Did you see that Beaver Moon over the weekend? (That’s what the Nov 4th full moon is called, I didn’t name it.) It was so awesome, right? And this shot has a particular significance for all the victims of the Sutherland Springs, TX shooting yesterday. These awful events are just starting to make us feel numb.
Speaking of feeling numb, Linkin Park co-vocalist Mike Shinoda has shared more memories of late lead singer Chester Bennington in an interview with Kerrang!, going as far as to compare Bennington to legendary frontmen like Queen‘s Freddie Mercury, Metallica‘s James Hetfield and Depeche Mode‘s Dave Gahan.
Shinoda explained, “He was inspired by a wide range of singers at different points in his life, people like Dave Gahan, James Hetfield and Freddie Mercury. I would occasionally remind him that he was in that category, but he never agreed with me. He never acknowledged that he was, but in the past few months, dozens of artists have reached out publicly and privately to let us know what an inspiration Chester and the band have been. We’re just so very grateful.”
Shinoda added Bennington was humble about his own talent, saying, “It was funny, because he was the kind of guy that when you would compliment his voice, especially early on, he would look away. He would deny it, or he would make a self-deprecating comment.”
Shinoda also recalled a moment when the band was recording its debut album, 2000’s Hybrid Theory, and a record label exec suggested privately to Bennington he take over the band and fire Shinoda. Bennington informed the rest of the group after the meeting that he told the exec to “go f**k himself.” Shinoda continued, “A lot of people would have been tempted! We had nothing. We had a record deal that hinged entirely on whether or not our A&R liked the album we were making, and he just told the guy to go f**k himself.”
Linkin Park has not officially announced whether the band will carry on without Bennington, who took his own life on Jul 20th. (Thanks The Pulse Of Radio and NME.)
In another related story, Linkin Park has released an interview the band filmed roughly two months before Chester Bennington took his own life, in which they discuss their non-profit work with charities. The band issued a statement accompanying the video about the new One More Light Fund, saying, “The One More Light Fund supports Chester‘s favorite Music for Relief program by bringing solar suitcases — solar electricity kits — to hospitals and health clinics without electricity. The fund will also shine a light on mental health; supporting individuals and families coping with mental and emotional struggles.”
In a related story, Korn frontman Jonathan Davis has also paid tribute to Chester Bennington, saying in a new interview with Kerrang! he “loved” the late Linkin Park singer. Davis explained, “I understand depression and everything (Bennington) was going through. It’s always the seemingly happy, sweetest ones that are hurting the most. It’s a terrible disease that can make things feel unbearable. When I found out what had happened, I didn’t even have the words.”
Davis added, “I loved his smile. I always looked forward to seeing him. If we were playing at a festival together, he’d make a point to come and find me, which I always appreciated. Chester’s was an amazing journey to watch. I loved that kid.”
As we know, Bennington died on Jul 20th after committing suicide at the age of 41. He had been open with the press and public about his struggles with depression, drugs and alcohol, which landed him in rehab twice around 2006.
Davis has been equally open about his own battles with depression and even said that the title of Korn’s last album, The Serenity Of Suffering, he told hardDriveRadio, “I feel like sometimes I’m in that place so much, I feel serenity when I’m there. That’s where I feel comfortable, when I’m down. And I think people who have ever battled depression and stuff like that, it’s not enjoyable, but that kind of feeling you can relate to.“
Davis was one of a number of artists who joined Linkin Park onstage to pay tribute to Bennington with an emotional three-hour show on Oct 27th at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Rock Feed reporting via The Pulse Of Radio, Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Zoltan Bathory is getting into the management business: he’s started handling the career of a new group called Bad Wolves who have just signed to Eleven Seven Music, home of acts like Papa Roach and Hellyeah. Bathory said about the band, “I knew these guys for many years from their previous bands so I knew they were all exceptional musicians, but when they formed Bad Wolves and played me the first few songs I thought . . . there is fire here, this one has the magical combination. Hard work and persistence always outstrip talent, and these guys have both.“
Bad Wolves’ lead vocalist is Tommy Vext, who filled in for Five Finger Death Punch frontman Ivan Moody at several shows in the past year while Moody was dealing with alcohol and substance abuse issues.
