Spencer Kaufman, Loudwire Green Day were planning to head up the 2012 Voodoo Music + Arts Experience over Halloween weekend, but given singer Billie Joe Armstrong ‘s recent entry into rehab for treatment of substance abuse issues, they’ve now bowed out of the performance. The timing has not been the best in the world for Green Day, as the singer’s meltdown at the iHeart Music Festival in Las Vegas and subsequent rehab announcement came just ahead of the release of the group’s ‘¡Uno!’ album. At the time, the band issued a statement apologizing for the incident at the Las Vegas event, revealing Armstrong’s decision to attend rehab, and regretfully announcing that some of their promotional appearances would be postponed as a result. Drummer Tre Cool issued the band’s statement on their exit from the Voodoo Experience. It read: Canceling shows is something we rarely do. We never want to let our fans down, and we are grateful for all of you being understanding during this time. Meanwhile, Voodoo Music + Arts Experience organizers, Rehage Entertainment, issued their own statement on the matter. It read: We, like everyone, were looking forward to having Green Day back at Voodoo. Their 2004 performance was one of the festival’s greatest. We are obviously disappointed in the news, but realize the health and well being of Billie Joe is the most important thing right now. We wish him and the entire Green Day family the best and offer them our full support. The Voodoo Experience will go on without Green Day. The festival runs Oct. 26-28 at New Orleans’ City Park. Even without Green Day, the lineup is pretty solid. Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the Avett Brothers , Justice, Silversun Pickups , AWOLNATION, Jack White , Skrillex , and Coheed & Cambria are among the top performers on this year’s bill. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/green-day-mike-dirnt-we-had-to-put-billie-joe-armstrong-life-in-front-of-everything/” title=”Next: Green Day’s Mike Dirnt Addresses Billie Joe Armstrong Issues” align=”center”]
Danko Jones – YouTube Channel Danko Jones are back with a blistering new track called ‘Just a Beautiful Day’ and Loudwire is proud to present the exclusive video premiere of the performance-based clip, which shows the raw energy of what the band put into the song. The track has a very percussive feel, with the band’s new drummer — Atom Willard, formerly of Rocket From the Crypt, the Offspring, Angels & Airwaves and Social Distortion — pounding away on the skins at a frenetic pace. In addition, both Danko Jones and his longtime bass counterpart John ‘JC’ Calabrese provide the driving track with some crunchy riffage. Calabrese told Loudwire, “I’m glad that that’s been the song to represent this record in a way because it has a lot of elements to it that are rocking and have a lot of melody.” Having spent so much time on their last record cranking out videos with special guests like Elijah Wood, Lemmy Kilmister , Selma Blair, and Ralph Macchio, singer Danko Jones said it was time for the band to go back to the basics for the ‘Just a Beautiful Day’ shoot. “We did so much with the last record in terms of stars and storyline and it was a big to-do that I think the only natural thing to do was to take it back,” explained Jones. “If we tried to follow up on what we did for the last record with all the celebrities and stuff we’d just become like that band that has all the famous people in their videos – more famous than them. So it was good to just take it a step back. It’s cool. I definitely like it.” The black-and-white performance piece was shot by The Diamond Brothers, who’ve previously worked with the band on past videos as well as the recent documentary, ‘Bring on the Mountain.’ The clip, shot in a New York loft, finds the band pouring every ounce of adrenaline into the track possible while the camera shot blur in and out of focus mirroring the ferocity of the track. ‘Just a Beautiful Day’ is the lead single from the band’s new album, ‘ Rock and Roll Is Black and Blue ,’ due Oct. 9. Pre-order the disc here . Watch Danko Jones’ ‘Just a Beautiful Day’ Video [button href=”http://loudwire.com/australia-2013-soundwave-festival-metallica-linkin-park-a-perfect-circle-stone-sour-anthrax-more/” title=”Next: Danko Jones Playing Australia’s Soundwave 2013 Fest” align=”center”]
