Rick Diamond, Getty Images Pearl Jam are working on a new album, but still really don’t have a timeline on when fans can expect it. Bassist Jeff Ament tells Guerilla Candy that even though the band has made some headway , there’s still a long way to go before it’s complete and there’s no rush to finish it. The bassist says, “There really are no plans right now [for 2013]. We have a few shows in South America on the calendar and that’s about it. I think that’s by design. I think the idea is that everybody takes the holidays off and then at some point somebody will pick up the phone, maybe late January or early February, and that will kind of start the [recording] process over again.” Ament says he’s constantly asked about the next Pearl Jam record, but admits that it’s hard to discuss as it hasn’t taken its full form as of yet. He adds, “We still don’t know exactly when we will finish it, so it’s hard to talk about it. It really could be anything at this point. Even though we have seven or eight songs recorded, it’s still sort of a blank slate and that’s exciting.” However, the bassist says that fans shouldn’t worry about the band’s future. He adds, “I don’t think there’s any doubt we’re going to make a record, but when that’s going to be, and when everybody is ready to do it, well that’s another story. And there’s no pressure. So if at any point the guys called up and said, ‘Hey, we’re ready to do this,’ I’d have no problem dropping everything because that’s my first love. I’m going to do whatever works for everyone else.” Ament is well aware of the potential problems of taking too much time, and says he doesn’t envision a Guns N’ Roses situation where ‘Chinese Democracy’ ended up taking a decade-plus to finalize. He adds, “Every day you’re going to improve as a writer and your take on things might be different. At some point you just have to let go and move on to the next thing. That’s always the tricky part of being in a band. When is it good enough? When is there too much paint on the canvas and when isn’t there too much paint on the canvas? That’s always a tricky balance.” [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-grunge-bands/” title=”Next: Top 10 Grunge Bands” align=”center”]
Ethan Miller, Getty Images Three Days Grace are usually pretty good about signing on for causes, but bassist Brad Walst has a personal reason for participating in the James Fund’s walk-run fundraiser for neuroblastoma research. His young son was diagnosed as having a cancerous neuroblastoma tumor several years ago. Walst will join the group of runners and walkers around the world in taking part in the international event on Oct. 28. He’s started a page where fans can sponsor his participation. It’s his goal to reach $3,000 in donations and at last check he’d raised 46 percent of the figure with just over $1,400 contributed. In the seven years the James Fund has been in existence over $275,000 has been raised for neuroblastoma research. Walst posted a photo of his son James rocking out at the Rockstar Uproar Tour earlier this year, along with his personal appeal for support. His message read: Hello Everyone… On October 28, 2012, I will be participating in the Walk/Run for The James Fund. Four years ago, my life was changed forever when I heard the dreaded news that my son James (who hadn’t even celebrated his second birthday yet) had neuroblastoma, one of the most devastating childhood cancers. When I look back on all that he has been through, it is still shocking to know that his tiny spine has been taken apart and put back together again (not once, but twice!) to rid his body of this awful disease. It has been over 3 years since his tumor has stabilized – James is one of the lucky ones. Not all children with neuroblastoma are as lucky, in fact the majority are not. This is the reason we support the James Fund. In the past 4 years the supporters of our team James Rocks! have raised over $65,000 for the Walk/Run! There are no words to express our extreme gratitude – THANK-YOU!! This year’s event will support a national Neuroblastoma Drug Discovery Project to discover new drugs to treat neuroblastoma. This project has many facets, from the lab bench to the clinic.?? There are no cures for neuroblastoma, and it is the goal of the Drug Discovery Project to discover an effective treatment to save our kids. Sincerely,? Brad Walst — Three Days Grace To find out more about the James Fund organization and the upcoming walk-run, check here . To make a personal donation sponsoring Walst, visit his sponsorship page here . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-transit-of-venus-album-review/” title=”Next: Three Days Grace ‘Transit of Venus’ – Album Review” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com There will continue to be two Queensryche s, at least for the time being, as a Washington state judge ruled Friday (Oct. 19) in favor of Geoff Tate , allowing the singer to perform with his own version of the group after being ousted from his former band earlier this year. Billboard reports that Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira denied a motion for a partial summary judgment that had been filed by guitarist Michael Wilton, drummer Scott Rockenfield and bassist Eddie Jackson last month attempting to keep Tate from using the name. Jackson stated in a recent interview with Billboard that the announcement of a Tate-led Queensryche lineup that was planning to tour and record led to confusion amongst their fans. Earlier this year, Tate’s attempts to keep his former bandmates from touring under the Queensryche name, but with a different vocalist, were denied . However, at the time of the July ruling, Schapira stated that there was not enough information given that would keep her from letting Tate use the moniker as well. The members of Queensryche issued a statement to Billboard which read: Queensryche is disappointed in the denial of the motion to prevent our former vocalist from using our name, but we respect the court’s decision to do so. That said, we apologize for any confusion to our fans that a second entity sharing our name may cause. We look forward to seeing all of you on the road and bringing you new Queensryche music in the near future. Thank you all for your continued support, and for now we will just have to let the rocking do the talking. Tate has also filed suit for wrongful termination, while the band countersued claiming creative obstruction and violent behavior. Should the cases proceed to trial without a settlement, the court date is set for Nov. 18, 2013. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/geoff-tate-unveils-cover-art-track-listing-for-solo-album-kings-thieves/” title=”Next: Geoff Tate Reveals Solo Album Details” align=”center”]
