Posts Tagged ‘guitarist’

Mark Tremonti: New Alter Bridge Album To Be Packed With ‘High Energy’ Songs

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Mark Tremonti is currently winding down the latest North American tour leg for his self-titled band, and Alter Bridge  are about to become his primary focus. The guitarist tells Billboard that after meeting briefly earlier this year, the band is ready to resume work on a new disc and has the beginnings of the effort in place. He explained, “[We have] about five songs outlined [for the new album] … All of them are kind of real high-energy, just real fun rock/metal. We want to not be predictable. We want to make it a little surprising and we’re having fun with it.” At present, Alter Bridge are planning to regroup in late April and hope to begin recording their new album in earnest this summer, with a tour tentatively slated for September. As for the Tremonti band and their plans, the guitarist admits that he might line up some shows during breaks in Alter Bridge’s schedule, just as frontman Myles Kennedy is planning to do with Slash . “It’s always good when you’re recording a record to go take a break and come back,” says the guitarist. “That way you can make sure it’s still exciting and fresh to you.” The rocker says he’s also thinking about a second album from Tremonti, but admits that it will take a back seat to his other bands for the immediate future. “We’re going to just keep pushing the limits of what we can do,” says Tremonti. “We’ll try to be as heavy and progressive as we can without losing the vocal melodies and the reasons why most people listen to music. I don’t want to be just self-indulgent, but we want to have a lot of fun with it, too.” And as for his other band,  Creed , Tremonti simply states, “It’s Alter Bridge’s year.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/tremonti-wish-you-well-video/” title=”Next: Watch Tremonti’s ‘Wish You Well’ Video” align=”center”]

Scott Weiland Working on New Material + Planning Tour

Mike Lawrie, Getty Images Scott Weiland is back in the creative spirit, working on new music, though it is not known as of yet where it will turn up. The singer is also reportedly mapping out some tour dates for 2013, with an announcement expected soon. Longtime Weiland cohort Doug Grean revealed in a Facebook posting that he was “working on new songs with Scott Weiland today,” which might suggest a new Weiland solo album is in the works. Grean previously worked with Weiland on his ‘Happy in Galoshes’ disc. In addition, Weiland’s Facebook page has a banner teasing that more dates for 2013 would be coming soon. Recently,  Slash revealed that Weiland’s overtures toward reuniting with Velvet Revolver were falling on deaf ears and that he never saw a situation where he would work with Weiland again. In addition, the guitarist stated that Weiland’s sudden interest in reuniting with VR may have been spurred by him being fired from  Stone Temple Pilots . As a solo artist, Weiland has been responsible for 1998′s ’12 Bar Blues’ and 2008′s ‘Happy in Galoshes,’ as well as the holiday-themed album, ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,’ which arrived in 2011. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/stone-temple-pilots-singer-scott-weiland-engaged-to-photographer-jamie-wachtel/” title=”Next: Scott Weiland Gets Engaged” align=”center”]