Prospect Park Congrats are in order for Five Finger Death Punch , as the group’s latest record, ‘ American Capitalist ,’ has been certified gold for shipping over 500,000 copies in the United States. The band’s previous two albums — 2007′s ‘The Way of the Fist’ and 2009′s ‘War Is the Answer’ — also achieved the mark. ‘American Capitalist’ shot out of the gate with a solid start, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album chart back in October 2011. Guitarist Zoltan Bathory says of the accomplishment, “I think it’s a huge win for all of us, not just for us as a band but for the entire genre of hard rock and heavy metal. This is a loud and clear indicator that heavy music is in demand and if a relatively new band like us can accomplish something like this, then maybe this is just the prelude for the shape of things to come.” The album sales also coincide with the band’s chart success with their singles, as the group has surpassed 3.6 million songs sold. In total, the group has scored ten Top 10 singles at Active Rock radio and a No. 1 song with the current single ‘ Coming Down .’ Singer Ivan Moody says, “Radio stations across the U.S., and basically the whole world, have been very supportive of the band. We are grateful and remain indebted to them for stepping behind us, and as our fan base continues to grow year after year, it is clear that rock radio is far from dead. People are listening.” Five Finger Death Punch spent the summer headlining the Trespass America tour, and they’re currently catching a breather before finishing up 2012 with their performance on the Shiprocked Cruise leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Fla,. on Nov. 27. Guitarist Jason Hook recently stated that the group is looking ahead to the ‘American Capitalist’ follow-up and have an eye toward January to start work on the effort. [button href=”http://loudwire.com/five-finger-death-punch-invite-next-generation-of-heavy-metal-onstage/” title=”Next: Five Finger Death Punch Teach Next Generation of Metal” align=”center”]
Metal Blade Records As I Lay Dying have been on the scene for more than a decade now, and they are back with their sixth studio album ‘Awakened.’ In the fickle, ever-changing world of trends and short attention spans, it can be difficult to build a lasting fan base, especially in the metalcore genre. However, AILD has managed to develop a sound that is consistent and recognizable. All the ingredients from past AILD albums are on ‘Awakened’ – a mix of harsh and melodic vocals, catchy hooks, palm-muted guitars and monster breakdowns. But, the band has refined and enhanced those ingredients, resulting in a highly polished product. Eschewing a long intro or interlude, ‘Awakened’ begins with vocalist Tim Lambesis taking a breath, letting out a scream, then yelling ‘Go!’ ‘Cauterize’ gallops along for a bit, then eases back with melodic vocals from bassist Josh Gilbert. It has all the elements expected from a metalcore song, including a big breakdown, but it is executed so flawlessly and has so many catchy moments. Gang vocals are in full force on ‘A Greater Foundation,’ which is bound to get the crowd moving in a live setting. One area that has really improved on ‘Awakened’ is the guitar solos. Phil Sgrosso and Nick Hipa are showcased on several songs, with effective solos on songs such as “Resilience” and “Whispering Silence.” After working with Adam Dutkiewicz (Killswitch Engage) on their last two albums, As I Lay Dying turned to Bill Stevenson (NOFX, Black Flag) for their latest album. The sound on ‘Awakened’ is pristine without being sterile, and doesn’t dilute any of the heaviness or tone down the cranium rattling breakdowns. It’s hard for any band with screaming vocals to break into the mainstream, but AILD has songs that are very accessible. ‘Overcome’ has a memorable chorus and inspirational message along with plenty of punch that’s aggressive without being oppressive. Speaking of vocals, Lambesis steps up his performance on the album. He shows more diversity in terms of tone, emotion and intensity, while Gilbert’s delivers rock-solid clean vocals on the disc. ‘Awakened’ is not breaking new ground when it comes to metalcore music, but if you want an expertly executed, well-written album, As I Lay Dying deliver the goods.
Mark Tremonti will be playing Chicago this weekend, just not in the venue initially planned. The Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist has ceded his solo band’s show at the House of Blues for the Bottom Lounge after receiving a request from Prince to move the performance. The show was originally supposed to take place at the House of Blues at 7:30PM Sunday (Sept. 23) night, but the legendary “purple one”
Green Day brought a new track to the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards last night (Sept. 6) when they performed the song, ‘Let Yourself Go’ in the middle of the audience. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told MTV on the red carpet that he was going to “create some chaos” with their performance, and he did just that. In the middle of Green Day’s performance of ‘Let Yourself Go,’ the band
Slipknot is putting the final scheduling touches on their inaugural Knotfest event, powered by Rockstar Energy Drink, and the Midwest may never be the same afterward. The group has revealed the performance lineup and set times for both the Council Bluffs, Iowa and Minneapolis, Minn. dates on Aug. 17 and 18. For the Council Bluffs show, doors open at the Mid-American Motor Complex with Dirtfedd, Prong, The Urge, Serj Tankian,