Posts Tagged ‘tour’

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”]

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”]

Overkill Bow Out of Show Due to Frontman Bobby Blitz’s Pneumonia

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Testament and Overkill have been rocking stages hard over the past month, but being out on the road during cold and flu season is not always easy. Overkill frontman Bobby Blitz has been dealing with a cold over the course of the trek that recently turned into something more serious. Overkill bowed out of the tour’s show Friday night (Feb. 15) in Huntington, N.Y, which led the band to reveal Blitz’s worsening ailment as the reason for canceling the show and potentially other dates in the immediate future. Their statement on the matter reads as follows: We are terribly sorry that we had to cancel our performance last night [February 15], but let’s put the rumors to rest, before speculation runs rampant. Blitz [singer Bobby Ellsworth] was diagnosed with what is called ‘walking pneumonia,’ and was medically advised to not perform due to it potentially getting worse if he did. When the health risk is no longer an issue, he’ll be ready to kick ass once again. Overkill’s dates with Testament and support acts Flotsam and Jetsam and 4ARM are scheduled to run through the end of the month. To see the remaining stops, click here . The band has been out on the road promoting their ‘The Electric Age’ album. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/overkill-bobby-blitz-east-coast-thrash-metal-young-fans-more/” title=”Next: Bobby Blitz Talks East Coast Thrash Metal + More” align=”center”]

Ailing Meshuggah Frontman Jens Kidman Returns for New York Show

Nuclear Blast Records Meshuggah were back at full strength Friday night (Feb. 15) in New York, even if frontman Jens Kidman was still a bit under the weather. The vocalist has been suffering from the flu and recently had to miss a couple of the band’s shows , but he triumphantly returned for the New York performance. Though Meshuggah’s voice was conspicuously absent over the past week, the band was not. The group got through their scheduled performances placing a cardboard cutout of Kidman on the stage and requesting that the audience members provide the singing for the evening while the band delivered their usual pummeling passion during the sets. Following his return to the stage Friday night, Kidman took to Facebook and posted the following message: New York! Thanks to all of you for the amazing support tonight. It has truly been some rough days for me, but I refuse to let you guys down. You rule and you never disappoint!! Hats off, /Jens Meshuggah’s Marten Hagstrom admitted that playing without Kidman was a unique experience. Speaking to the Village Voice , he explained, “The way it sounds is not that different … but it’s more the way you feel walking up onstage, not seeing the entire band, because we’ve never done this before. You’re used to being that five-piece unit, walking up and doing this together. But there’s no use in complaining about it. The only thing we can do is try to make the most out of it. We’ve travelled over here now. A lot of places we play on this tour we haven’t really played for a long time, so canceling is not an option.” It’s expected that Kidman will be able to continue with the band after returning to the stage Friday. The group’s remaining dates on the trek can be seen here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/decibel-magazine-tour-2013-must-see-metal-concerts/” title=”Next: Check Out Other 2013 Must-See Metal Concerts” align=”center”]

Testament’s Set List From Huntington, New York Live Album Performance Revealed

Nuclear Blast Records Testament took the stage at Huntington, New York’s Paramount Theatre Friday night (Feb. 15) with the primary goal of filming and recording the experience for an upcoming DVD and live album. In all, the band clocked in a 90-minute-plus performance and a set list from the show has now surfaced. As expected, there was a mix of older favorites and songs from the band’s latest album. The show began with ‘Rise Up,’ which serves as the lead off track from their most recent disc, ‘Dark Roots of Earth.’ ‘Native Blood,’ ‘True American Hate,’ and the ‘Dark Roots of Earth’ title track also made the night’s set list during the body of the show. The performance also featured a pair of encores, with the band rocking out ‘The Formation of Damnation’ during their first return and ‘Over the Wall’ and ‘Disciples of the Watch’ to close out the night. The still untitled live disc would be the band’s first concert release since 2009′s ‘Live at Eindhoven ’87.’ They also released their ‘Live in London’ DVD back in 2005 and ‘Seen Between the Lines’ on VHS in 1991. Though the entire show was recorded and the set list is offered below, things such as which songs make the cut and running order have not been decided. Singer Chuck Billy recently stated prior to the Huntington show, “We haven’t shot a live DVD or CD since our ‘Live in London’ release and we’ve had two killer albums since then. We thought it would be cool to put out a live DVD/CD focusing on the last three records (‘The Gathering,’ ‘The Formation of Damnation’ and ‘Dark Roots of Earth’) mixed in with a good amount of classics too. Last time we recorded anything live in America was for Live at the Fillmore on the West Coast. This time we thought we’d give the East Coast a chance to show the world how crazy and loud they can be. We’re going to be playing an extra-long 17 – 18 song set, which will be our lengthiest set of the tour. Let’s see all you thrashers stirring it up out there and singing along! See ya!” The band is currently on tour with Overkill , Flotsam and Jestam and 4ARM. The remaining dates of the trek can be seen here . Testament — Huntington, N.Y., Feb. 15, 2013 Set List: ‘Rise Up’ ‘More Than Meets the Eye’ ‘Burnt Offerings’ ‘Native Blood’ ‘True American Hate’ ‘Dark Roots of Earth’ ‘Into the Pit’ ‘Practice What You Preach’ ‘Riding the Snake’ ‘Eyes of Wrath’ ‘Trial By Fire’ ‘The Haunting’ ‘The New Order’ ‘D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)’ ’3 Days in Darkness’ Encore 1: ‘The Formation of Damnation’ Encore 2: ‘Over the Wall’ ‘Disciples of the Watch’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/testament-chuck-billy-touring-creating-music/” title=”Next: Chuck Billy Shares His Thoughts on Touring + Creating Music” align=”center”]

