Back from blistering, unforgiving hot Palm Springs. Let me tell you, the next time someone asks if I want to go to Palm Springs in the summer, the answer is NO! Geez, the heat was overwhelming and despite 45 spf sunscreen, I got sun poisoning and I never even sat out in the sun! We had to walk everywhere and half of the concerts were outdoors from 6-9 PM. Talk about a hair dryer set on ultra high. But the highlights had to be Dead Sara, Beware of Darkness, Taproot, Lit and Art of Dying. Hyro da Hero was also interesting with his rap infused rock. So these are the newer (and no so new) bands you need to watch out for then they come to your town! And the new album from the Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan is also pretty damn cool. If you haven’t liked what he’s done in recent years, try listening to Oceania and you will see he’s redeemed himself. I like “Quasar” and “Panopticon” for starters (and they do start off the album, as a matter of fact.) Billy was the key note speaker at the Sunset Sessions. And our interview went well, so stay tuned for that interview and more in the coming weeks here on hardDriveRadio! (We videoed the interview, so you can see it soon, so be looking for it in the video section (Sites & Sounds) here on the website…..Pulse of Radio reports Godsmack singer Sully Erna has been stricken with an undisclosed illness that forced the band to postpone a number of shows on their current European tour. A statement released by the band said, “Erna has been advised by doctors to not sing for the next five days. Their performance at Luxembourg’s Rock A Field festival; The Bataclan in Paris, France for Saturday the 23rd; and Zurich, Switzerland at Komplex 457 on June 26th will, unfortunately, all be canceled. Information regarding ticket refunds can be found at the box office for each venue.” The nature of Erna’s illness is unknown. (Blabbermouth)…Jane’s Addiction will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, two years after the band was inducted into the city’s Rock Walk. In a statement posted on its Twitter account, the band stated, “We’re incredibly honored to receive a Star on the Walk of Fame! Stay tuned for more exciting news.” The exact date of its induction ceremony has yet to be revealed. Jane’s Addiction will continue its Theatre Of The Escapists tour on August 6th in Cleveland with dates booked into early September….The Offspring will perform tonight (Jun 25th) on ABC-TV’s Jimmy Kimmel Live as part of the show’s summer concert series at its outdoor stage on Hollywood Boulevard. The band will perform its Active and Modern Rock Top 10 single, “Days Go By,” the title track from the punk outfit’s new album. The group’s ninth disc, which comes out tomorrow (Jun 26th), follows up 2008’s Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace….Marilyn Manson has been cast as himself in the sixth season of the Showtime series Californication. Main character Hank Moody, a writer played by David Duchovny, will be penning a rock opera and will apparently turn to Manson for help and advice. Manson’s previous acting appearances include small roles in Lost Highway and Jawbreaker, and he was interviewed in the Michael Moore documentary Bowling For Columbine. (Screencrush)….Stone Sour will release Live at Brighton, a DVD of their show back in 2011 they did at the British venue while on tour with Avenged Sevenfold, to fan club members only. The disc will be provided to new members as part of their one-year membership welcome package, along with a poem from Corey Taylor, autographed memorabilia, plus early access to music and concert tickets. Meanwhile, the band is in the final stages of their next album, “The House of Bones and Gold,” which at this point, will be a double disc set containing 24 tracks…The Black Keys are on a break, but plan to start recording their 8th studio album next month…..Happy 4-0 today to Nickelback’s bassist MIke Kroeger.
