary, AB Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
13 Vancouver, BC The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
14 Portland, OR Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
16 San Francisco, CA Palace of Fine Arts
17 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center
18 Escondido, CA California Center for the Arts

2012 Rock on the Range Lineup Announced

The full lineup for this years 2012 Rock on the Range on May 18-20 in Columbus, Ohio  has been released, check it out:

The current lineup for ROCK ON THE RANGE 2012 is as follows: Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon, Theory of a Deadman, Volbeat, Down, The Darkness, Halestorm, Escape The Fate, P.O.D., Lacuna Coil, Adelitas Way, Black Stone Cherry, Cavo, Attack Attack!, Trivium, Bobaflex, Falling In Reverse, Redlight King, Aranda, Emphatic, Otherwise, James Durbin, Black Tide, Kyng, 12 Stones, SOiL, Rival Sons, Eve To Adam, and Ghosts of August.

Tickets for Rock on the Range go on-sale Friday, February 10 at 10:00 AM EST at the festival’s website, Ticketmaster and the Crew Stadium Box Office. Two-day weekend stadium GA tickets once again start at just $99.50 (plus service and transaction fees). A limited number of ROTR pre-sale layaway tickets are also still available through February 29.

EP Review : Sinnet / Midwest Manners

Sinnet
Midwest Manners

Reviewed by: Dorise Gruber Read more

Mastodon & Opeth Confirm Co-Headline “Heritage Hunter” Tour Dates With Ghost

Mastodon have announced a spring North American tour in support of their current album The Hunter, which was released by Reprise Records in September. The co-headlining run will also feature Opeth along with Ghost in the support slot.

The tour kicks off on April 4th in Portland, ME, and visits more than 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada before wrapping up with a hometown show at Atlanta’s Masquerade Music Park on May 12th.

Tickets go on sale February 3rd and 4th. Visit www.mastodonrocks.com for details.  There will be a Fan Presale scheduled to begin at 3pm local venue time on Wednesday, February 1stavailable only at www.mastodonrocks.com 

Check out all the dates below with more to be announced soon:

(M) Indicates Mastodon closes the show
(O) Indicates Opeth closes the show
 
04/04                Portland, ME                 State Theater (M)
04/05                Boston, MA                   Orpheum Theater (O)
04/06                Montreal, QC                 Metropolis (O)
04/07                Toronto, ON                   Sony Centre (O)
04/09                Philadelphia, PA              Electric Factory(M)
04/10                Wallingford, CT              The Dome (M)
04/11                New York, NY                 Roseland Ballroom (M)
04/13                Chicago, IL                    Riviera Theatre(M)
04/14                Grand Rapids, MI            The Intersection       (M)
04/15                Pittsburgh, PA               Stage AE (M)
04/16                Knoxville, TN                 TN Theater (O)
04/18                Oklahoma City, OK          Diamond Ballroom (M)
04/19                Dallas, TX                     Palladium Ballroom (O)
04/20                San Antonio, TX            Back Stage Live (O)
04/21                Corpus Christi, TX          Concrete Street (O)
04/23                Denver, CO                   Fillmore Auditorium (O)
04/25                Las Vegas, NV               House of Blues            (M)
04/26                Los Angeles, CA             Gibson Amphitheatre (O)
04/27                Oakland, CA                  Fox Theatre (O)
04/28                Reno, NV                     Grand Sierra Resort (M)
04/30                Seattle, WA                 The Paramount        (O)
05/01                Vancouver, BC              Orpheum Theatre (O)
05/03                Edmonton, AB               Edmonton Events Center (O)
05/04                Calgary, AB                  MacEwan Hall (M)
05/05                Saskatoon, SK             The Odeon (O)
05/06                Winnipeg, MB               Burton Cummings Theatre (O)
05/09                Washington, DC            The Fillmore (O)
05/10                Charlotte, NC                The Fillmore (M)
05/11                Myrtle Beach, SC            House of Blues            (M)
05/12                Atlanta, GA                   Masquerade Music Park (M)

2012 M3 Rock Festival Line-up Announced

The M3 Festival returns in 2012 on May 11-12 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Check out all the details below.

The heavy metal time machine will turn back to the 1980s and ʻ90s when Queensryche, Cinderella, Ratt, Kix, Warrant and Night Ranger are among the 19 bands to take over Merriweather Post Pavilion, playing full sets of their glam rock and heavy metal hits. For the first time, M3 fans wonʼt have to choose between bands with overlapping set times, since each band will play one at a time. Also, the festival willtake place on two separate stages, each simulcasting the other, giving fans the option to stay in one seat and watch all the bands as they appear on both stages, or fans can move from stage to stage without missing a note.

In its fourth year, I.M.P. Presents M3 Rock Festival starts with The Official M3 Kix-Off Party Friday May 11th at 7pm. Acts playing Friday night include Night Ranger, Kix, Enuff ZʼNuff, In the Pink and Let There Be Rock. The fullblown 2012 M3 Rock Festival begins Saturday, May 12th at 11am and will include Queensryche, Cinderella, Ratt, Skid Row, Warrant, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Stryper, Loudness, Lynch Mob, XYZ, Bang Tango, Drumwars, and Street Light Circus.

Each year VIP and Pavilion seats sell out in minutes. VIP and discounted 2-Day Packages will go on sale Friday, Feb. 3 at 10am EST through Ticketfly. If there are any tickets remaining as of February 24th, they will go on sale as Single-Day tickets at 10 am EST. Tickets can also be purchased at the Merriweather and 9:30 Club Box Offices. For more information, visit http://www.ticketfly.com/ or http://www.m3rockfest.com

VIP ticket holders will have:
• Private VIP Entrance gate
• Official M3 2012 Festival T-shirt
• Official M3 2012 Concert Poster
• Access to floor and prime pavilion seating
• Access to M3 VIP Deck located backstage
• Access to Artist Meet-&-Greet Lounge

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