Archive for November 20th, 2012

James Iha on Smashing Pumpkins Reunion: ‘Never Say Never’

Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images Things haven’t exactly been warm and fuzzy between onetime Smashing Pumpkins bandmates  Billy Corgan and James Iha after the dissolution of the original lineup, but Iha says he’s never one to rule out anything where his old band is concerned. Iha told the Chicago Sun Times that it’s been “eight or nine years” since he spoke with Corgan. During that period, there have been a few occasions for the singer to lambaste him publicly. But even with the animosity, Iha says he still gets questions about a potential reunion someday. To that constantly-asked question, he says, “Never say never, but as I said, we haven’t talked in a really long time. I haven’t heard the new [Pumpkins] record.” While Corgan remains the only original member in the Pumpkins, these days Iha is putting the emphasis on his own music. Iha returned earlier this year with the new album ‘Look to the Sky,’ which was his first new release since his 1998 solo debut ‘Let It Come Down.’ Speaking about the lengthy delay between his solo records, the guitarist says, “After the Pumpkins broke up, I got into the other side of this, producing and writing and starting my studio, and the record label. I did a lot of other things for a while, and it wasn’t until three or four years ago that I started getting inspired to do my own thing again. When you’re not signed and don’t have a manager constantly asking for a record, I took my time.” Iha has also been busy with numerous side projects. He says he expects a second Tinted Windows album to arrive someday, but none of the members have written material for it yet. The guitarist also lent his skills to a new Courtney Love song called ‘This Is War’ that he calls “a work in progress.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/james-iha-to-release-new-solo-album-streams-new-song/” title=”Next: Listen to James Iha’s Song ‘To Who Knows Where'” align=”center”]

Hurt + Smile Empty Soul Unite for Joint Cover of Alice in Chains’ ‘No Excuses’

Facebook: Hurt / Ethan Miller, Getty Images Rock bands covering songs by other acts is not really out of the ordinary, but something that doesn’t happen everyday is a pair of rock bands teaming up on a cover. That was the case recently for hard rocking outfits Hurt and Smile Empty Soul , who found themselves spending a November day in Michigan covering the Alice in Chains classic ‘No Excuses.’ Radio station Banana 101.5 reports that a day prior to their performance at The Machine Shop in Flint, Mich., the two acts made their way to Rochester Hills’ 37 Studios to lay down the track. The Matt Dalton-produced cut found the two acts keeping in the primarily acoustic roots of the original, though they did add a few unique touches to make the song their own. In particular, the percussion on the track has a more upbeat and funky feel to it throughout. Though official release plans have not been announced, Banana 101.5 reports that the song will be available for download at some point, with the proceeds likely tied to a charitable effort of some kind. [button href=”http://banana1015.com/hurt-smile-empty-soul-cover-alice-in-chains-no-excuses-exclusive-premiere/” title=”Listen to Hurt + Smile Empty Soul Covering Alice in Chains’ ‘No Excuses'” align=”center”]

All That Remains Go Militaristic in ‘Stand Up’ Video

YouTube All That Remains offer a militaristic theme in their video for new single ‘Stand Up’ from their latest album, ‘A War You Cannot Win.’ Clearly, a battle theme is woven through multiple elements of the release as  whole, from the lyrics and the audio to the video and the visual. The video fuses performance footage of ATR playing their instruments in the middle of the woods  – they shot the vid on location in New Hampshire — and they are somewhat obscured by plumes of smoke. The action and scenery switches to a battlefield, with soldiers and armed military men in combat brandishing weapons and engaging in ground missions. But is it really a battlefield or is it those same woods? Food for thought… You might get a little dizzy when watching the video, since it often switches to the perspective of one of the combat men. You’ll feel like you are behind the rifle scope, as he seeks out his prey or enemy. It might make you a little bit queasy, since you move when he moves for many of those scenes. But there really is nothing cooler than a metal band ripping through a galloping guitar solo in the middle of the woods, while images of gas mask-wearing armed forces are spliced throughout. It leaves you wondering if it’s the band being hunted and, if so, by whom? We won’t give it away. Watch All That Remains ‘Stand Up’ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/all-that-remains-phil-labonte-talks-military-religion-a-war-you-cannot-win/” title=”Next: ATR’s Phil Labonte Talks Military, Religion + More” align=”center”]

Destruction vs. Hatebreed – Death Match

Nuclear Blast / eOne Legendary German thrash band Destruction , fittingly enough, destroyed Napalm Death in our latest Death Match. The band’s track ‘Carnivore’ is now on the treacherous path to the Death Match Hall of Fame, all they have to do is defeat three more bands, starting with this next act. Hatebreed are seen as an incredibly influential band when it comes to blending elements of pure hardcore and metal together. The band is slotted to release its seventh full-length album, ‘The Divinity of Purpose,’ in January 2013, but you can check out the new track ‘Put It to the Torch’ right here. Can Destruction continue their path to the Death Match Hall of Fame? Or will Hatebreed set fire to the thrash band’s reign as Death Match champions? The choice belongs to the fans. Vote for your favorite track in the poll below. (This Death Match ends on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 10AM ET. Fans can vote once per hour! So come back and vote often to make sure your favorite song wins!) Destruction, ‘Carnivore’ Hatebreed, ‘The Divinity of Purpose’ ? Sorry, you need to have javascript running to see this poll. ? Email Me When Death Match Winners Are Announced Enter your email address below to receive the Loudwire newsletter, which will include notification of the weekly winner of the Death Match, as well as our top stories of each day. Email Rules of Death Match Two bands fight to the death each week. Fans can vote once per hour. The triumphant band goes on to compete in the next Death Match. If a band wins four straight Death Matches, its song will be honored as immortal in the Loudwire Death Match Hall of Fame.

