Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com Linkin Park are definitely in the giving spirit year-round, but the rockers are doing something special this holiday season by proclaiming what’s called #GivingTuesday. The day-long event, held Nov. 27, finds the band’s charitable arm, Music for Relief, supporting the work of the United Nations in giving the unique gift of clean energy solutions to people who have no access to electricity and rallying fans to donate. The idea is that fans can give a solar light, solar power for hospitals and health clinics, or Power the World’s latest clean energy tool — the Soccket — which is a soccer ball that is also a portable generator (it’s available at powertheworld.org ). You can also make a donation on behalf of a loved one, and they’ll get an e-card in return, while someone without electricity receives the safe, clean energy they need to improve their quality of life. Linkin Park have been active in supporting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, and urge their fans to take part in the #GivingTuesday by donating at Powertheworld.org . In other Linkin Park news, the group not only performed ‘Burn It Down,’ but also walked away with a trophy for Favorite Alternative Rock Artist at the American Music Awards Sunday night. (Nov. 18). The band has enjoyed a stellar year buoyed by the success of their ‘Living Things’ album. Watch Linkin Park Perform ‘Burn It Down’ at the American Music Awards [button href=”http://loudwire.com/linkin-park-chester-bennington-saw-3d-cameo/” title=”Next: Chester Bennington – Musician Movie Cameos” align=”center”]
RCA Records Bullet for My Valentine are gearing up to release their fourth album, ‘Temper Temper,’ in February 2013, and Loudwire is proud to present a behind-the-scenes look at the Welsh rockers in the studio. The band recently released the title track as the first single and video off the album, and the tune can be heard throughout this behind-the-scenes clip, which features frontman Matt Tuck and producer Don Gilmore discussing the disc. In this exclusive video clip (watch below), Tuck says that BFMV’s recording process on this album was inspired in part by his work in his recent side project AxeWound. “We approached the record a lot differently this time around,” explains the frontman. “It was kind of more inspired by the way I did the AxeWound record. And that was basically: Get in the studio and write and record as you went along.” Tuck goes on to reveal that BFMV went to Thailand with no demos, and wrote and recorded the album on the spot. Bullet for My Valentine’s ‘Temper Temper’ drops Feb. 12, 2013. Fans who pre-order the album here will receive an instant download of the title track. Watch Bullet for My Valentine Discuss ‘Temper Temper’ [Exclusive Video] [button href=”http://loudwire.com/bullet-for-my-valentine-music-video-temper-temper/” title=”Next: Watch BFMV’s ‘Temper Temper’ Music Video” align=”center”]
NewstedHeavyMetal.com It’s been a quiet couple of years for Jason Newsted , who most recently was heard contributing to the Ian Gillan – Tony Iommi project, WhoCares, but the former Metallica bassist is ready to make his presence felt again by launching an official website and offering fans an introductory video. The message on Newsted’s site reads, “Jason Newsted here, it’s really me … LOOK!! It’s time for me to reconnect with all my fans and friends out there around the world with the launch of my OFFICIAL online presence. I want YOU to be the first to know about what’s happening with me and all of my projects: past, present, and FUTURE! So send me your email by signing up here on the website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.” The new website, which can be found at NewstedHeavyMetal.com , also features a video from the bassist re-introducing himself and stating his goals, before finally cranking up the studio board and rocking out to some metal before the picture fades to black. The website also features some pretty cool merch, with t-shirts signifying “Jason’s Back.” Check it out here . At present, only the introductory message is part of the news, but the launch of the website suggests that something new may be coming from the rocker. In addition to his WhoCares contribution, Newsted toured with Papa Wheelie last year. Watch Jason Newsted’s Website Introduction [button href=”http://loudwire.com/best-metallica-songs/” title=”Next: 10 Best Metallica Songs” align=”center”]
