Man, I feel like I need a weekend from my weekend! Left NYC to spend 24 hrs in Chicago early Saturday to see the opening night of the Triple Threat Tour with Seether, Sick Puppies, Kyng and Young Guns. The tour was perfectly named for the top 3 acts, who are all trios. And I believe the tour logo was actually 3 circles entwined. Anyhow, interviewed all the bands and I look forward to sharing them with you on hardDrive and the XL in a couple of weeks. Sick Puppies are still working on new material they hope to have out early in the new year. Emma looked (and sounded) amazing, with her long and newly blond tipped locks. Shim seemed a bit taller to me, or maybe I’m getting shorter. Then Kyng’s Eddie and Tony were behind my mic and we had a good time. They are a couple of funny dudes. Their heaviness added a nice touch to the tour for sure. I loved their story about how it was to have James Hetfield of Metallica introduce them at the Orion Fest. (But Eddie neglected to tell me about how his guitar string busted during their 3rd song in, making for some awkwardness on the Orion stage I’m sure!) And Seether, what can I say? They have just blossomed into being one of the greatest bands and I love spending time with Shaun Morgan. Just wish that guy could be happier. Seems like a small part of him is just sad inside. Given things he’s been through, I understand. But you will hear how he overcame being bullied, as we will be spotlighting Stop A Bully Month in October with stories from some musicians who had to live through it and how they managed to cope and survive. (Hit stopbullying.gov or call 800-273-8255 if you or someone you know is being bullied.) And last, but not least, was Young Guns. They are just the nicest bunch of guys and if you see the show, be sure to hit the merch tables, as they will be there to meet and greet! They put on a great show too! Was cool to see some of the PD’s who carry hardDrive and/or the XL there, including Randy Hawke and Ski of WJJO/Madison, Mark Pennington of WRIF/Detroit and Jim Stone of WXRX/Rockford. And special thanks to Tommy Delaney of ILG and David McGilvray and MJ of Realid and Frank from Wind-Up! A great time was had by all! But then the hotel I stayed at, too many partiers in the hallways, loud motorcycles outside, honking cars, slamming doors and such combined with a too soft mattress and flat pillows. NOT fun! And American Airlines cancelled my flight, and I had to do the mad scramble to find a new flight. Supposed to leave at 1 and get to Laguardia at 4. Then they wanted to send me out at 6:30 to get home at 9:30, to Newark! No thank you! Finally I found a flight to White Plains at 3:30. Home at 6:30. No wonder I’m still tired this morning! LOL Oh and special thanks to John Kuliak and my boyfriend DD for shuttling me around! I love traveling! NOT!…..So excited about some new Deftones music coming Oct 9th. “Tempest” will be the first single from the band’s upcoming seventh album, titled Koi No Yokan. (Great, another album title no one will be able to pronounce!) The CD is scheduled for release on Nov 13th. As for that mysterious title, like Serj Tankian‘s Harakiri, it’s Japanese that basically means love at first sight, but the distinction is that Koi No Yokan specifically refers to the feeling that this love at first sight is one’s destiny, with the who and how and why being, possibly, completely unknown. (Kind of like me and DD! LOL) Other tracks set to be included on the 11-song set are “Poltergeist (Roller Derby),” “Romantic Dreams,” “Leathers,” “Entomb (Dazzle),” “Graphic Nature,” “Rosemary” and “What Happened To You? (Flashback.)” “Leathers” will be issued as a free download on tomorrow (Sep 18th)…..Van Halen bassist Wolfgang Van Halen made his first two appearances as part of Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti‘s solo band last week on the Road to harDrive Live shows in Rhode Island and New York City. This marks the first time Wolfgang has played with anyone outside of his father Eddie, his uncle Alex and singer David Lee Roth. We asked him how he felt about doing these gigs: “It all feels incredible. It’s just, it’s so much fun to be able to do something different, but also do it with three of my best friends in the music business. So it’s like, we’re just four best friends playing awesome music and it’s — I’m just having a great time.” Be listening for the interviews with Mark and Wolfie in a couple of weeks on the air….There’s in studio footage of Sevendust’s Morgan Rose, Vince Hornsby and John Connolly working on their new album over at Blabbermouth. Check it out. Blabbermouth has also posted an interview with Marilyn Manson from a radio station in Little Rock. And we wonder why hardDrive hasn’t had an interview yet. So if you want to listen to that mess, be my guest…..Corey Taylor of Slipknot & Stone Sour and has a new award for his mantle. This one is from Metal Hammer in Germany, their “Legend” Award. I am sure he had some funny quip about that! Looking forward to seeing him at the end of the month at Rock Vegas!….Happy 67th today to Phil Jackson (the “Wizard” of the Lakers) and Happy 61st to Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira!
