I own several website, approximately 63, and I love to blog. I am in the process of writing 3 books. I have already written 4 books and 1 kindle book. I have two kids and am married.
I run a web design company here in Corpus Christi, TX. I also am part of a great company and our latest product is Robo Link Tracker. Check out how you can cloak and track your links without paying a monthly fee at: http://www.robolinktracker.com
Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images Right after Anthrax ‘s ‘I’m Alive’ was nominated for the 2013 Best Hard Rock / Metal Performance Grammy Award , we hopped on the phone with Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante for a congratulatory conversation. Having been placed against Halestorm , Iron Maiden , Lamb of God , Marilyn Manson and Megadeth , Benante shared an excited and interesting perspective on the Grammys, both past and present. This is Anthrax’s fourth Grammy nod, the band’s first since their collaboration with Public Enemy, ‘Bring the Noise,’ was nominated in 1994. We asked Benante about past winners and if they deserved the golden gramophone, along with a b-sides and covers album that Benante says may be released in early 2013. Your Grammy opponents are pretty tough this year. You’re against Halestorm, Iron Maiden, Lamb of God, Marilyn Manson and Megadeth. What are your thoughts on those artists? Well, this is a difficult question because some of the artists I don’t really listen to. Some of the artists I do know and listen to. With Megadeth and Maiden … we look up to Iron Maiden so much. If you took Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, the common denominator there would probably be Iron Maiden. In some way, shape, or form, we all kind of modeled our band with Iron Maiden in mind. Not just that band; there’s other bands but I’m saying they played a pretty big role in the shaping of those four bands. So to be nominated with Iron Maiden, it’s just f—ing awesome. Looking up your past nominations for the Grammys, the one thing that’s easy to spot is that all those nominations came when Joey Belladonna was on vocals. So to you, how essential is the performance of Joey when it comes to these nominations? Well, it’s the classic Anthrax sound when we were nominated prior. I couldn’t be happier with the way that this record [‘Worship Music’] came out and you know, it’s something that I touched on in the statement that we made was this record, more so than a lot of other records, there was so much blood, sweat and tears that went into this record and I don’t know if those other records that are nominated could say the same thing. I mean, I’m not taking anything away from those other recordings, but all I can say is that I know how much went into making our other record. When I saw that we were nominated it just kind of made everything, “Wow, all that hard work and we get noticed.” It made sense to me. It wasn’t just making another record, you know? It was a different thing, it was different experience and it was a life changing experience. The first Grammy you were nominated for was for ‘Persistence of Time’ and you were against Judas Priest’s ‘Painkiller,’ which is incredible, Megadeth’s ‘Rust in Piece,’ which is amazing and Suicidal Tendencies, ‘Lights… Camera… Revolution!” But then the Grammy went to Metallica’s ‘Stone Cold Crazy.’ [Laughs] Yeah, I remember that! I think that was soon after the Metallica /Jethro Tull thing. It’s kind of funny where the Grammys have gone. I remember the first rap category, it wasn’t televised and there was a big uproar about that and then nowadays, there’s like three rap categories or more are on there and that are televised. It’s funny to see how it’s turned. It’s unfortunate that the metal one isn’t going to be televised though. Well, yeah. Take out one of those other categories and you know give (a category to metal) because I always said this: heavy metal and hard rock — the fans are the most loyal fans that really attach themselves to a genre of music. It’s not a fickle form of music. You can tell a metalhead walking in the street, you can tell what they are all about and it’s a lifestyle, it’s a way of life. It’s funny how people go that route and it’s how other people don’t go that route. I always found it kind of fascinating how I grew up listening to the Beatles and yet when I was in my teens, I latched onto that style of music, but I always kept the Beatles as my main sort of influence. So looking back on it your first Grammy nomination in 1991, who do you think should have won? I think Metallica should have won it for their ‘Black Album’ in 1992. I don’t agree with ‘Stone Cold Crazy,’ but you know, it’s hard to say who should have won. Of course I’ve got to pick myself, but it did include Megadeth and Judas Priest in there as well, those are all albums that went on to have legendary status. But, you know, look at the Grammys back in the day. Did the Beatles ever win or did Led Zeppelin win a Grammy at that time? Fun facts: Led Zeppelin have never won a Grammy and were only nominated once for Best New Artist in 1970. However, Zeppelin were given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2005. The Beatles won only five Grammys from 21 nominations during their active career. In 1995, Anthrax’s collaboration with Public Enemy, ‘Bring the Noise,’ went up against Megadeth’s ’99 Ways to Die,’ Pantera’s ‘I’m Broken,’ the Rollins Band’s ‘Liar,’ and the band who won that year was Soundgarden for ‘Spoonman.’ Do you think you guys should have won that year? I think Anthrax and Public Enemy should have won that year, but the people would have said, “No, because that’s not heavy metal.” But isn’t that what the Grammys are all about? You know, kind of branching out, different forms of music combining, different art forms? Anthrax and Public Enemy should have won the Grammy that year. That was definitely a strong piece of metal history. So when it comes to 2013, I’ve read that you guys would “like to” release an album sometime next year. Are there any solid plans right now for a 2013 album? The only thing that we’re working on right now, as far as a record, are some B-sides and some cover songs that we’ve been really, really enjoying making. It’s been a while, but it’s just because the band has been busy doing shows and stuff like that. [We’re covering] a lot of classic rock songs that we’ve just ingested throughout the years and shaped a lot of us and the musicians that we came to be. There’s a song by Boston, there’s a Rush tune, there’s a Cheap Trick tune, there’s a Thin Lizzy tune, there’s an AC/DC tune … We just said ‘F— it.’ These f—ing songs may be very popular, some of them may not be very popular, but we’re going to do it. That’s what we set out to do. So, this record will probably be out the beginning of the year. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-charlie-benante-2013-grammy-nomination-complete-shock/” title=”Charlie Benante on Grammy Nod: ‘It Was Just Complete Shock'” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Killswitch Engage have had an incredible year to say the least, on top of reuniting with original vocalist Jesse Leach , touring nonstop and recording a new record, the band celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their album ‘Alive or Just Breathing’ with a headlining tour. We had the recent pleasure of catching Killswitch Engage along with Shadows Fall and Acaro in Brooklyn, N.Y., at a sold-out show. Acaro kicked off the night with an incredible set, frontman Chris Harrell had complete command of the stage and when he wasn’t getting the mosh pit he wanted, the vocalist jumped into the crowd and started one himself. Guitarist Felipe Roa shredded it up in front of his family, who flew in all the way from Chile just to attend the show. Shadows Fall took the stage next and put on an explosive set – there’s nothing like seeing, and for many fans in front, feeling singer Brian Fair’s lengthy dreads whipping back and forth. Fans moshed around to tracks such as ‘The Light That Blinds,’ ‘Destroyer of Senses’ and ‘Still I Rise.’ The band also performed new tracks ‘Weight of the World’ and ‘Divide and Conquer’ off of their new record ‘Fire From the Sky.’ Killswitch Engage got a warm welcome from their New York fans. They not only performed ‘Alive or Just Breathing’ in full but they kicked off their stellar set with ‘A Bid Farewell’ and ‘Rose for Sharyn.’ Jesse Leach’s vocal abilities are out of this world and his lyric delivery is intense and extremely powerful. The entire band gave their full attention to fans as they worked the stage left and right. Of course, guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz showed off his toned legs by donning his infamous short shorts. He also teased fans and made hilarious faces, not to mention he entertained fans by doing some jumping jacks and push-ups while his guitar was being tuned. Killswitch ended their set with an invigorating performance of ‘My Curse’ and ‘End of Heartache’ which had fans crowd surfing and belting out lyrics word for word. This show was one of the best the Music Hall of Williamsburg has ever been graced with, as these bands rocked Brooklyn so hard, their sound resonated throughout all five boroughs. Photos of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall + Acaro Performing in Brooklyn: Killswitch Engage: Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Shadows Fall: Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Acaro: Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