All Shall Perish Guitarist Ben Orum Announces Departure From Band

Facebook: All Shall Perish All Shall Perish guitarist Ben Orum has chosen to leave the band in order to focus on being a father. A statement just released by Orum details his inability to tour with the band while continuing to be an attentive father, while letting fans know that he will continue making music with the new and smaller project, Oblivion. Although Orum manned the guitar for All Shall Perish, he plays bass for the extreme / death metal project Oblivion. Oblivion’s debut album, Called to Rise’ will be independently released by the band on Jan. 1. Orum, who sat out All Shall Perish’s last couple of tours, posted the following message on his official Facebook fan page: I have given over 10 years of my blood, sweat, and tears to pursuing my dream which you all have helped fulfill. Being in All Shall Perish has been the best experience in my life, outside of being a father. While I am deeply saddened by my decision to leave the band it is necessary at this point in my life. As you know I have a family and obligation to provide for them and be here. Unfortunately, I could not fulfill my duty as a touring musician any longer. While I am done with touring, I will never stop writing music. I am joining the extreme metal band Oblivion as a bassist and contributing songwriter. Oblivion’s debut album will be released on January 1st, 2013. We are beyond excited to unleash it onto the metal world. I’ve always been into death metal and extreme music, this is my return to TRUE Death Metal. What makes Oblivion unique and sets us apart from the pack is the fact that our primary songwriter is a world-renown classical composer and professor of music, Dr. Nick Vasallo. His voice gives the music a subtle refinement with the craftsmanship of the compositions. I’ve known Nick since high school and we were in our first band together- Antagony. Nick went on to college and became a classical composer. I went on to a successful career as a touring musician/songwriter in ASP. Now, 10 years later we are working together again. It’s a full circle. While Oblivion were recording their album, Nick injured his thumb and was unable to finish his tracks, which has delayed the album recording. On top of that, he has accepted an appointment as a tenure-track professor at a prestigious university and won’t be able to juggle all the hats of singing, composing, and playing bass for Oblivion. So that’s where I come in–I’ll be fulfilling his duties as a bassist. We also have another Dr. in the making, our guitarist Victor Dods is finishing his PhD in Math. The other guitarist, Ted O’Neil, is a veteran from the original thrash scene in 80′s, and our drummer, Luis Martinez, is a natural phenom. All of this plus me, makes us a huge force to be reckoned with. Stay tuned for the heaviest and darkest music out there. We are Oblivion. Oblivion’s ‘Called to Rise’ is now available to pre-order and the band are now streaming four new songs from their debut album, with the track ‘Reclamation’ available for free download. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/all-shall-perish-talk-drinking-smoking-poop-pranks-much-more/” title=”All Shall Perish Talk to Loudwire About Drinking, Smoking and Poop Pranks” align=”center”]

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”]

Slash Postpones Los Angeles Show Due to Ailing Singer Myles Kennedy

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Slash ‘s Los Angeles date will have to wait as singer Myles Kennedy has come down ill. As a result, the group has postponed tonight’s (Oct. 3) show at the Wiltern until Dec. 2. “We want to be 100% for this gig and we’re just not at this moment,” said the guitarist. “We’ll be back Dec. 2 in fighting form. See you then.” Kennedy added, “My apologies to everyone who was planning on coming out to the show tonight. I promise to make it up to you when we return in a few months.” The Los Angeles show would have been a special one for Slash as it would have been a homecoming performance. Earlier this year, the guitar great was saluted with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , and he’s previously been honored at the Sunset Strip Music Festival as well for his contributions to the Los Angeles music scene. There has been no confirmation of any change in Slash’s plans to appear on Conan tomorrow night (Oct. 4), but with Kennedy ailing, it’s worth monitoring. Meanwhile, Slash recently released an animated video for the group’s latest single, ‘ Bad Rain .’ The legendary guitarist has also been working on the score to the horror film ‘ Nothing to Fear .’ He [button href=”http://loudwire.com/slash-limited-edition-deluxe-four-disc-box-set/” title=”Next: Slash Reveals Deluxe Box Set Details” align=”center”]

Mark Tremonti Crushes New York City With Assist From Wolfgang Van Halen

Playing his first solo show in New York City, Mark Tremonti came across as a seasoned frontman. Leading his latest outfit, Tremonti, the guitarist for Creed and Alter Bridge was in the spotlight last night (Sept. 12) at NYC’s Highline Ballroom, and his fans couldn’t have been happier. The debut Tremonti album, ‘All I Was,’ was released on July 17. Full of great thrash riffs and crushing rhythms, the band proved

Buckcherry Want to Finalize ‘Confessions’ Album ‘Loose Ends’ for 2012 Release

Buckcherry, who once played over 300 shows on an album cycle, definitely love their touring, but at some point the group expects to finalize their next studio album, ‘Confessions.’ Guitarist Keith Nelson tells Pop Culture Madness that their highly-anticipated next album may still arrive before the year ends. Nelson explained, “We’re still hoping to get it out by the end of the year, but if not, probably early next year.