Five Finger Death Punch has confirmed a Dec1st release date for its greatest hits collection, A Decade Of Destruction, and has released one of two new tracks included on the album, a song called “Trouble.” The hits collection and an already completed new studio album are part of a deal to settle a legal dispute and close out the band’s contract with its label, Prospect Park. The new studio LP will be released in spring 2018. The band is currently on a European arena tour with In Flames and Of Mice & Men.
The Pulse Of Radio says Deftones bassist Sergio Vega has gotten involved in the efforts to bring more aid to Puerto Rico following the devastation left behind there by Hurricane Maria. Six weeks after the storm hit on Sep 20th, there is still no adequate drinking water or electricity on the island, and thousands have fled, perhaps never to return.
In a video shared by Revolver, Vega says, “I’m personally impacted by this because I have family there, I have a place there, I have friends there, and even if I wasn’t, it’s a humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed.” He continues, “There’s been minimal coverage of the actual extent of the devastation there, there’s been minimal aid from the federal government and that’s something that needs to change as soon as possible.”
Vega adds, “There’s a real lack of fresh water — people don’t have anything to drink. People don’t have electricity. There are elderly people in buildings that are trapped in their apartments because the elevators don’t work. There are hospitals operating in the dark. And people like us can do something.”
Only 30 percent of the island’s 3.4 million residents have had their power restored, and rebuilding efforts are still woefully far behind. Deftones are starting to plan the writing sessions for their ninth studio album, which will follow up 2016’s Gore.
Ozzy Osbourne has announced his final world tour via a press release sent out this morning after five decades. 18,262 days. More than 2,500 shows. That’s a lot of shows!
On his upcoming farewell world tour, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy® winning singer and songwriter–will celebrate more than five decades as a performer (both as a solo artist and as lead singer of Black Sabbath which formed in 1968). This tour, expected to take Ozzy around the world with dates into 2020, will mark the end of global touring for the legendary artist, though he will continue to perform select live shows.
“People keep asking me when I’m retiring,” Ozzy says. “This will be my final world tour, but I can’t say I won’t do some shows here and there.”
The tour will kick off in 2018 with a show in Mexico, before heading to South America for solo shows in three countries. Next up, a six-week European leg of headlining solo dates and festival performances that’s set to launch Friday, Jun 1, 2018 in Moscow, Russia The beloved rock icon will subsequently headline a North American concert tour produced by Live Nation, details of which will be revealed in 2018.
For these dates, Ozzy will be joined by longtime collaborators Zakk Wylde (Guitar), Blasko (Bass), Tommy Clufetos (Drums) and Adam Wakeman (Keyboards). See Road Rage for all the dates announced so far.
Finally today, speaking of Ozzy, WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE in Jacksonville, FL has been announced for April 27-29. The line up is sick!
Friday, April 27: Ozzy Osbourne, Godsmack, Five Finger Death Punch, Halestorm, The Used, Parkway Drive, Underoath, Trivium, Atreyu, Power Trip, Texas Hippie Coalition, ‘68, Palisades, While She Sleeps, Bad Wolves, Them Evils
Saturday, April 28: Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Breaking Benjamin, ??? (to be announced), Hollywood Undead, Killswitch Engage, Black Veil Brides, Asking Alexandria, Sevendust, Pop Evil, Andrew W.K., Avatar, Butcher Babies, Red Sun Rising, Joyous Wolf, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Stick To Your Guns, Palaye Royale, The Wild!
Sunday, April 29: Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Billy Idol, Clutch, Bullet For My Valentine, Thrice, Greta Van Fleet, Baroness, Quicksand, Red Fang, The Sword, The Bronx, Turnstile, The Fever, Black Foxxes, Fireball Ministry, Spirit Animal
Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville tickets, VIP packages, as well as hotel and camping options are on sale now at www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com.
Happy 53 to Corey Glover of Living Colour! Check out their latest album, Shade, out now!