Theo Wargo, Getty Images / Facebook: Jaco Pastorius Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo is just about finished with the documentary honoring his idol, Jaco Pastorius, and he’s ready to share a bit of the film with a crowd that would truly enjoy it — the audience members at this weekend’s Bass Player LIVE! bash in Hollywood. Back in May, Trujillo revealed that he was financing the project on Pastorius , who is considered one of the most influential bassists in music history despite his battles with mental illness and his death at an early age. Trujillo said at the time, “Jaco was my hero growing up. Hearing him was like hearing Eddie Van Halen doing ‘Eruption’ for the first time. You thought, ‘What instrument is that?’ I love jazz fusion and branched out from there. But Jaco had an edge that far exceeded his jazz persona. He was funk, he was rock, he was soul, and his whole attitude was punk.” Trujillo has created a specially-edited advance clip of his documentary specifically for the Bass Player LIVE crowd. In addition, Pastorius’ family will be on hand to accept the bass great’s posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. Other honorees at the two-day bash (Oct. 20-21) include Yes ‘ Chris Squire and Bob Marley’s Aston “Family Man” Barrett, who are also receiving Lifetime Achievement honors. Both musicians will perform during tonight’s concert and appear at the live clinic for interviews. The weekend will also give bass players a chance to check out the latest in gear and watch a few clinics, with Anthrax ‘s Frank Bello , Megadeth ‘s David Ellefson , Whitesnake ‘s Marco Mendoza all on hand to take part in the exhibitions. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-metallica-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Metallica Songs” align=”center”]
Mary Oullette, SheWillShootYou.com Here’s a look at the top stories of the day on Loudwire and around the Web: – Marilyn Manson is definitely a wild card. The rocker revealed he once met John Mayer and considered walking off with one of the singer’s $20,000 Rolex watches. [ Loudwire ] – The Guns N’ Roses Las Vegas residency is getting closer, so why not check out the 10 Best Guns N’ Roses Songs list to build the excitement. [ Loudwire ] – Gwar ‘s Oderus Urungus can sure talk the talk. In a recent interview, he slammed Rob Zombie and took credit for Slipknot ‘s success. [ Loudwire ] – Aerosmith are ready to show off their new video for their latest single, ‘What Could Have Been Love.’ [ Ultimate Classic Rock ] – The Offspring , Foo Fighters , Sonic Youth — they all got a nice boost when recognizable actors turned up in their videos. Check out the list of the greatest music videos starring Hollywood celebrities. [ Diffuser.fm ] – The Agonist are giving fans a little tease of their new music by posting a trailer for their upcoming video, ‘Panophobia.’ [ Rock Music Report ]
OzzfestJapan.com Any band will tell you that it’s always a treat to tour Japan. The Japanese metal music fans are among the most passionate on the planet and are always rabid to see their favorite acts. Surely with the fans in mind, it has been officially announced that the famous Ozzfest will be making its first trip to Japan in May 2013. Ozzfest will be hitting Japan on May 11 & 12, 2013. No bands have been confirmed as of this posting, but the official Ozzfest Japan website has been launched, which features a video announcement straight from Sharon Osbourne , the festival organizer wife of Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne . “Ozzy and I want to tell you that [in] May 2013, we’ll be bringing Ozzfest to Japan for the first time ever,” begins Sharon. “We are so excited. Please be there because we love you, Japan.” In other intercontinental metal news, Sharon also recently told Australian radio station Triple M that Black Sabbath will be headed down under in 2013. “They are going to be touring here in the spring of next year, definitely.” Could that mean Sabbath are headlining Ozzfest Japan, as well? Stay tuned for more Ozzfest Japan news as details are unveiled. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/oderus-urungus-vs-ozzy-osbourne-president-of-heavy-metal-election-round-1/” title=”Next: Ozzy Competes for President of Heavy Metal” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com In this week’s edition of Loudwire’s Top 20 Countdown, Three Days Grace remain steady at the top spot with their single ‘Chalk Outline’ off of their new album ‘Transit of Venus.’ Halestorm come in at No. 2 for the fifth week in a row with their single ‘I Miss the Misery’ off of their latest album ‘The Strange Case Of…’ Stone Sour move up a spot to come in at No. 3 this week with their new track ‘Absolute Zero,’ while Papa Roach come in fourth with their single ‘Still Swingin.’ Seether and their latest single ‘Here and Now’ climb a spot to round out the top five. Other songs on the list include Soundgarden ’s new tune ‘ Been Away Too Long,’ Linkin Park ’s ‘Lost in the Echo’ and Slash ’s new single ‘Standing in the Sun’ featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators. Young Guns appear on this week’s Top 20 with their radio single ‘Bones’ to round out the list. Check out the Top 20 songs below and be sure to tune in to Loudwire Radio this weekend to blast these tracks at full volume. Loudwire Radio Top 20 Songs of the Week: 20. Young Guns, ‘Bones’ 19. Chevelle, ‘Same Old Trip’ 18. Pop Evil, ‘Purple’ 17. All That Remains, ‘Stand Up (Stand Up)’ 16. Gaslight Anthem, ‘45’ 15. The Black Keys, ‘Little Black Submarines’ 14. Volbeat, ‘Heaven Nor Hell’ 13. P.O.D, ‘Lost in Forever’ 12. Avenged Sevenfold, ‘Carry On’ 11. In This Moment, ‘Blood’ 10. Green Day ‘Let Yourself Go’ 09. Shinedown, ‘Enemies’ 08. Slash, ‘Standing In The Sun’ 07. Linkin Park, ‘Lost In The Echo’ 06. Soundgarden, ‘Been Away Too Long’ 05. Seether, ‘Here and Now’ 04. Papa Roach, ‘Still Swingin’ 03. Stone Sour, ‘Absolute Zero’ 02. Halestorm, ‘I Miss the Misery’ 01. Three Days Grace, ‘Chalk Outline’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/loudwire-radio-station-list/” title=”See Which Stations Air Loudwire Radio” align=”center”]