Liz Ramanand, Loudwire It’s becoming more commonplace for musicians to ask for a little financial help for their passion projects that have a smaller profile than their main bands, and As I Lay Dying ‘s Tim Lambesis is doing just that for his Austrian Death Machine project. The band, which is a hard-hitting rock outfit loosely based around the theme of Arnold Schwarzenegger catch phrases and films, is about to start work on its third disc, ‘Triple Brutal,’ and Lambesis has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help fund it. Much like other websites used to fund such projects, Lambesis has offered a number of incentives to get fans to donate in order to complete the new album. The frontman says, “The past couple years of my life have been really busy with As I Lay Dying tours, kids, and life in general. While I’ve always wanted to do a third Austrian Death Machine record, it became harder and harder to justify the time. I have however found enough time and made it a priority to get in better shape. Maybe it’s partly because of that, but for whatever reason, a huge percentage of fans started asking me for a new ADM record on the last couple tours … I’m launching this campaign because I believe these are all things that you guys want, and if that’s the case — it justifies leaving the rest of my life unorganized for a while when I focus on Austrian Death Machine.” Lambesis had some fun coming up with the campaign incentives, with two people having the chance to have their initials tattooed on his butt and then enjoying dinner with him after to celebrate. That’s the high-end prize, going for a $5,000 donation. Some of the other lesser cost but still entertaining offers include the chance to punch Tim in the abs as hard as you can. That goes for $99 and he must be fairly confident in his body as he’s offered 33 opportunities for people to receive that option. There’s also 15 opportunities at $500 a pop where Lambesis will serve as your personal trainer for a month. You could also have the singer wear a shirt with your photo on it at shows. That goes for $250. Smaller priced items include early digital downloads, exclusive digipacks, signed vinyl copies of the new ‘Triple Brutal’ record, t-shirt and CD bundles and a ‘Triple Brutal’ pack that comes with the digipack, a workout book and an eating plan designed by Lambesis. To see all the donation options, visit Austrian Death Machine’s Indiegogo campaign here . He’s seeking to reach $63,000 raised with 45 days still left in the campaign. He adds that if he exceeds the goal, the remaining money will be used to fund a ‘Triple Brutal TerminaTour.’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/as-i-lay-dying-metal-band-of-the-year-2012-loudwire-music-awards/” title=”Next: As I Lay Dying Voted Loudwire’s 2012 Metal Band of the Year” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire It’s becoming more commonplace for musicians to ask for a little financial help for their passion projects that have a smaller profile than their main bands, and As I Lay Dying ‘s Tim Lambesis is doing just that for his Austrian Death Machine project. The band, which is a hard-hitting rock outfit loosely based around the theme of Arnold Schwarzenegger catch phrases and films, is about to start work on its third disc, ‘Triple Brutal,’ and Lambesis has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help fund it. Much like other websites used to fund such projects, Lambesis has offered a number of incentives to get fans to donate in order to complete the new album. The frontman says, “The past couple years of my life have been really busy with As I Lay Dying tours, kids, and life in general. While I’ve always wanted to do a third Austrian Death Machine record, it became harder and harder to justify the time. I have however found enough time and made it a priority to get in better shape. Maybe it’s partly because of that, but for whatever reason, a huge percentage of fans started asking me for a new ADM record on the last couple tours … I’m launching this campaign because I believe these are all things that you guys want, and if that’s the case — it justifies leaving the rest of my life unorganized for a while when I focus on Austrian Death Machine.” Lambesis had some fun coming up with the campaign incentives, with two people having the chance to have their initials tattooed on his butt and then enjoying dinner with him after to celebrate. That’s the high-end prize, going for a $5,000 donation. Some of the other lesser cost but still entertaining offers include the chance to punch Tim in the abs as hard as you can. That goes for $99 and he must be fairly confident in his body as he’s offered 33 opportunities for people to receive that option. There’s also 15 opportunities at $500 a pop where Lambesis will serve as your personal trainer for a month. You could also have the singer wear a shirt with your photo on it at shows. That goes for $250. Smaller priced items include early digital downloads, exclusive digipacks, signed vinyl copies of the new ‘Triple Brutal’ record, t-shirt and CD bundles and a ‘Triple Brutal’ pack that comes with the digipack, a workout book and an eating plan designed by Lambesis. To see all the donation options, visit Austrian Death Machine’s Indiegogo campaign here . He’s seeking to reach $63,000 raised with 45 days still left in the campaign. He adds that if he exceeds the goal, the remaining money will be used to fund a ‘Triple Brutal TerminaTour.’ [button href=”http://loudwire.com/as-i-lay-dying-metal-band-of-the-year-2012-loudwire-music-awards/” title=”Next: As I Lay Dying Voted Loudwire’s 2012 Metal Band of the Year” align=”center”]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire New York is no stranger to Gojira , and the band did not disappoint during the last show of their U.S. tour. The French metallers destroyed Irving Plaza last night (Feb. 19) with help from the Devin Townsend Project and the Atlas Moth. As a makeup date for a snowed out Feb. 8 gig, the show was the band’s second consecutive concert in New York (after playing the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on Feb. 18). After numerous “Gojira” chants, the band exploded onto the stage with their aptly titled track ‘Explosia’ and went on to play other songs from their latest album like the title track ‘L’Enfant Sauvage’ and ‘The Axe.’ Among the highlights of the set was drummer Mario Duplantier switching places with his frontman brother Joe Duplantier. The stickman delivered some serious guttural vocals while Joe held his own behind the drum kit. While the band did not play ‘Liquid Fire,’ an infectious song which graced previous setlists, they did play some tunes for the diehards, such as ‘Flying Whales,’ ‘Backbone,’ ‘Wisdom Comes,’ and ‘Oroborus.’ Gojira ended their set with and old fan favorite ‘Vacuity’ and a new fan favorite ‘The Gift of Guilt.’ The band as a whole continue to get better and sweatier onstage and they set the bar high when it comes to the art of forceful live performances. Devin Townsend is one of the most animated and charismatic performers you can ever see live. With significant facial expressions and mind-blowing vocals, it’s safe to say that Townsend is a truly talented (and hilarious) individual. When you combine that sort of talent with a kick-ass band, the sparks fly onstage. The chemistry and magnetism of the group as a whole is infectious, to say the least. The Devin Townsend Project performed a setlist that was far too short but included tracks like ‘More,’ ‘Kingdom,’ ’Lucky Animals,’ ‘Planet of the Apes,’ ‘War’ ‘Juular,’ and of course, ‘Grace.’ Chicago based band The Atlas Moth kicked off the night with their sludgy, metal, psychedelic sound. Photos of Gojira and the Devin Townsend Project at Irving Plaza in NYC Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Devin Townsend Project Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Liz Ramanand, Loudwire
Epic Records Pearl Jam ‘s ‘Ten’ album had already achieved diamond certification for shipping more than 10 million copies, but the landmark record has now officially sold more than 10 million copies. Billboard reports that this past week the album sold nearly 4,000 copies, which helped it pass the milestone. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the disc became the 22nd album to reach the mark since Nielsen began tracking sales data in 1991. Since the start of that period, Metallica ‘s self-titled “black” album holds the mark for sales, moving 15.86 million copies. ‘Ten’ launched Pearl Jam’s career in 1991, beginning with the breakout single ‘Alive,’ followed by the furious energy of ‘Even Flow’ and the major MTV hit ‘Jeremy.’ In addition, the song ‘Black’ got plenty of radio play and tracks like ‘Why Go,’ ‘Once,’ and ‘Oceans’ became fan favorites. Pearl Jam are currently working on a new album and have booked a handful of dates this summer, including a show at Chicago’s Wrigley Field . [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-pearl-jam-songs/” title=”10 Best Pearl Jam Songs” align=”center”]
Ipecac Records / Photo by Tim Moss Tomahawk just finished their West Coast swing in support of the ‘Oddfellows’ album and have just announced a new string of dates in June that will take them to the Eastern part of the United States. The trek launches June 1 in Boston at the Paradise Rock Club and continues through New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. before the finale June 7 at The Vic in Chicago. The dates come after a busy spring that also sees the band performing in Australia and South America. While on their West Coast leg, frontman Mike Patton and Co. let the cameras from NBC’s ‘Last Call With Carson Daly’ catch part of their set and the group will be featured on two tracks during the late night show’s Feb. 27 broadcast. ‘Oddfellows’ arrived in stores last month and has already spawned a pair of tracks. The video for ‘Stone Letter’ can be seen here , while the music video for the ‘Oddfellows’ title track premiered on Loudwire just last month. Tomahawk 2013 Tour: 2/23 — Brisbane, Australia — RNA Showgrounds 2/24 — Sydney, Australia — Olympic Park 2/26 — Sydney, Australia — The Metro 2/27 — Melbourne, Australia — Billboard 3/1 — Melbourne, Australia — Flemington Racecourse 3/2 — Adelaide, Australia — Bonython Park 3/4 — Perth, Australia — Claremont Showground 3/30 — Sao Paulo, Brazil — Lollapalooza 4/2 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — Malvinas Argentinas Stadium 4/4 — Santiago, Chile — Teatro La Cupula del Parque O’Higgins 4/6 — Santiago, Chile — Lollapalooza 6/1 — Boston, Mass. — Paradise Rock Club 6/2 — New York, N.Y. — Best Buy Theater 6/4 — Philadelphia, Pa. — Union Transfer 6/5 — Washington, D.C. — 9:30 Club 6/7 — Chicago, Ill. — Vic Theatre [button href=”http://loudwire.com/rocklahoma-2013-must-see-rock-concerts/” title=”Next: Check Out 2013’s Must-See Rock Concerts” align=”center”]
