Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images Five Finger Death Punch drummer Jeremy Spencer has embraced the rock and roll lifestyle and all that comes with it over the years, and now that he’s sober he’s ready to tell his tales in the new autobiography, ‘Deathpunched: Cheers to My Sobriety.’ The book, which is expected next year, features Spencer on the cover with adult film legend Ron Jeremy. The drummer told Los Angeles’ ‘ Heidi & Frank Show ,’ “The story behind that is … obviously being in a rock band, you dabble in the party lifestyle from time to time. So after years of that catching up to me, I got sober. But we always used to have this saying about doing cocaine, like you would get so cranked on sexually in your brain when you do it — like everything is exciting — but then you get numbed out beneath the belt line area. So we always said, ‘Man, you feel like Ron Jeremy from the neck up and Christopher Reeve from the neck down.’ So the cover of the book is me in, like, a Superman kind of costume in a wheelchair cheersing a martini glass with Ron Jeremy and two hot chicks. So that’s the cover of my book.” Spencer, who just past a year of sobriety on Jan. 8, says he initially planned to self-release the book but now has a deal in place with a publisher and expects it out next year. As for the Five Finger Death Punch’s current status, he reveals that the band are “cocooned up” at the moment working on new music, but do have plans for some spring shows in Europe followed by a summer North American trek. Watch Five Finger Death Punch’s Jeremy Spencer Discuss His Upcoming Book on KLOS 95.5 FM [button href=”http://loudwire.com/five-finger-death-punch-the-pride-video/” title=”Next: Watch Five Finger Death Punch’s ‘The Pride’ Video” align=”center”] ?
Orgymusic.com Orgy continue their return to the music scene, as the band just revealed dates for their 2013 ‘Wide Awake and Dead’ North American tour. The trek launches March 2 in Phoenix and continues through an April 2 finale in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Joining Orgy on the tour will be upstart acts Vampires Everywhere and Davey Suicide. In late 2010, Orgy’s original lineup underwent a shakeup with singer Jay Gordon retaining the rights to the name and restocking the band with new musicians. In the time since, Gordon and new Orgy members Nic Speck (bass), Jamie Miller (drums), Carlton Bost and Ashburn Miller (guitars) have sparingly toured and ducked into the studio to record the recent single, ‘ Grime of the Century .’ The band also released a video for the track last fall. In the downtime between touring, the group has been working on a new album and while details have yet to be revealed on the forthcoming disc, the return to the road is a good sign that more music may be coming from the band fairly soon. Orgy’s 2013 ‘Wide Awake and Dead’ North American Tour 3/2 — Phoenix, Ariz. — Joe’s Grotto 3/4 — Dallas, Texas — Trees 3/6 — Houston, Texas — Scout Bar 3/7 — San Antonio, Texas — Backstage Live SA 3/8 — Broussard, La. — The Stations Bar and Grill 3/10 — St. Petersburg, Fla. — The State Theater 3/12 — Jacksonville, Fla. — The Roc Bar 3/13 — Atlanta, Ga. — The Masquerade 3/15 — Jacksonville, N.C. — Hooligans 3/16 — Spartanburg, S.C. — Ground Zero 3/17 — Springfield, Va. — Empire 3/19 — Lakewood, Ohio — The Foundry 3/20 — New York, N.Y. — Marlin Room @ Webster Hall 3/21 — White Marsh, Md. — House of Rock 3/22 — Amityville, N.Y. — Revolution 3/23 — Hampton Beach, N.H. — Wally’s Pub 3/24 — Hartford, Conn. — Webster Theater 3/26 — West Chester, Pa. — The Note 3/27 — Pittsburgh, Pa. — Altar Bar 3/28 — Toledo, Ohio — Headliner’s 3/29 — Columbus, Ohio — Al Rosa Villa 3/30 — Flint, Mich. — The Machine Shop 3/31 — Louisville, Ky. — Diamond Pub & Billiards 4/2 — Lincolnshire, Ill. — Viper Alley [button href=”http://loudwire.com/alice-in-chains-2013-must-see-rock-concerts/” title=”Next: Check Out Other 2013 Must-See Rock Concerts” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Korn frontman Jonathan Davis is an avid supporter of the U.S. military, as evidenced with his continued USO meet-and-greets and performances for U.S. servicemen and women and his participation in the recent ‘ Wounded Warriors ‘ short film. The singer’s support continued during a special meeting set up at the ShipRocked event in late November. United States Air Force Shift Supervisor Michael Bowser attended the cruise performance, where he was finally able to meet his hard rock hero and present him with a flag flown over an Afghanistan base on Sept. 11, 2012. Video footage of the presentation may be seen below. Bowser said he also collected flags for Five Finger Death Punch and Sevendust , who were also among his favorite bands, to present to them, as well. He told Davis, “Hopefully this can give back to you guys what you’ve given to me, because if it wasn’t for rock music I wouldn’t get through deployment.” A