The Number Twelve Looks Finished
American metalcore band The Number Twelve Looks Like You have announced that they will disband after a farewell show early next year.
Guitarist Alexis G Pareja issued a statement regarding the split in which he cited “many ongoing issues” and “the slow deteriorating of the band over the years” for the split. Their final show will be on January 29 at School of Rock East in New Jersey.
The Number 12 Looks Like You courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenmurphy/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
‘Big Four’ Back Together At Last
Sonisphere Festival has confirmed that they bring the big four of thrash metal together in 2010. Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth will play on the same stage on June 16th in Poland.
Expectation for this has been building since the mid ’80s, the last time they played together.
Gallows cancel dates
Gallows have been forced to cancel three English dates after guitarist Steph Carter fell ill.
The band scrapped gigs planned at the Watford Coliseum (December 17), London Village Underground (December 18) and Newcastle Legends (December 22). Steph has been told not to play any more shows for the remainder of the year. The band has said they will “come back better and stronger than ever in 2010.”
Frusciante flies the coop
After 16 years with Red Hot Chili Peppers, guitarist John Frusciante has announced that he will be leaving the band.
In a statement on his website he said “Over the last 12 years, I have changed, as a person and artist, to such a degree that to do further work along the lines I did with the band would be to go against my own nature.” It seems now Frusciante will be working on solo material for release in the new year.
After seeing how big a deal Mayhem‘s destruction of a hotel room was, I wondered about the state of rock-star excess in the present-day. Everybody knows the cliche of the whisky swilling, drug-taking, unwashed rockstar but what state is it in today?
Bonham’s Binges
It all began back in the days of Led Zeppelin and their legendary over-indulgence. As ‘the biggest band in the world’ they had access to an almost unlimited supply of alcohol and drugs; they exploited this for all it was worth. Most notorious of all was the demise of their drummer, John Bonham.
On 25 September 1980, Bonham was picked up by assistant Rex King to attend band rehearsal. During the trip he asked to stop for ‘breakfast’. At this point he purchased four quadruple shots of vodka (roughly half a bottle) and a ham roll.
He downed these and continued on to the studio for a day of more heavy drinking, ending up in Jimmy Page’s home. The following afternoon he was found dead, having choked on his own vomit.
Evolution of Slash
The tradition of over-indulgence continued throughout the ’80s with Guns ‘n’ Roses’ guitarist Slash, who showed that years of drug and alcohol abuse need not lead to an early death.
He spent the best part of his adulthood trying to stay free from sobriety for as long as possible. This included many forays with cocaine and heroin, or ‘speedballing’ as it is known. But despite his hedonistic ways, Slash managed to kick drugs and alcohol and is now a sober family man.
Sober Crusaders
Not only do some rockstars stop their untamed ways; some never start. Straight edge bands subscribe to a lifelong resistance to the allure of alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs of any kind. These relentless adherence to a ‘pure’ lifestyle is not as morally upstanding as it sounds. There is a sub-section of this group known as ‘militant straight-edge’ who take an aggressive approach to anyone that disagrees with their views.
The New Breed
So it seems that the new excess is moderation. But not if Peter Doherty has anything to do with it. Ever since ‘The Libertines’ broke through with their debut album ‘Up The Bracket’, Peter has been using the proceeds to fund an addiction to alcohol and heroin. Over the years he’s been arrested or charged with robbing his best friend’s flat, drug possession and driving without insurance (which is still before the courts). And recently his heart stopped as the result of a bout of blood poisoning. It is refreshing to see that even in these times when musicians are babysat and constantly scrutinised, a bright young kid can send his life off the rails in a haze of drugs and irresponsible decisions. Below are two clips of Peter Doherty, records of his life before and after his debauched years of drugs.
New DEP album forthcoming
Mathcore pioneers Dilinger Escape Plan have announced the release of their latest album Option Paralysis. The album is set to be released on March 23, 2010.
They are releasing through their own label Party Smasher Inc./Season Of Mist. DEP have been a little quiet since 2007 when they released the highly praised Ire Works.
Auction For Chi Cheng
The alternative music scene is binding together in support of Deftones’ bassist Chi Cheng, who remains in a semi-conscious state after a traffic accident in November 2008.
Many items are being auctioned to try to cover the medical expenses outside of his insurance. Acts including Metallica, System of a Down, Blink 182, HIM and Slayer have generously donated their time and equipment in aid of Cheng.
Cheng in better times. Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/luderbrus/ / CC BY 2.0
Fear Before Crewman in Freak Accident
In similar news a crew member of Fear Before (previously known as Fear Before the March of Flames) has suffered some very serious injuries on tour in Australia. After falling through a weak point of a roof, Trent Jacobi toppled around eight metres, his fall broken by a bicycle.
He suffered several fractures in his pelvis, a broken left arm, punctured lung, and three broken ribs. Unfortunately he didn’t have medical insurance, so Fear Before have launched a site on which fans can donate to Trent’s cause.
