Happy Friday! Let’s see what’s going down today in the world of Rock and Roll:
Shinedown has released a new live music video for its anthemic single “Get Up.” The clip consists of a collection of behind-the-scenes moments on tour and live footage from the road that gives an inside look at the effect that the song is having on both the band and its fans.
The chart-topping track has been streamed more than 27 million times and was inspired by frontman Brent Smith watching bassist Eric Bass deal with clinical depression.
“Get Up” appears on Shinedown’s sixth studio LP, Attention Attention, which Bass also produced. It marks the first time that Bass has produced an entire Shinedown album and Smith told us his bandmate was well prepared throughout the process: “Eric never walked into the studio on any given day and didn’t know what he was gonna do. He was never walking around scratching his head. He had a very, very clear focus, we all were on the same page with one another, he welcomed all input at all times. But he always had the big picture in mind.”
The 14-song follow-up to 2015’s Threat To Survival is also Shinedown’s first concept record, telling the story of a character who starts out defeated and slowly overcomes pain and personal struggles and becomes confident at the end. The album also lyrically touches upon Smith’s former drug addiction and Bass’s depression.
Ozzy Osbourne‘s son Jack reported that his father is doing “much better,” three days after the Black Sabbath singer was hospitalized because of flu complications. Jack wrote on Instagram on Thursday (February 7th), “Fresh cut. New glasses. Sunny day. All is well. Now I’m off to see dad. He’s doing much better. Thanks for all your messages).”
Ozzy was admitted to the Keck Hospital of University of Southern California on Monday (February 4th). His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, said that doctors believe “this is the best way to get him on a quicker road to recovery.”
This is Ozzy’s second stay in the hospital. Last October, the metal legend contracted a staph infection that required him to have surgery on his hand and resulted in him canceling several shows. He was also forced to postpone the entire European leg of his “No More Tours 2” run after being diagnosed with a severe upper respiratory infection.
Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi also sent good wishes to Ozzy on Thursday, writing on Twitter, “I’m wishing @OzzyOsbourne a speedy recovery and I know he’ll be gutted that he’s had to cancel part of his tour but I’m sure he’ll be back on stage as soon as he’s able. Get better soon my friend. Lots of love Oz, Tony x.”
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer in early 2012, undergoing treatment during the recording of Sabbath’s 13 album and the subsequent tour. Ozzy told us at the time that Iommi never let his condition slow him down: “My hat goes off to him ’cause he really is Iron Man. I mean, that chemotherapy knocks you sideways, you know. I mean, when my wife had cancer a few years back, she was having three chemo things a month and it would knock the life out of — literally every time she’d have a treatment, she’d have a seizure. It’s scary stuff. But he came down, plugged in and carried on. He’s my hero, I swear to God he is.”
Lamb Of God guitarist Mark Morton said in an interview with Loudwire this week that late Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington was “excited” about singing on something heavy again when the two teamed up for a track on Morton’s new solo LP. Mark has been Lou’s featured artist on hardDrive XL this week, talking about Chester and his upcoming solo album.
Bennington appears on the song “Cross Off” from Morton’s upcoming solo album, Anesthetic. Bennington worked on the song in spring of 2017, just a few months before he hanged himself at his Los Angeles-area home.
Morton explained, “I really didn’t know Chester before we started doing this song. We had a real creative rhythm right away. You can’t really plan on that, you can’t bet on it, you can’t buy it, you can’t fake it. You either vibe with someone or you don’t.”
Morton added, “He didn’t have to be there, he didn’t have to come to record a song with the guitar player from Lamb Of God. He did it because he loved the tune and because he was excited about screaming again and being on something more metal, a little heavier.”
Anesthetic is due out March 1st. Other guest artists on the LP include Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, Alter Bridge‘s Myles Kennedy, Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga, Korn drummer Ray Luzier, Alice In Chains bassist Mike Inez and more.
Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl auctioned off a range of instruments through the Reverb site last October and now the money raised through that effort is going to organizations that encourage children to create music.
The band announced this week that it has teamed up with the Rocksteady Music School for a free initiative which will give children ages five to 16 the chance to learn how to play their favorite Foos tracks — regardless of whether or not they’ve ever played an instrument — in just 30 minutes.
A statement explained, “Rocksteady: Just Play workshops will offer young people across the U.K. the chance to experience the magic, inspiration and challenges that come with learning to play a musical instrument. The events will be open to all, taking place on February 16 in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Northampton, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Guildford, Kingston and Romford.”
Teachers will be on hand to guide the kids through the songs, while all the instruments will be supplied. There will also be drawings for prizes, with kids getting the chance to win T-shirts, albums and signed drumsticks.