moved Davis responded, “I know lots of people and I know the s— you all are going through. This is amazing. This will definitely be displayed at our studio.” Just last fall, Davis was presented with the uniform of Marine Lance Cpl. William H. ‘Billy’ Crouse IV by his brother Ryan Rothman. Crouse was killed during a bombing in Afghanistan. It’s expected that Bowser’s flag will be displayed alongside Crouse’s uniform and other gifts that band has received from the military over the years. Watch Korn’s Jonathan Davis Receive a U.S. Flag from Air Force Supervisor Michael Bowser [button href=”http://loudwire.com/korns-jonathan-davis-visits-wounded-troops-and-takes-bomb-disposal-training/” title=”Next: Jonathan Davis Visits With Wounded Troops + Takes Bomb Training” align=”center”]
Kevin Winter, Getty Images Former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano is facing a major career change and seems enthused about the future. Caggiano tells Pro Sound News that ultimately his desire to have more creative involvement in the music he was generating led to his exit. He explains, “If you were to ask me to give you the absolute main reason why I decided to leave Anthrax, I would tell you that I left because my heart simply wasn’t in it anymore. I had a blast playing with those guys and they will always be family to me, but outside of my guitar solos and production work, Anthrax was never a creative outlet for me [musically]. That wasn’t by any choice of my own but the way, it’s just the way it is.” The guitarist adds, “I guess it just got to the point where I started asking myself, ‘What the hell am I doing? I’m a musician. This is who I am. Being creative is simply soul food for my soul. Why am I devoting all of my time and energy into a band where being creative is impossible for me?’ It simply stopped making sense a while ago and I ended up feeling very unhappy and very unfulfilled. It started feeling like I was just going through the motions and that’s not what music is about to me at all.” In recent years, Caggiano has seen his production career expanding and he’s interested in exploring that to the fullest as well. The guitarist, who is currently producing Volbeat ‘s next album, says, “Making records is a lot of hard work and to be honest, I usually can’t even listen to an album I’ve worked on when I’m done with it. It’s the smiles and excitement people have when they listen to it that make it worthwhile for me.” As for working as a recording musician and touring artist, Caggiano says, “I’m absolutely not giving up my guitar! I’m not giving up touring anytime soon either. I love the stage and I love touring. It’s in my blood and it’s who I am. I just needed to step off the machine to reevaluate things. Sometimes it’s good to do that and with change comes growth. I have a lot to say musically and I’m ready to scream!” To read more of Caggiano’s thoughts on music production and his future, check out the full interview at Pro Sound News . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/anthrax-tap-shadows-fall-guitarist-jon-donais-to-fill-vacant-band-slot-on-upcoming-tour/” title=”Next: Anthrax Name Guitarist Rob Caggiano’s Touring Replacement” align=”center”]
Facebook: Drowning Pool It looks as though Drowning Pool are maintaining their aggression with new singer Jasen Moreno leading the way. The new track ‘One Finger and a Fist’ is an amped up rocker and Drowning Pool are exclusively premiering the lyric video for the song right here at Loudwire. ‘One Finger and a Fist’ could arguably be one of the band’s most confrontational songs, boasting the lyrics, “ I’ve got news for you / you’re not the first one, won’t be the last / Won’t take abuse from you / I see you run, son, you’re running fast .” The band also states in the chorus, “ One finger and a fist / I’ll claw my way out any situation .” For the video, the lyrics fly at the viewer at rapid speed while set against the backdrop of computer generated visual effects mimicking hands, arms and a certain finger that appear occasionally independent of a full body. ‘One Finger and a Fist’ was offered as a free download for a limited period back in December. It’s also one of the key tracks to their first album with Moreno on vocals. Other cuts that have been heard since Moreno took over include ‘In Memory Of …, ‘ a song that was issued as a tribute to the band’s original frontman, the late Dave Williams, and their recent single, ‘ Saturday Night .’ Drowning Pool will hit the road in February, sharing the stage with another act employing a new vocalist — Flyleaf . The trek runs through March 24. Details on Drowning Pool’s new album are expected very shortly. Watch Drowning Pool’s ‘One Finger and a Fist’ Lyric Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/drowning-pool-bodies-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Drowning Pool – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”] ?
