This item is kind of hard to believe, but even a band like Metallica has to worry about money these days. Lead guitarist Kirk Hammett candidly admitted in a new interview with Rolling Stone Metallica has to tour pretty continuously in order to pay for the band’s huge overhead, which includes their own studio, building, salaries for their staff and crew, and their live show production. He explained, “The cycles of taking two years off don’t exist anymore. We were able to do that because we had record royalties coming in consistently. Now you put out an album, and you have a windfall maybe once or twice but not the way it used to be — a check every three months.” Now I can look at my checking account differently!….Blood circulation problems have forced 3 Doors Down co-founder and guitarist Matt Roberts to depart the band for the time being to take care of his health. He will not make the band’s summer tour with ZZ Top. But the band is adamant to say Matt is welcomed back as soon as he’s able and hopefully this is not a permanent issue…..Sevendust are talking about heading into the studio to record their 9th studio album this fall! Meanwhile, guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby have started a new band called Projected with Creed/Alter Bridge drummer Scott Phillips. And we know about Morgan Rose and Clint Lowery‘s new band Call Me No One. Now I wonder if Lajon Witherspoon has something up his sleeve?….The surviving members of the Beastie Boys granted an interview with Rolling Stone about the May 4th passing of Adam MCA Yauch. Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz and Mike Diamond spoke separately to Rolling Stone, with Horovitz saying he is “totally numb,” adding Yauch always thought he would beat the disease. Horovitz said, “He’s been right about most s*** so far. So I believe him. You would get swept up in his excitement and positivity. We recorded a few months ago. It wasn’t any different from before. We spent more time making fart jokes and ordering food, which was true to form.” Horovitz admitted that he was still grieving hard for his friend, saying, “My wife is like, ‘I want to make sure you’re getting it out.’ But then I’m walking the dog and I’ll start crying on the street. It’s pretty f***ing crazy.” Horovitz also said Yauch’s devotion to Buddhism helped him deal with his illness, explaining, “I don’t believe Adam was afraid. Bummed out, yeah. But I can’t think when I ever saw him afraid . . . That gives me peace.” In his interview, Diamond agreed Yauch made everyone believe he would get over his cancer, saying, “He had us fooled in the most beautiful way. I believed, up to last week, that Adam was somehow coming back.” Diamond added, “I wouldn’t trade that optimism for anything, because the other option is no fun.” The Beastie Boys did record some music last fall — Yauch’s final recording sessions — but there’s no word on when or if it will see the light of day. As for making music without Yauch, Diamond said, “I can see making music. I don’t know about a band format. But Yauch would genuinely want us to try whatever crazy thing we wanted but never got around to.” (Thanks Pulse of Radio)….Hard to believe Bob Dylan is 71 today. Have a great day!
