Posts Tagged ‘presidential’

Rage Against the Machine Bassist Comments on Possible New Album + Paul Ryan’s Fandom

Kevin Winter, Getty Images Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford gave a “maybe” when asked last month by TMZ if the band was going to be making a new album. Now, Commerford has given a slightly different response when asked the question yet again, with an added dig at Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan in reaction to the politician’s claims that he’s a certified Rage fan. A few days ago, TMZ caught up with Commerford in a parking lot again (watch below), and once again asked the bassist about a new RATM album. “Definitely, maybe. Anything’s possible,” said Commerford, adding yet another positive, yet mysterious answer to one of rock music’s most burning questions. He was also asked about Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan, who earlier this year claimed to be a fan of Rage Against the Machine. Commerford tells TMZ, ”Clearly he’s not that smart to be admitting that. It just seems like it’s stupid for him to even bring it up, so he’s obviously not that smart of a guy.” When the interview suggested it might be the band’s “infectious bass lines,” Commerford quipped, “It must be the bass, it’s gotta be the bass.” Commerford’s Rage bandmate  Tom Morello previously commented on Ryan’s love of rage, saying , ”Paul Ryan’s love of Rage Against the Machine is amusing, because he is the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades.” Whomever you choose to support in the 2012 Presidential Election, make sure to go out and vote tomorrow (Nov. 6) if you’re a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older. Additionally, fans from all over the world can vote in Loudwire’s President of Heavy Metal Election , where Rob Zombie is facing Ozzy Osbourne in the finals! Watch Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine Talk to TMZ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/rob-zombie-vs-ozzy-osbourne-president-of-heavy-metal-election-finals/” title=”Vote in the President of Heavy Metal Election” align=”center”] ?

Axl Rose Makes Rare Television Appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

ABC The notoriously reclusive  Axl Rose sat down on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ last night (Oct. 24) for an extremely rare live interview appearance — and the Guns N’ Roses frontman even seemed to enjoy himself a bit. Watch his entire interview in three parts below.  Although the questions (some of which were submitted by fans via Twitter) weren’t exactly hard-hitting, they did give Rose a chance to weigh in on a variety of topics. When reminded that he was sitting just a few minutes from the classic lineup’s old rehearsal space, he admitted that he “unfortunately” remembers those days. And he also claimed he doesn’t regret his infamous cornrows. Rose also joked about his well-known penchant for showing up late, something Kimmel riffed on early in the show when he told the audience Rose hadn’t shown up yet. The rest of the conversation mostly dealt with some of the usual stuff — he loves the new GN’R lineup (although he joked that keyboard player Chris Pittman will be the next one fired), he thought their appearance at the Bridge School benefit “went great” despite widespread claims to the contrary , and he’s looking forward to the band’s Vegas residency . One oddball bit of trivia: Rose once dressed up for Halloween as an ear of corn, because “We have a saying in Guns N’ Roses: When somebody’s gonna get yelled at, they’re gonna get the corn. So one year I was the corn.” The Guns N’ Roses singer also weighed on the Presidential election, saying he doesn’t vote but is leaning toward Barack Obama. In the end, Rose told the audience that he had a free pair of tickets to a Vegas show hidden under an audience member’s seat — and then treated everyone in attendance to food from Tommy’s Burger Truck. All in all, not a bad way to spend an evening — maybe he should try it again sometime sooner than 20 years from now. Watch the complete clip below. Axl Rose on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-guns-n-roses-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Guns N’ Roses Songs” align=”center”]

Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready Voices Support for Affordable Care Act

Rick Diamond, Getty Images With the presidential election just over two weeks away,  Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready has teamed up with filmmaker Jesse Dylan in a video encouraging people to vote only for Congressional candidates that support the Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare (watch below). In the video, McCready voices his support for the Affordable Care Act because of his personal experience in dealing with pre-existing conditions. McCready suffers from Crohn’s Disease. “Before the Affordable Care Act, people with conditions like mine could be denied coverage. I know. I was denied twice, even being a member of a famous rock band,” said McCready. “The people who don’t have those kind of resources, they are stuck, they have no choices. But now, we can’t be denied insurance because of something we can’t change—our illnesses. We have choices, we can be insured, and we can focus on having a life.” The two also have issued a joint statement about the issue. Part of the letter explains why they support the Affordable Care Act: “The insurance industry’s structure left 129 million Americans – including 17 million children – at risk of being denied health insurance because they have a pre-existing medical condition. Millions of Americans tried to buy health care, but were turned away or charged more because they were sick (or had been sick), and therefore didn’t look like a good risk. Millions more Americans were unable to afford insurance, or exceeded their lifetime treatment caps, or experienced other difficulties that left them uninsured and without access to affordable health care when they needed it most. Business isn’t a bad thing. But the business of health insurance hasn’t been a good thing in America. Not for anyone with a chronic illness, or with a spouse who got sick and lost their job, or for a gravely ill child and his or her parents. President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) recognized these shortcomings and rectified them. ObamaCare does for health care what business could not or would not; it prohibits discrimination against those of us with pre-existing conditions. It ensures everyone, regardless of their employment status or health care situation, access to quality insurance and medical care. Everyone. Period.” McCready has started a petition on SignOn.org where people can join him to pledge their vote for candidates that support the Affordable Care Act. Watch Mike McCready in the Video ‘Life Is a Pre-Existing Condition’

