Alice In Chains To Record New Material

14 September, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Alice In Chains (AIC) will be releasing new material for the first time in 13 years. Can you say AWESOME?

For those of you who are scratching your heads right now wondering did I just say AIC is releasing new material, I need to let you know that the band never broke up.

Formed in 1997 by Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell the band became quite popular with two albums becoming #1’s on Billboard 200. The band was a great commerical success and even though started off more metal soon mellowed to a rock that everyone seemed to enjoy. After 1995 the band stopped recording material.

The band never called it quits though, they just paused while lead singer Layne Staley fought the bad battle with his publicly known chemical addiction and dealt with heartbreak.

In 1996 Staley lost his fiancee from bacterial endocarditis and chose to stay alone and cope his loss with drugs. In 1998 Staley recorded two songs with the rest of the band but really never did anything else onward. His addiction took over his like and he even willingly admitted in in many interviews.

Months before his death, Staley admitted in an interview, “I know I’m near death, I did crack and heroin for years. I never wanted to end my life this way” In 2002 the worst, but expected, happened as Staley was found dead in his condominium from an apparent drug overdose.

With Layne Staley’s passing in 2002 I really never thought AIC would put out another release. I figured the band would go their separate ways. I was wrong…

After some time AIC chose to continue.

The remaining members Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, and Sean Kinney played for a benefit concert in 2005 for the tsunami that hit Asia with Damageplan singer Pat Lachman. One year later they appeared on VH1’s Decades Rock Live: Heart with another singer William DuVall, one time singer of Comes With The Fall. AIC hit the road soon after and toured select cities with positive reviews. They rolled through Cleveland and of course I missed it. I know someone who went and he said it was amazing. Go on Matt, rub it in.

Seems like things went well as earlier this year AIC announced they would be recording new material.

I still have yet to see the new AIC live or even hear it for that matter. I never even got to see the old AIC live and they were one of my favorite bands of the 90’s. I am really curious to hear what they have to offer. From what I have heard William DuVall seems to have picked up where Staley had let off.

With new material and the possibility of a tour (I sure hope so) it looks like AIC is making a comeback.

Straight from the band’s website, a band associate named Baldy said:

“October will arrive and Alice In Chains will reconvene to record the new album. So, as 2008, winds down, band activity will be gearing up, and at some point in 2009 you’ll finally hear what I’ve been raving about for the last several months.”

I think Baldy knows something…and I am hoping he is right!

Some videos:

Music, New Release, Punk, Review, Rock

Street Dogs – State Of Grace – CD Review

12 September, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

One of my favorite Irish infused, punk rock bands the Street Dogs dropped yet another release over the summer titled State of Grace. Fronted by the one time lead vocalist of the infamous Dropkick Murphys, this CD delivers powerful punk rock anthems fueled with a traditional Irish feel to it. This is the band’s fourth release and their first under Hellcat Records.

Lead singer Mike McColgan is one of the most American punk rockers you will ever meet. Before fronting the Dropkick Murphys, he served time overseas during the Gulf War to help pay for school. When he returned, he helped start the Dropkick Murphys in 1996 and released Do or Die; it was the only album he released with the band. In 1998 he left the Dropkick Murphys to pursue his dream of becoming a fireman. Fast forward a couple of years later to 2002 and McColgan got the music fever again and started the Street Dogs.

On their fourth full length release the five-some sounds stronger than ever. Album opener “Mean Fist” is impressive with a full on punk rock approach start to finish. “Into The Valley” sounded like an anti-war group marching song insuring escalating spirits for all soldiers involved in this senseless war.

Other stand out songs are “Rebel Song” with McColgan signing his heart out about standing up in a poor nation to rise above. The song reassures the underprivileged that they should continue to do what they do and unite. “The General’s Boombox” continued the high spirit lyrics about staying true to yourself.

“Elizabeth” reminds me of an Irish pub song that everyone in the house could sing-a-long to. Another sing-a-long track “Two Angry Kids” would be best listened to away from the bar as the song makes you want to dance wildly around and pump your fists in the air.

“San Patricios” is by far my favorite track. The Irish meets Mexican song is insane. I loved the Spanish singing and guitar riffs layered with punk rock. The Irish/Mexican unity track recalls back to the times when the Irish teamed with the Mexicans for their fight against the US to save Mexico.

If you are looking for a band that has similarities of the Dropkick Murphys keep in mind that even though McColgan was the original lead vocalist that the Street Dogs take a different approach at Irish punk rock with less bagpipe playing and alcohol inspired tracks. From political views to the love of family and friends this CD was amazing especially the third time I listened to it.