Facebook: Drowning Pool It looks as though Drowning Pool are maintaining their aggression with new singer Jasen Moreno leading the way. The new track ‘One Finger and a Fist’ is an amped up rocker and Drowning Pool are exclusively premiering the lyric video for the song right here at Loudwire. ‘One Finger and a Fist’ could arguably be one of the band’s most confrontational songs, boasting the lyrics, “ I’ve got news for you / you’re not the first one, won’t be the last / Won’t take abuse from you / I see you run, son, you’re running fast .” The band also states in the chorus, “ One finger and a fist / I’ll claw my way out any situation .” For the video, the lyrics fly at the viewer at rapid speed while set against the backdrop of computer generated visual effects mimicking hands, arms and a certain finger that appear occasionally independent of a full body. ‘One Finger and a Fist’ was offered as a free download for a limited period back in December. It’s also one of the key tracks to their first album with Moreno on vocals. Other cuts that have been heard since Moreno took over include ‘In Memory Of …, ‘ a song that was issued as a tribute to the band’s original frontman, the late Dave Williams, and their recent single, ‘ Saturday Night .’ Drowning Pool will hit the road in February, sharing the stage with another act employing a new vocalist — Flyleaf . The trek runs through March 24. Details on Drowning Pool’s new album are expected very shortly. Watch Drowning Pool’s ‘One Finger and a Fist’ Lyric Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/drowning-pool-bodies-top-21st-century-hard-rock-songs/” title=”Next: Drowning Pool – Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs” align=”center”] ?
Tool Dissectional An unidentified member of Tool recently suffered serious injuries after crashing his Vespa scooter along icy roads. The accident left the musician with several broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder, thus pushing back jamming and writing sessions meant for Tool’s massively anticipated fifth full-length album. Posted on the band’s website on Jan. 26 as a Tool newsletter, the Vespa accident was described in detail while keeping the identity of the member affected hidden. Strangely enough, yet another anonymous person involved with Tool also wound up in the hospital from a separate Vespa crash, suffering a head injury along with multiple cuts and bruises. Tool were hoping to begin 2013 with some good news that would energize fans long awaiting a new record, but unfortunately, that turned out not to be the case. However, in a turn for the better, the band is now back to work on the album. Here’s an excerpt from the latest newsletter detailing the situation: The New Year started off on a bad note as far as writing and arranging sessions for Tool’s next record. For the most part this was due to a ‘minor’ accident on a Vespa scooter (slick road conditions being the cause) by a certain band member that resulted in several broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. Because of the physical nature of the musical instrument involved, 9 DAYS of jamming were lost, although I’m happy to report that the person involved is recovering nicely, so much so, in fact, that writing sessions resumed last Monday (January 21), despite it being a holiday for many. Coincidently (?), a few days prior to the mishap on the scooter, another person involved with Tool also wound up in the hospital after crashing his Vespa in Hollywood. Although he suffered a head injury (as well as multiple cuts and bruises to his body), I’m quite certain that if you were to order an “Entaphiosis” Hoddie, you would receive an “Entaphiosis” Hoodie. Several days ago members of the press (from different magazines) conducted interviews with band members about upcoming events, and I would imagine that these writers, etc. also inquired as to how things were progressing with regards to the band’s next record. So, there’s something to look forward to reading, and I will certainly try to give updates as to when these publications hit the newsstands. I was hoping to be able to throw some of you a bone the first week of the New Year, but for certain reasons this announcement has been pushed back a month. Therefore, look for a news post that will be exciting to some towards the end of the first week in February. Maynard James Keenan and his side project Puscifer are set to release their latest EP, ‘ Donkey Punch the Night ,’ on Feb. 19. As for news on Tool’s upcoming record, stay tuned as news continues to break. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/tool-guitarist-adam-jones-proposes-to-girlfriend-wwe-royal-rumble/” title=”Tool Guitarist Adam Jones Proposes to Girlfriend Live at WWE ‘Royal Rumble'” align=”center”]