Paul Di’Anno: Official Facebook Although Bruce Dickinson is widely regarded as the definitive vocalist of Iron Maiden , fans of the band still hold much respect for Paul Di’Anno , who sang on the albums ‘Iron Maiden’ (1980) and ‘Killers’ (1981). However, at Di’Anno’s recent tour stop in Ukraine, the vocalist got into an altercation after being heckled by an audience member. Di’Anno has been making music since his departure from the band, along with performing songs from Maiden’s first two albums around the world. The 54-year-old Di’Anno has claimed that he will be bidding fans farewell , with 2013 to be his final year as an active touring musician. In what could possibly be his final Ukrainian show, Di’Anno found himself in a war of words after being heckled with “Bruce Dickinson” chants by a member of the audience. Mocking the broken English of the heckler, Di’Anno replied, “I am number one vocal Bruce Dickinson,” at around the 1:45 mark in the video below, adding, “I’m sorry, I don’t sing opera,” before comically singing the chorus of the Maiden staple ‘Run to the Hills.’ “If you like Bruce Dickinson; go home. Listen to his records. Why did you come and buy a ticket, motherf—er? This is real punk, man. This is what made Iron Maiden, not the money-making machine. If you don’t like it, go f— yourself.” Di’Anno continues, “Better still, you wanna fight? You’ll be sorry. I’ll rip off your head and s–t down your neck, you motherf—er.” Di’Anno threw some homophobic slurs at the Ukrainian fan, who tried to smooth things over with Di’Anno throughout the rest of his set. Di’Anno seemed to forgive the fan as the show came to a close with a cover of ‘Blitzkreig Bop’ by Di’Anno’s “favorite band,” the Ramones. Check out Paul Di’Anno’s Ukrainian altercation in the video below. Watch Paul Di’Anno’s Altercation with a Ukrainian Audience Member [NSFW]
Liz Ramanand, Loudwire Machine Head recently were forced off the road as frontman Robb Flynn could no longer soldier through the pain of his double inguinal hernia. The band left a massive tour with Dethklok, All That Remains and the Black Dahlia Murder so Flynn could undergo emergency surgery. The singer went under the knife yesterday (Nov. 14), filming the process along the way. Robb Flynn’s surgery diary begins with the frontman being driven to the hospital, acting less than enthusiastic about the procedure, but reassured fans, “I’m a little nervous; I going under anesthesia, but I’m stoked to be getting it done. I’ve been putting it off for too damn long.” The rest of the short film includes Flynn giving very specific details and updates throughout the day, while showing off his ballin’ purple hospital socks. As a dazed Flynn woke up from the surgery, he seemed relieved to be done with his hernia burden. “Apparently it went really good,” assured Flynn. “I got a couple of holes in me. I’ve got some IV going, I’ve got some good drugs on me; not feeling a whole lot of pain right now … apparently my double inguinal hernia is fixed.” Flynn went on to thank his bandmates and friends for their support during the process, of course adding that his family jewels were feeling sore. Check out Robb Flynn’s surgery diary below. Robb Flynn’s Surgery Diary [button href=”http://loudwire.com/machine-head-exit-current-tour-as-frontman-robb-flynn-undergoes-emergency-surgery/” title=”Next: Read Initial Report on Robb Flynn’s Surgery” align=”center”]
Octane Hollywood Undead have finished their third album, ‘Notes From the Underground,’ and have revealed that the disc will be arriving in January. In the lead-up to the new album, the group will be teasing the effort with a series of webisodes. Loudwire is proud to exclusively bring you the first webisode in the series. In the video (featured below), we see the typically masked rockers just hanging out, having a good time both in the studio and on the road, without their traditional facial garb. The webisode takes you behind the scenes during the making of the new record as the band shows they’re able to mix business with some good-time beer drinking and photo taking, as well. Hollywood Undead just revealed the new single ‘We Are,’ and also unleashed a lyric video for the song. The track can currently be downloaded from iTunes . ‘We Are’ followed the free download of the track ‘Dead Bite,’ plus a lyric video for that song as well. The download is available via the band’s website in exchange for an email address. Watch Hollywood Undead’s ‘Notes From the Underground’ Webisode 1 [button href=”http://loudwire.com/hollywood-undead-unveil-new-track-we-are/” title=”Next: Watch Hollywood Undead’s ‘We Are’ Lyric Video” align=”center”]