Five Finger Death Punch Eye Summer 2013 Release for Next Album

Instagram: Zoltan Bathory Five Finger Death Punch have been working on new music and fans will be happy to know that there’s now a target date for the band’s next album. Guitarist Zoltan Bathory reveals via a series of Instagram posts that 5FDP are currently recording songs in the studio and aiming for a summer 2013 release. Bathory’s photos, which can be seen here , here , and here , show him having fun jamming with the band in the studio, one with the comment, “Recording the new album. Out this summer.” Another pic teases in its caption, “At the recording studio tracking guitars for new #fivefingerdeathpunch album … Out 2013 summer – the title is … .” Bathory’s photo postings go along with drummer Jeremy Spencer’s recent comments that the band had been “cocooned up” working on a new album. In addition, guitarist Jason Hook revealed last summer that the band had taken a recording rig with them on their tour. At the time, Hook stated, “The idea behind that is just to keep the creative muscle worked out. It’s just like going to the gym; if you stop for a year, you lose all your strength. It’s easy to get lazy and get sort of soft. We’re in the business of making music; touring is great, but we should always be prepared and always exercising that creative muscle — in my opinion, anyway.” He also added that they had “six to eight songs” worked up at that point for when they headed into the studio. Hook said the preparation would make things easier once they hit the studio and gave them plenty of options to work with when it came time to record. 5FDP’s new disc will be the follow-up to 2011′s ‘American Capitalist,’ which has yielded such singles as ‘Under and Over It,’ ‘Remember Everything’ and current hit ‘The Pride.’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/five-finger-death-punch-the-pride-video/” title=”Next: Watch Five Finger Death Punch’s Video for ‘The Pride'” align=”center”]

Win a 10 Years / Young Guns Tour Prize Pack!

Liz Ramanand, Loudwire / Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com 10 Years  and  Young Guns  are embarking on a joint tour and we’re teaming up with both bands to offer fans the chance to win an amazing prize pack in conjunction with the U.S. trek. By entering our contest, you could end up with a 10 Years tour t-shirt, autographed CD, an autographed 10 Years poster and an autographed 10 Years vinyl LP. But that’s only half of it, as a Young Guns t-shirt, an autographed Young Guns CD, a Young Guns wristband and a Young Guns watch are also included in this packed-full merchandise prize pack. The two bands hit the road together Feb. 18 in Nashville, with shows booked into March. Check out a promo video for the tour, as well as the full itinerary, below. 10 Years are currently supporting their 2012 effort, ‘Minus the Machine,’ which arrived back in August. The group’s latest single, ‘Dancing With the Dead,’ has rocking radio for a while now. Meanwhile, Young Guns are enjoying a breakout year with their new album ‘Bones’ and the rapidly ascending title track from the disc. Having made some inroads on the U.S. touring circuit last year, the U.K. outfit hope to continue that momentum on the 10 Years trek. So how would you like this package of 10 Years and Young Guns autographed merchandise? To enter to win the shirts, CDs and assorted items, follow @loudwire , @10years + @YoungGunsUK  on Twitter and retweet this announcement of the contest by March 16. We’ll choose a winner at random. Good luck! If you’d rather guarantee yourself entry into one of the shows, tickets are available for purchase here . Watch the 10 Years / Young Guns Tour Trailer 10 Years / Young Guns 2013 North American Tour Dates: 2/18 — Nashville, Tenn. — Exit/In 2/19 — Columbia, Mo. — Blue Note 2/21 — Colorado Springs, Colo. — The Black Sheep 2/22 — Denver, Colo. — Marquis Theatre 2/23 — Salt Lake City, Utah — In the Venue 2/24 — Boise, Idaho — Knitting Factory 2/26 — Spokane, Wash. — Knitting Factory 2/27 — Seattle, Wash. — Studio Seven 3/2 — Reno, Nev. — Knitting Factory 3/3 — Sacramento, Calif. — Ace of Spades 3/5 — Los Angeles, Calif. — The Roxy 3/6 — Las Vegas, Nev. — Vinyl 3/8 — Tempe, Ariz. — The Marquee 3/9 — Flagstaff, Ariz — Orpheum 3/10 — Farmington, N.M. — Top Deck 3/12 — Tulsa, Okla. — The Vanguard 3/13 — Dallas, Texas — Trees 3/15 — San Antonio, Texas — Backstage Live (NO YOUNG GUNS) 3/16 – Houston, Texas — Scout Bar (NO YOUNG GUNS)