The first listen was an introduction but by the third listen I was hooked. This is one of the better punk rock albums that has been released in 2008. Street Dogs exist because of the love of music for an Irish gent straight out of Boston. If you are looking for punk rock at its finest go out and grab a copy of State of Grace.

Check out the Street Dogs live this fall. For more info visit their website or check out their MySpace.

Live Shows, Metal, Music, Music Video, New Wave, Punk, Random, Rock

Bad Religion @ Cleveland Agora – 1996

11 September, 2008 Brian Mc 2 Comments

Wow did I ever find a gem today on YouTube.

For almost 20 minutes this evening I flashed back to one of my favorite concerts ever 12 years ago. I remember the line up vividly. It was The Gray Race Tour featuring Bad Religion with special guests Unwritten Law and Dance Hall Crashers at the infamous Cleveland Agora.

I was fresh out of high school, reckless, and an avid punk rocker. I went to the show with a big group of friends….we took our friend’s mom’s van that had the worst suspension ever. In fact we had to turn around on route 422 and swap the van out with another friend’s mom’s van.

One thing I recall about that show was there there were cameras all over the place, professional cameras. The cameras were on the balconies of the Agora as well as on the shoulders of cameramen. My friends and I got excited because we were going to be filmed during the performance. We hoped it would be released on VHS (that’s right kids, DVDs did not exist back then).

I owe that tour for introducing SoCal Surf/Skate punk rockers Unwritten Law to me. I am still a fan of them today. During their performance I noticed the cameras were not rolling so we all agreed that the camera were there only for Bad Religion.

When Bad Religion took stage we all went insane. I remember moshing and dancing and just acting like a complete fool. At times I was just falling on people and letting them push me around as I sang at the top of my lungs. I was being a carefree 19 year old and was loving every moment of it. For the record, I was sober too…I got carded when I tried to buy beers….haha.

As the years passed I slowly forgot about that show. Since none of us could ever hunt down that footage of the show we all figured it was lost. A few weeks ago one of my buddies who went to that show with me called me telling me he saw some footage of the show on YouTube. I was in disbelief yet thrilled that it surfaced. Well thanks to my busy like I completely forgot about that phone conversation until today when I logged onto YouTube and looked it up.

Sure enough, it’s Bad Religion at the Cleveland Agora 1996. It was a sold out show. My friends and I were front row slightly to the right of center stage. I laughed when I saw the pit because I know I was a part of it. I remember it so clearly and now you can see what I experienced…

Part I:

Part II:

Other footage:

Funny, Hip Hop, Music, The Dumb

Ohh Kanye

11 September, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Looks like someone had a temper tantrum that they should have held in…

Kanye West and his road manager assulted a TMZ photographer and smashed his camera at the LA International Airport today…

I do not care who you are, you do not smash a $10000 plus camera on the ground. What a jerk.

“Ain’t no police, ya’ll shut up” – wise words spoken by Kanye.

Kanye (in the gray hoodie) was arrested as well as his partner in crime/body guard/road manager, Don Crowley (in the red jacket). Crowly did most of the damage as you can see in the video by slamming a very expensive camera and lens (you could hear it shatter) and Kanye slammed a flash/light source on the ground. Even though Crowly was the one who slammed the camera the both were charged with vandalism and were being held on a $20,000 bond. Crowley then lost it even more when he found out the whole incident was videotaped and tried to rip the camera out of the hands of the owner. The whole ordeal was over Kanye and Crowley demanding that no one was allowed to photograph them outside the airport.

They both were released from jail later in the day after paying bond.

I’ll tell you what, if someone grabbed my camera and slammed it to the ground I would come out swinging. I do not care who you are, how much money you make, or what kind of lifestyle you live….you do not destroy other people’s property.

Why do some music stars have to think they are better than everyone? We breath the same air, you just lucked out with your musical abilities. So people want to take pictures of you and film you. They do it because you are popular and because they like you. If you can not handle the pressure, step down. You make money because of your fans and companies that showcase you for the fans. Kayne West, you dropped a few notches down in my book…spazbite.

Music, Music Video, New Release, Outlaw Country

Not Hank 1 or Hank 2…..it’s all about Hank III

10 September, 2008 Brian Mc 2 Comments

I just saw the new video for “Long Hauls & Close Calls” from the new release by Hank Williams III on YouTube and I can not even tell you how excited I am for the album!!!!

This is the “hellbilly” version. There is also a “Muddin” version that I am sure my brother and his hillbilly friends would enjoy more. I myself prefer this version.

Straight out of Trashville, TN the rebel outlaw of all country outlaws Hank III will be releasing a new album on Oct. 21 called Damn Right, Rebel Proud. Think outlaw county music slammed up with punk rock carefree attitude and that is Hank III for ya. Hank III has made me a bigger fan of outlaw country even though his version is darker and more demeneted.