Wendy Dio Says Early Detection Appears To Be Helping Tony Iommi’s Cancer Recovery

Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images (2) The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund recently had a chance to honor Dio’s longtime friend and bandmate, Tony Iommi , who himself has been battling lymphoma over the past year. Dio’s widow, Wendy, tells Loudwire that Iommi’s early detection has been key in his recovery, and it may have even been her husband’s death that led to the Black Sabbath guitarist getting checked out. Wendy tells us, “Well you know Tony was struggling with his own cancer, and hopefully … it’s in remission, which [would be] fantastic. And that’s early detection again, that was early. Maybe if Ronnie hadn’t passed away, [Iommi] wouldn’t have gotten checked early. We don’t know, but that was early detection, and [the ceremony] was great because he’s been through so much this year and to honor him, that was great. And for Geezer [Butler] to give him the award was very, very special. All of honorees are special.” Wendy stressed the importance of cancer education, especially for men who tend not to visit the doctor as frequently. She added, “We mainly deal with men’s cancers and we find that men don’t get checked. Women are very good. Men have to be drug there, but we’re trying to make awareness that early detection saves lives and for your loved ones to save their lives by getting checked.” The Halloween ‘Spooktacular’ event featured awards named after Dio songs, with Iommi taking home the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ award. In addition, the evening provided plenty of music, with a large portion provided by the Dio Disciples lineup of Tim “Ripper” Owens and Oni Logan, guitarist Craig Goldy, bassist Bjorn Englen, keyboardist Scott Warren, and drummer Simon Wright, with members of Buckcherry , Anthrax , Whitesnake, and White Lion sitting in as well. With the annual awards event behind them, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout cancer fund is currently focused on a massive guitar auction with items donated by Metallica , Iron Maiden , the Foo Fighters , Bon Jovi , Eddie Van Halen , and many more. The event takes place Dec. 1 through Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, Calif. For more info, check here . Stay tuned for a full interview with Wendy Dio and Geezer Butler’s wife, Gloria, about the guitar auction. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/ronnie-james-dio-the-pick-of-destiny-cameo/” title=”Next: Ronnie James Dio – Musician Movie Cameos” align=”center”]

Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows Says Upcoming Album Has ‘Sabbath / Zeppelin’ Feel

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com After revealing recently that  Avenged Sevenfold  were about six songs into a writing their upcoming album. M. Shadows has now given a big hint as to what direction the band will be taking on the disc. He also has laid out a timetable for the album’s release.  He explains to Metal Hammer  that the new disc will not sound very much like ‘Carry On,’ the band’s recent release for the video game ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II.’ ”The new album has a lot more of a [Black] Sabbath / [Led] Zeppelin feel to it than ‘Carry On’,” says Shadows. “There’s definitely more Sabbath in what we’re writing, and we’re proud of ‘Carry On,’ but this album is going to be on a whole new level.” As to when the new album will be released, Shadows revealed, “We’re halfway through [writing the new album]. We’re shooting for late January-early February [to head into the studio] and to have the album out in the Summer. I’m pretty sure, with what I’ve been told already, we’re looking to go overseas first, so you guys will be seeing it before everyone else!” As for the band appearing as characters in the closing credits of the ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II’ video game, Shadows remarks, “It’s a trip! It’s crazy! We had to do all this motion-capture and play a gig to nobody, but we didn’t get to see anything until the game came out. You saw it when I saw it!” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-perform-carry-on-as-characters-in-call-of-duty-black-ops-ii/” title=”Next: Watch Avenged Sevenfold in ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops II” align=”center”]

Linkin Park Announce Clean Energy Promotion + Rock American Music Awards

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Linkin Park are definitely in the giving spirit year-round, but the rockers are doing something special this holiday season by proclaiming what’s called #GivingTuesday. The day-long event, held Nov. 27, finds the band’s charitable arm, Music for Relief, supporting the work of the United Nations in giving the unique gift of clean energy solutions to people who have no access to electricity and rallying fans to donate. The idea is that fans can give a solar light, solar power for hospitals and health clinics, or Power the World’s latest clean energy tool — the Soccket — which is a soccer ball that is also a portable generator (it’s available at powertheworld.org ). You can also make a donation on behalf of a loved one, and they’ll get an e-card in return, while someone without electricity receives the safe, clean energy they need to improve their quality of life. Linkin Park have been active in supporting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, and urge their fans to take part in the #GivingTuesday by donating at Powertheworld.org . In other Linkin Park news, the group not only performed ‘Burn It Down,’ but also walked away with a trophy for Favorite Alternative Rock Artist at the American Music Awards Sunday night. (Nov. 18). The band has enjoyed a stellar year buoyed by the success of their ‘Living Things’ album. Watch Linkin Park Perform ‘Burn It Down’ at the American Music Awards [button href=”http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-chester-bennington-saw-3d-cameo/” title=”Next: Chester Bennington – Musician Movie Cameos” align=”center”]