Mayhem Renovate Hotel Room
Black metallers Mayhem have taken a distinctly rock ‘n’ roll approach to their current tour after trashing their hotel room in Tilburg in The Netherlands. The band and crew were arrested on Monday morning after an employee of the hotel found the mess.
Plants were thrown in the street, mirrors, a sink, television and beds were destroyed in the rampage. The damage bill is estimated to reach 5000 Euros.
Rammstein’s Latest: ‘objectionable’
Rammstein‘s latest album Liebe ist Fur Alle Da has been banned from public display in Germany due to its depiction of sadism and masochism on the controversial cover.
Petra Meier, the deputy president of the Federal Office for the Examination of Media Harmful to Young People, also cited some of the lyrics as objectionable, including: “Bites, kicks, heavy blows, nails, pincers, blunt saws – Tell me what you want.” Consequently the album can no longer be advertised or displayed in open exhibition where it may be accessed by people under 18.
Only Revolutions
Biffy Clyro have offered up their fifth LP in Only Revolutions. Following on from the breakthrough 2007 success Puzzle the Scots have made a definite transition across the musical landscape.
Opening track and recent single ‘The Captain’ gets the boys off to an auspicious beginning. Enough ‘woah-ohs’ to fill half a Kaiser Chiefs album and strings to boot, it’s a definite attention grabber and a sign that the band hasn’t strayed too far from their last album.
Much of the album continues in the vein of Biffy’s new found love for catchy pop-rock, but tracks like ‘Bubbles’ really show where the band are at. It is the essence of a cheesy pop song. Upbeat hook, repetitive chanting chorus and the lyric “She’ll wash away your sins.”
This move isn’t necessarily an evolution of the band, rather the acknowledgement that it is hard to eke out a living in the music industry with compromising some of your values.
This isn’t a bad record, the songs are structured well, the riffs are catchy and Simon Neil’s vocals are on form, but there’s a lack of heart to it. The acoustic refrains in ‘Puzzle’ were both an expression of guilt and grief for the loss of his mother.
In ‘Only Revolutions’ they mean nothing but a foray into the world of mainstream pop.
6 out of 10
Biffy's glory days. Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenboy/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Pick Scrape
This blog intends to open the eyes of the world to the glories of indie, rock and metal. A staple in this mash of lovable genres is the anarchistic pick scrape.
Bucking conventions of tunefulness, melody and good taste, the pick scrape sounds a little something like a plane taking off with a load of puppies being tortured in its cargo hold.
This joyful sound is achieved with five simple ingredients:
1. A guitar pick (or a plectrum, it’s the same f*cking thing)
2. An electric guitar with the appropriate leads
3. A distortion pedal
4. A guitar amplifier
5. A human with a minimum of one hand (an opposable thumb is a must)
So the protocol is as follows: Take the pick between thumb and forefinger and press the outer edge on the top three or four strings at either end of the guitar neck. Make sure distortion is at a ridiculous level.
Run the pick down the guitar neck for as long as you wish,making sure the strings aren’t muted. There you have it. Takes a little practice but you could be the next Gallows or Drive Like Jehu.
Picture courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/piki768/ / CC BY 2.0
Ian Brown Charged
So, Ian Brown (ex Stone Roses) has devised an interesting new technique to promote his latest album My Way. He’s been arrested. Brown, 46, allegedly assaulted his wife, Fabiola Quiroz on Monday morning.
He was bailed and is set to appear in court next month.
Free TCV MP3
Them Crooked Vultures are giving away single Mind Eraser, No Chaser in celebration of All Souls Day. There is absolutely no obligation to buy their album or any other crap… so they’re almost certainly using this ‘giveaway’ as a way to indoctrinate us with the beliefs of the Catholic church. More on this conspiracy once I’ve heard the song…
And another thing, it’s just as bloody well they’re giving something away for free they’re charging over 50 pounds a ticket to their Australian shows.
New Hardcore Supergroup
Burning Empires is a new hardcore punk project initiated by ex-members of Misery Signals, 7 Angels 7 Plagues and Fall Out Boy. They’re heading to Washington DC in December to record an EP to be out early next year.
The members are: Matt Mixon (guitar, 7 Angels 7 Plagues), Stuart Ross (guitar, Misery Signals), Kyle Johnson (bass, Misery Signals), Ryan Morgan (vocals, Misery Signals) and Andy Hurley (drummer, Fall Out Boy).
With the band comprised of an 80-20 ratio of respectable bands to… well Fall Out Boy, things are looking up for Burning Empires.
Maccabees in Africa
The Maccabees played at Malawian festival Lake of Stars. The group was the only act from the UK invited to the event in a clever little ploy to boost the tourist industry of the tiny African country.
New Music From Slash
Slash‘s solo effort is set for imminent release. At Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour, Slash said “I’ve got a couple of songs left to mix and I’ve got one song left to record which I’m doing as soon as I leave here, after I head back tomorrow.”
The LP will be called Slash and it should be pretty f*cking spectacular. Or at least better than Chinese Democracy.
Slash... courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/onemorechris/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
