Posts Tagged ‘solo’

Godsmack’s Sully Erna Revisits Poker Passion

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Godsmack ‘s planned year-long break in the schedule is not only giving frontman Sully Erna a chance to pursue his solo career, but he’s also taking the time to revive one of his other passions — poker. The musician tells ESPN that after stepping away from the card game for a few years, he’s gotten the itch to compete in poker tournaments again. In 2006 and 2007, Erna took part in the World Series of Poker competitions, winning $17,730 his first year and banking another $45,422 the following year. Then he took home $307,325 in the 2007 Five-Diamond World Poker Classic. But Erna says that his mindset wasn’t right to keep it up. He explains, “I was finding that I was very impatient and playing crappy hands. I was losing patience every time I was playing. I had to take a break. [But] I’m making a comeback! I’ve studied the game. I’m getting the itch to play poker again. In fact, I’m in Los Angeles today and I’ll be playing tonight. I need to shake the rust off. I’m ready to go deep and win a lot of money!” Erna says he felt the timing was right to pick up poker again. “I’ve been bouncing around testing out my game,” says the vocalist. “That’s why many of my venues for the solo shows are in casinos. I love that environment. It works to my advantage, also it’s a transient audience. I can’t wait.” Sully has booked a solo tour later this spring, promoting both his ‘Avalon’ solo disc and the works of Godsmack. Check out the tour dates here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/favorite-godsmack-song-readers-poll/” title=”Next: Favorite Godsmack Song – Readers Poll” align=”center”]

Phil Anselmo Eyes Summer Release for Solo Album

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Pantera / Down singer  Phil Anselmo  fans will get a taste of his solo material Tuesday, Jan. 8, with the release of the split EP titled ‘ War of the Gargantuas ‘ with Warbeast . But, Anselmo s ays that his two songs on the split are not in the same vein as his upcoming solo album. “I think those songs are still a far cry from the full-length that will be coming out this upcoming summer though,” Anselmo tells ArtistDirect.com . “To me, they’re more in line with the straight ahead songs I’ve come up with. Be prepared for a different listen when you hear the upcoming full-length. I wanted to do something different with a lot of f–king energy that would, I guess, come off as faster or more energetic than your basic fast playing at a million miles an hour with blast beats.” When it comes to his lyrical approach, Anselmo said it’s much more direct than his band Down . “With the Down lyrics, the listeners can take them and interpret them in their own ways. With the solo s–t, I’m being very direct. There isn’t any wordplay. There isn’t any hidden message. It’s all right there in front of you. There it is.” For more from Anselmo, read the full interview at ArtistDirect.com . And listen to samples from the Anselmo / Warbeast split EP here . Meanwhile, Down and Warbeast kick off a U.S. tour Friday in Houston, Texas. Down are touring in support of ‘Down IV Part I – The Purple EP,’ which was released in September. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/down-new-musical-directions-recording-while-still-alive-being-handsome/” title=”Watch Loudwire’s Video Interview With Down” align=”center”] ?

Wolfgang Van Halen + Mark Tremonti Talk About Joining Forces for Current Tour

Tremonti, the solo project of Creed/Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti, recently kicked off their first tour, but it was not without a few bumps in the road. Days before the tour was set to get under way, bassist Brian Marshall had to bow out due to personal reasons, leaving Tremonti without a bassist. After a quick phone call to a friend, Tremonti had a new bassist with quite a pedigree

Latest Static-X Bassist Brent Ashley Exits Band

Static-X are once again down a bassist, as the band’s latest four-string player, Brent Ashley, has just announced his exit from the group. Ashley was brought in to fill the void left by the group’s long-standing bassist Tony Campos, who split with Wayne Static and his group on less than amicable terms. The timing of Campos’ exit coincided with Static’s decision to pursue his solo project, but when the vocalist

System of a Down Drummer John Dolmayan Exits Scars on Broadway

System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan has worked with various artists since the band’s hiatus in 2006. Along with contributing to the solo career of System frontman Serj Tankian, Dolmayan has been the drummer for the Daron Malakian side project Scars on Broadway. However, in a recent interview, Dolmayan revealed that he is no longer a member of Scars on Broadway, despite the band currently working on a new

Bush Frontman Gavin Rossdale Feels Solo Career Was ‘Almost a Douche-Bag Route’

When Bush disbanded in 2002, frontman Gavin Rossdale formed a new band called Institute. Institute released one album before Rossdale moved on to his solo career, releasing ‘Wanderlust’ in 2008. Now in 2012 Rossdale is back in Bush, where he feels he truly belongs. In a new interview with Classic Rock Magazine (via Big Pond News) the frontman discusses his career even going as far as calling his solo disc

Sebastian Bach Favors Solo Life, But Open to Skid Row Reunion

Sebastian Bach may still be known for his early days in Skid Row to some extent, but the singer has been a solo artist over the past decade and has had some time to reflect on both experiences. Bach tells the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram that he prefers the solo artist route, explaining, “It’s easier … because I don’t have to have a meeting with everybody about the color of the