GWAR’s Oderus Urungus + Pustulus Maximus Talk Writing New Music, 2012 Election + More

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Having emerged from his coffin with a fistful of Jagermeister, GWAR front-thing Oderus Urungus graced us with an exclusive interview. Thanks to the band, GWAR interviews are always comedic gold, but this Q&A session was extra special, as it features new guitarist Pustulus Maximus in his first ever interview. Oderus and Pustulus speak about writing new music for a 2013 album, the process of choosing a new guitarist, the 2012 Presidential Election + much more. Scumdogs, unite! And check out our video interview with GWAR’s Oderus Urungus and Pustulus Maximus, but beware; this interview contains naughty language. GWAR’s Oderus Urungus and Pustulus Maximus Talk to Loudwire [Explicit Language]

Creed’s Scott Stapp Expresses Disappointment With Obama Administration

Ethan Miller, Getty Images Creed vocalist Scott Stapp is among those voicing his political concerns as the presidential race heats up. The singer says that while he was fully behind Barack Obama in 2008, he’s not exactly thrilled with what he’s seen from our current leader. Speaking on the Fox & Friends television show (see video below), Stapp revealed that he was “disappointed” by Obama, whom he claims “made a lot of promises, but no real delivery.” Sharing his thoughts on which way he’s leaning these days, Stapp said, “My heart and soul would really want someone like Reagan or FDR to come back and give us a New Deal. Be bold, be committed, don’t care what anybody thinks.” He also stated that we need someone who can lead us out of the current recession and that he’s looking for a strong decision maker to emerge during the debates. The vocalist said that while he backed Obama previously, he’s a little more hesitant this time. “For me, it’s hard to commit and to trust President Obama again because I was so inspired and thought everything was going to change,” says Stapp. “I know he walked into a tough situation, but I feel change is in the air.” In addition to talking politics, Stapp is making the rounds this week to promote his new book, ‘ Sinner’s Creed ,’ which shares his life story. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/creed-my-sacrifice-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Creed: Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”] Watch Scott Stapp Share His Disappointment With President Obama

Serj Tankian Challenges Idea That Animals Aren’t Equal to Humans

Peta2 Serj Tankian has spent countless hours trying to raise the awareness of human rights, and now in a new Peta2 video he’s taking the time to address how we view animal rights, as well. The System of a Down singer challenges the idea that animals are lesser beings on this planet, and states, “I think that’s something that we always forget with our self-differentiation and egos – that we think that we’re different, but we are animals.” By putting out the idea that we as humans are actually animals, too, the singer is hoping that it changes the way that we view things like the killing of other creatures. Tankian says that he’s surprise that there aren’t more people adopting animals from shelters. “There’s so many animals in the shelters right now and have been for a good period of time and statistics are that at least 50% of them are killed,” says Tankian. “It’s cause no one adopts them, and it’s a shame.” He also chimes in on the seal slaughter that goes on annually in Canada, stating, “It’s shocking that something like this could still be happening today.” The singer has joined the likes of fellow rockers Dave Navarro , Rise Against ‘s Tim McIlrath, OTEP , Dillinger Escape Plan , Social Distortion ‘s Mike Ness and more in teaming with peta2 in trying to sway the way that humans view cruelty toward animals. Tankian’s peta2 video can be seen below: Watch Serj Tankian Talk To Peta2 [button href=”http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-serj-tankian-offers-his-take-on-the-2012-u-s-presidential-election/” title=”Next: Serj Tankian Talks 2012 Presidential Election” align=”center”]

Kid Rock To Unleash New Album ‘Rebel Soul’ on November 19

Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Kid Rock , the original ‘American Bad Ass,’ returns this fall with his new disc titled ‘Rebel Soul.’ Slated for a Nov. 19 release date, the new album marks Kid Rock’s follow up to his 2010 juggernaut ‘Born Free.’ ‘Let’s Ride’ has also been revealed as the title of the first single and according to the official Kid Rock website will be at radio imminently” so be on the lookout! Known for his genre-bending sensibilities Kid Rock can transform from rap-rock to Southern inspired blues over the course of just one song, but ‘Rebel Soul’ promises to be a “return to form” for Kid. The new disc was also produced by Kid Rock, who has a state of the art recording studio at his Detroit-area home. A few tracks have been confirmed for ‘Rebel Soul.’ In addition to ‘Let’s Ride,’ the disc will also include songs titled ‘Celebrate’ and ‘The Mirror,’ according to various sources. Kid Rock recently showed his support for for Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan at a fundraising event for Mitt Romney, and has also allowed the Romney camp to use his anthemic song ‘Born Free’ for their campaign. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/kid-rock-support-vice-presidential-candidate-paul-ryan/” title=”Next: Kid Rock Supports Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan” align=”center”] ?