YouTube Here’s a video that will scramble your brains … Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has just filmed a commercial for furniture and design company Walter E. Smithe. Set in a wrestling ring, chaos unfolds as a game of musical chairs goes awry. Of course, chairs are a staple of any legit wrestling organization, which leads to a strange dilemma in the mind of Corgan, who is a rabid wrestling fan and promoter. Billy Corgan launched Resistance Pro wrestling with brothers Jacques and Gabe Baron in November 2011. Since its inception, wrestling legends such as The Sheik, Raven, Colt Cabana and Teddy Hart have graced the threshold of Resistance Pro, and although the promotion acts as the main focus for Corgan’s new commercial, the ad eventually reveals itself to be for Walter E. Smithe furniture. We’ve all played musical chairs in our youth, and both casual and seasoned musical chairs competitors understand the intensity which exists within the game. Thus, when Billy Corgan bested another musical chairs challenger, an all-out brawl took place in the middle of the squared circle. Though Corgan stood outside the ropes maniacally enjoying the impromptu fight, he was forced to quench the in-ring fire as an ill-faded wrestler was about to smash a lovely Walter E. Smithe chair over an enemy. “Wait!,” Corgan warned. “That’s a Walter E. Smithe chair.” “I am proud of Resistance Pro’s growing popularity,” says Corgan. “Tim Smithe and his brothers presented us with the opportunity to share our brand. I’m grateful to the Smithe brothers for their $50,000 donation to PAWS, a charity that is important to me.” PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) is a Chicago-based no-kill shelter for homeless pets, which Billy Corgan has raised over $140,000 for in 2013 alone. Billy Corgan’s Resistance Pro wrestling organization is set to host their fourth event, ‘Obsession,’ on March 23. To see the frontman’s new commercial, check out the video player below! Billy Corgan Appears in Walter E. Smithe Commercial [button href=”http://loudwire.com/james-iha-on-smashing-pumpkins-reunion-never-say-never/” title=”James Iha on Smashing Pumpkins Reunion: ‘Never Say Never'” align=”center”]
Photo by David L Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Today marks the 10-year anniversary of perhaps the greatest tragedy in the history of rock concerts. On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003, 100 people were killed in West Warwick, R.I. when The Station nightclub’s sound insulation caught fire due to a stray pyrotechnic flame from Great White ‘s stage show. Once the initial spark took, it didn’t take long for the club to become fully-engulfed, sending most of the audience into a panicked frenzy trying to escape the blaze. In addition to the 100 people who perished in the incident, there were an additional 230 people injured in the blaze. Meanwhile, another 132 people escaped the venue free of injury. Great White had just started their performance when the band’s tour manager, Daniel Biechele, set off the pyrotechnics as the group performed their song ‘Desert Moon.’ Though the fire happened in 2003, Biechele’s case didn’t go to trial until 2006. The emotional former manager pled guilty to over 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter In his statement to the court, Biechele explained, “For three years, I’ve wanted to be able to speak to the people that were affected by this tragedy, but I know there’s nothing that I can say or do that will undo what happened that night. Since the fire I have wanted to tell the victims and their families how truly sorry I am for what happened that night and the part I had in it. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. I never imagined that anyone ever would be … I’m so sorry for what I have done and I don’t want to cause anyone any more pain. I will never forget that night and I will never forget the people that were hurt by it. I am so sorry.” For his part in the incident, Biechele was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with four years mandatory to serve and the final 11 years suspended. However, he was granted an early release in September of 2007 after some of the victims’ families spoke on his behalf. By March 2008, Biechele was released from jail. In addition, The Station nightclub’s owners Jeffrey A. and Michael A. Derderian were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers compensation insurance for their employees, four of whom died in the blaze. Much like Biechele, the Derderian brothers were sentenced for their roles in the blaze. Michael’s sentence was 15 years, with four to serve and 11 suspended, while Jeffrey’s was a 10-year suspended sentence with three years’ probation and 500 hours of community service. In 2008, Michael Derderian was granted an early release from prison and by June 2009 he was released. As for Great White, they suffered the loss of their guitarist Ty Longley in the blaze and were deeply affected by the tragedy. In the time since, the band has played many a benefit tour. They also offered a $1 million settlement to survivors and their families, the maximum amount allowed under their insurance plan. Memories of the tragic Station fire were recalled recently when more that 230 people perished in a nightclub in Brazil earlier this month. However, for American audiences, the Station fire remains one of rock music’s most horrific incidents. On the tenth anniversary of the tragedy, Loudwire reflects and send our prayers to the families and victims of those affected by The Station nightclub fire. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/brazil-nightclub-fire-kills-more-than-230-people/” title=”Next: Brazilian Nightclub Fire Kills 230 People” align=”center”]