Saturday Night Live With all the excitement that’s come from the surviving members of Nirvana writing and performing and recording an original song with Beatles icon Paul McCartney , there are a million questions about the musical collective’s future. Will the spontaneous collaboration lead to more material? Will there be a tour? How exactly do you persuade Sir Paul McCartney to come jam in your basement? To list off the mental ramblings of Nirvana and Beatles fans would fill an encyclopedia, but bassist Krist Novoselic has got some inside info to share via his official blog. Paul McCartney himself has told the tale of how he found himself in the middle of a “Nirvana reunion,” but Novoselic has now documented his side of the story as a casual musician who was offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “The collaboration came out of the Sound CIty film that was produced and directed by Dave,” writes Novoselic. “He asked me if I wanted to play with him, Pat and Paul? I said YES! It was a wonderful day — Paul came in with this cigar box guitar and started playing some mean slide on it. He said it was in a “D”. Hearing that, Grunge instincts took over my left hand and I dropped the E on the bass to D. Pat and Dave got into it and the tune took shape. Paul flashed a riff and we picked it up. I busted another one out and everyone picked it up. Things started coming together.” Novoselic continues to recount the dream jam session, while offering his view on exactly what the track ‘Cut Me Some Slack’ represents for the future of the impromptu band. “It was so exciting to play with Paul,” gushes the Nirvana bassist. “I became seized with thoughts, for I hadn’t played like that with Pat or Dave since the last Nirvana show in 1994. Wow, it was emotionally and musically heavy! Some other things brought me back; there was a Lefty on guitar who was a heck of a songwriter. Anyway, words can’t really describe it and I returned to the task at hand. A new song was born! And that’s about it. That’s all it is — a new song by some players who have doing it for a while.” ‘Cut Me Some Slack’ has been performed live twice by the group, debuting the track at the ’12-12-12′ Hurricane Sandy benefit, with an encore on ‘Saturday Night Live’ soon after … not bad for a band without a name. According to Novoselic in a separate blog post , although the project has been called many names, the bassist’s personal favorite seems to be ‘Sirvana,’ which offers a nod to the Beatle legend’s status as Sir Paul McCartney Sirvana’s sole original song is now available to purchase via iTunes . Paul McCartney + Nirvana Members Perform at ’12-12-12′ Benefit
Papa Roach courtesy of Guitar Center. Papa Roach are keeping busy this holiday season by releasing a new single, ‘Where Did the Angels Go,’ off the band’s ‘ The Connection ’ album, as well as prepping for a co-headlining North American tour with Stone Sour scheduled for early 2013. Now, Papa Roach are set to appear on a new episode of ‘ Guitar Center Sessions ,’ airing next Friday (Dec. 28) at 9 p.m. on DirectTV’s Audience Network (Ch. 239). But, why wait? Check out an exclusive clip of Papa Roach performing ‘Still Swingin,’ the first single off ‘The Connection,’ in the video below. Papa Roach recently took time off from the road to allow lead singer Jacoby Shaddix undergo throat surgery and rest his vocal cords. Along with the performance clip, an interview portion of ‘Guitar Center Sessions’ that features Shaddix speaking about those medical battles and getting his voice back can also be seen below. “It feels great, man,” Shaddix said of getting his prized voice back. “I couldn’t talk for 10 days. I was losing my freaking mind! I got like a white board. I’m, like, trying to mouth the words. Text. To me, that was the longest silence since my birth!” Papa Roach’s ‘Still Swingin’ is currently nominated for Rock Song of the Year in the Loudwire Music Awards. Place your votes here . Watch Papa Roach Perform “Still Swingin’ on ‘Guitar Center Sessions’ Watch a Papa Roach’s Interview on ‘Guitar Center Sessions’
Lostprophets: Facebook Following the arrest of Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins for various unfathomable charges involving children, the rock world has held its breath with an unhinged discomfort. Facing some of the most heinous charges in recent memory, Watkins now finds himself sitting in a jail cell. Now, his bandmates have offered an official statement, citing their current “state of shock.” The official charges brought against Watkins include conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a 1-year-old female, two incidents of “sexual touching” involving young children and possession and distribution of “indecent images of children,” along with “extreme” animal pornography. These charges are enough to cause any human