Mary Ouellette, SheWillShootYou.com There are instrument-breaking, expletive-hurling onstage meltdowns, and then there’s something a whole lot less bombastic but no less entertaining that drummer Mike Portnoy pulled off during a set in Manila, Philippines, when he became upset with the equipment setup mid-performance. The Adrenaline Mob drummer, who was playing with his supergroup that featured bassist Billy Sheehan, guitarist Tony MacAlpine, and keyboardist Derek Sherinian, was clearly not happy with the way his drums had been set up during the show and had a mini-meltdown that was captured via fan video (seen below). We call it a mini-meltdown as the concept of tossing parts of your kit to the ground definitely qualifies as a meltdown, but it may be one of the calmest experiences ever seen in this situation. The former Dream Theater stickman can be seen gesturing for assistance mid-song, and once the drum techs got to the stage, he proceeded to stop drumming while the band played on and tepidly tossed several of his cymbals to the ground while the group of techs worked on his kit. He then asked the band members to take the sound down a little as he addressed the crowd with an impromptu rap about having to wait all night for the crew to get it right. Once the kit was back in proper order, Portnoy returned to his place onstage and finished out the song with the band, who continued performing throughout the entire ordeal. The drummer later posted about his actions in a lengthy missive that read: Not to excuse my actions, but at least to explain the situation: This PSMS tour has been VERY difficult on all of us in terms of gear and production. The only way we have been able to make it to such far away places such as Manila, Russia, Israel, Indonesia, etc (where it is normally VERY expensive to tour unless you are a “name” band that has been around for many years) is we’ve have had to make concessions by using supplied gear and local techs at each show. Granted, WE agreed to these terms and are willing to make it work — however, on at least a half dozen occasions on this tour we have been incredibly frustrated to arrive at the venue only to find the band’s gear requirements were simply blatantly ignored (wrong keyboards, wrong amps, Zildjian cymbals, etc) AND were not setup and ready for us as was supposed to be the case and what the promoters had promised. We have been as patient and understanding as we possibly can be…but when you get 4 guys who haven’t slept more than a couple of hours every night in order to fly to these shows without sleep … sometimes our patience can wear thin. In the case of the Manila show, we arrived hours before the show to find out the drums weren’t setup, cymbals were missing, Billy‘s amp was wrong (again) and Tony had a buzz on his gear that would not go away … but we forged ahead because we were VERY excited to play for the fans! At the start of ‘Stratus’ (where the video on youtube is from) — my snare drum mic fell off and I motioned for the tech to come put it back on the stand/drum … and instead, he comes up to the drum kit and takes the mic away … leaving me playing with NO snare mic!!! (you’ll hear I begin playing the high tom instead of the snare) … realizing he had no idea what was going on or how to fix the situation, I stopped playing and did my little “rap” while they fixed the situation and we wouldn’t have to play the whole song with no snare in the mix. In the video, you can see I was at least making a joke out of it and wasn’t maliciously trying to hurt anybody or storming off in anger. Moral of the story: WE ARE HUMAN! And sometimes frustrating circumstances create frustrated behavior. I’m not saying I was right in stopping the song … but if you see a video from later in the show, you’ll see I explain to the audience that I’ve been waiting my whole career to play in Manila and I wasn’t going to let ANYTHING ruin my night or their show!!?And we carried on and everybody had a great night. And I look forward to returning (although this may be the last time I tour without my own kit and my own drum tech…hahahaha!!!). Watch Mike Portnoy Deal With Technical Issues in Manila [button href=”http://loudwire.com/adrenaline-mob-video-undaunted/” title=”Watch Adrenaline Mob’s ‘Undaunted’ Video” align=”center”]