being’s jaw to drop, and Watkins is now scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 31 after he and his two alleged female conspirators, aged 20 and 24, were denied bail. Lostprophets have just offered a written statement addressing the situation via their official website: Following charges made today against Ian Watkins, we find ourselves in a state of shock. We are learning about the details of the investigation along with you. It is a difficult time for us and our families, and we want to thank our fans for their support as we seek answers. Jamie, Lee, Luke, Mike and Stu Stay tuned for further developments as news continues to break. [button href=”http://loudwire.com” title=”Lostprophets Singer Arrested for Child Sex Offense Charges ” align=”center”]
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images After spending a good portion of the year in the studio recording the upcoming Alice in Chains album, singer-guitarist Jerry Cantrell is in the mood to get out and play. Cantrell was a surprise guest of the Walking Papers during their performance at the Crocodile Café in Seattle Saturday night (Dec. 15). Seattle station KISW 99.9 FM reports that Cantrell joined the band, which features Duff McKagan , the Missionary Position’s Jeff Angell and Ben Anderson, and former Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin, for two songs during their performance. Cantrell rocked guitar on ‘Your Secret Is Safe With Me’ (which can be seen below) and ‘Two Tickets.’ Walking Papers released their debut disc back in October. It features a guest appearance from another Seattle favorite — Pearl Jam ‘s Mike McCready — lending some guitar assistance. As for the upcoming Alice in Chains disc, Cantrell told Revolver (excerpted by Grunge Report ) that the as-yet-untitled album stays true to form. He explained, “I don’t think you’ll be surprised by anything you hear. It’s us. It’s also really unique. It’s got all the elements of any record we’ve put out, but it’s unlike any record we’ve put out. Basically, it’s the next chapter in the Alice in Chains book, and it’s going to be a big one.” Though a release date and title have yet to be announced for the new Alice in Chains record, the new song ‘ Hollow ‘ just arrived, complete with a fan-generated lyric video. Watch Jerry Cantrell Join Walking Papers for ‘Your Secret Is Safe With Me’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/jerry-cantrell-confirms-completion-upcoming-alice-in-chains-album/” title=”Next: Jerry Cantrell Discusses Completed Alice in Chains Album” align=”center”]
Robert Cianflone, Getty Images Black Sabbath guitarist and master of the riff Tony Iommi has been welcomed into the National Guitar Museum Board of Advisors. Iommi strives to help preserve the legacy of the guitar through the traveling institution, which will showcase its unique exhibit in six different cities between now and September 2015. The National Guitar Museum ‘s traveling instillation, ‘Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World,’ launched its first show in 2011, proclaiming the guitar as “The Most Popular Instrument. Ever.” As metal music’s most important six-string strummer, Tony Iommi is a natural fit to bring additional credibility to the museum and exhibit. “I welcome the opportunity to be part of the National Guitar Museum’s goal to highlight the history of the guitar — the instrument that has been part of my life since I was a teenager,” states Iommi. “There is so much more to the guitar than six strings and a slab of wood. Everything about it is fascinating, from how it is crafted to the legion of people who have played it.” Adds HP Newquist, executive director of the NGM, ”Tony is one of the most important rock guitarists to ever pick up the instrument. His guitar playing has defined the sound of heavy metal for more than four decades, and he has influenced countless thousands — if not millions — of players. Tony’s also had a huge affect on the instrument itself, from establishing the Gibson SG as an iconic guitar on to his own innovations in pushing the boundaries of string and pickup technology.” Iommi has joined a legendary group of guitarists already on the museum’s Board of Advisors, including Steve Vai, Ritchie Blackmore ( Deep Purple , Rainbow), Johnny Winter, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Howe (Yes), Liona Boyd, Pat Kirtley and Pete Huttlinger. Once the National Guitar Museum completes its string of instillations, one U.S. city will be named the permanent home of the Museum. Meanwhile, Tony Iommi is currently competing for Rock Titan of the Year in the 2012 Loudwire Music Awards. Place your vote here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com” title=”Former Black Sabbath Drummer Voices Tony Iommi Audiobook” align=”center”]