Archive News Aug 10, 2001 - update 1

The previously announced debut gig by ECHOBRAIN, he new band featuring former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted, will take place on Sunday, August 19th at Bimbo's in San Francisco as part of Nadine's Wild Weekend, a music festival that highlights local talent. 'It was important for us to play our first show in the Bay Area, and there is no better way to debut than Nadine's Wild Weekend,' Newsted said in a statement announcing the appearance. “[ECHOBRAIN bandmates] Dylan and Brian were born and raised here, and I've been living in the Bay Area for awhile now, so, to me, ECHOBRAIN is very much like homegrown California music. The whole thing works perfectly into our plan and we are totally psyched that we're involved.' A four-day event, Nadine's Wild Weekend runs between August 16th and August 19th, and will also include performances by M.I.R.V., THE MOSS BROTHERS, the KGB, SPIKE 1000, THE NAKED BARBIES, GLASSTOWN, VIRGIL SHAW, and other indie bands. For more information, go to: www.nadineswildweekend.com.

Canada's KITTIE have officially confirmed that guitarist Fallon Bowman is no longer a member of the group. According to a statement issued by KITTIE's record label, Artemis Records, guitarist/vocalist “Morgan [Lander] and [drummer] Mercedes Lander have always been the visionaries, leaders and soul of KITTIE. Morgan, as lead singer, principal writer and primary spokesperson, has also been the entity behind closed doors whose vision defines the artwork, the videos and all aspects of planning KITTIE's career. While we wish good luck to former members, their comings and goings have no effect whatsoever on the creative growth of KITTIE. In our experience in working with this band, as their label, they have always been completely driven by Morgan and Mercedes.' Producer GGGarth Richardson, who collaborated with the group on their 1999 Spit debut and who is presently working with KITTIE on the follow-up effort, Oracle, commented: 'In every record that I have been involved with, there has been a leader and driving force. From their first album, Spit, to the album we are working on now, Morgan and Mercedes have been the driving force.' No reason for Bowman's departure was given.

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Oracle is currently being tracked in London, Ontario, with Lander recording all the guitar parts. Scheduled for release on October 30th, the CD will include such cuts as 'Mouthful of Poison', 'Pain' and 'Wolves', as well as a cover of the PINK FLOYD classic 'Run Like Hell”.

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According to the statement, KITTIE's former guitar tech, Jeff Phillips, will join the group for live performances, while KITTIE will continue officially as a three-piece, with no plans to find a permanent replacement for Bowman at this time.

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES have been added to the line-up of artists performing at the upcoming SmokeOut Festival tour, which is set to be co-headlined by the DEFTONES and CYPRESS HILL and which will also feature FEAR FACTORY, BUSTA RHYMES, METHOD MAN and REDMAN, and NOFX. At the moment, three dates have been confirmed, with plans to add two more shows to the itinerary in the coming days. The known dates so far are as follows:

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Sept. 15 – San Francisco, CA @ TBA

Sept. 29 – Holmdel, NJ @ The PNC Arts Center (formerly Garden State Arts Center)

Sept. 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ TBA (tentative)

Oct. 06 – San Bernardino, CA @ TBA

JUDAS PRIEST's September 22nd show at Sunken Garden/Selma (San Antonio),Texas will feature a combined package bill that will include performances by PRIEST, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX and ENDO. ICED EARTH, who were just confirmed as the openers for the PRIEST US tour, will evidently NOT be appearing at this gig. Meanwhile, JUDAS PRIEST's headlining concert in Dallas on September 21st will also include a performance by SPONGE. In other news, PRIEST have just announced the dates for the forthcoming Australian tour. The details are as follows:

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Nov. 30 – Melbourne, AUST @ Palace

Dec. 01 – Sydney, AUST @ Metro or Enmore Theatre

Dec. 02 – Sydney, AUST @ Metro or Enmore Theatre

Dec 04 – Brisbane, AUST @ Arena

For reasons that are not entirely clear right now, CROWBAR have pulled off the upcoming ENTOMBEDTour Of The Morning Star European trek and have been replaced on the bill by UK doomsters CATHEDRAL. More information on this as it becomes available.

After months of speculation and rumors, acclaimed Swedish melodic deathsters ARCH ENEMY have finally publicly addressed—albeit in a very cryptic and vague fashion—the reasons for the seemingly endless delay in getting the group's latest CD release, Wages Of Sin, issued in the European and American territories (which, as previously reported here, were attributed primarily to the efforts of the group's representatives, Sanctuary Management, to get the band out of their present deal with Century Media Records or substantially renegotiate the act's existing agreement with the label). Here is ARCH ENEMY's full statement on the matter:

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“Dear Arch Enemies!

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“It really is about time that we write some words about the pending release of Wages Of Sin in Europe and America. We haven't put anything on this subject yet on the web site, because we are in a difficult situation and it's hard to find the right words… But we hate seeing you, the fan, getting totally pissed off - so we have to talk…

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“Many fans ask us, why WE don't release Wages Of Sin in Europe and the US. Well, an album release date is not up to the band that signed a record deal — as ARCH ENEMY did with Century Media in 1997. The fact is that we have delivered the album and artwork to Century Media — and now we are hoping for an announcement of the release date as eagerly as you do… Only when the album is released worldwide can we go out and do what we feel we do best — perform LIVE. We also get feedback from some fans saying that they don't like the way WE are giving the Asian market 'special treatment'. But think about it for a second, why would we not want to promote our music to the world? Why would we want to limit our success to certain markets? It just doesn't make sense, does it?

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“Japan and Korea are a totally different story for ARCH ENEMY. In these territories we are fortunate to be working with two labels and people who are very committed to ARCH ENEMY, because they truly BELIEVE in us. These labels decided to release Wages Of Sin as soon as possible after we delivered them the album. ARCH ENEMY has over the last 5 years become pretty huge in these territories, because we always got and still get the kind of support and attention a band with serious potential should get… ARCH ENEMY is a band featuring only full-time musicians – that means, our one and only (great) job is it to create high-quality music, record exciting albums, RELEASE them and go on tour. (For this you need financial tour support from your label, too – maybe this is answer enough to your question, why we will just tour Korea and Japan for now…).

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“We can only function and work properly as a band releasing albums and touring if we have a healthy relationship with a record label. Right now we don't have this with Century Media. We sincerely hope that they decide to release Wages Of Sin in the US and Europe ASAP.

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'Yours respectfully, ARCH ENEMY”

The bonus CD that is set to be included in a limited-edition version of SAXON's forthcoming Killing Ground CD, which is due in September, will reportedly contain re-recordings of the following eight of the band's “greatest hits”:

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01. Princess Of The Night

02. Crusader

03. Wheels Of Steel

04. Heavy Metal Thunder

05. Strong Arm Of The Law

06. Power And The Glory

07. Dallas 1 PM

08. And The Bands Played On

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As previously reported, SAXON re-recorded 13 of their classic numbers during the above-mentioned sessions and are planning on releasing all of them on a separate CD sometime in early 2002.

In the continuing saga that is the ongoing METAL CHURCH-vs.-former-MC-vocalist-David Wayne affair, MC guitarist/mainman Kurdt Vanderhoof has posted his response to the most recent statement issued by Wayne in which the singer accused Vanderhoof of being deceitful and jealous, among other things. Here is Vanderhoof's posting in its entirety:

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“All right, I've had enough! I will respond to all this 'crap' once and for all.

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“1st point... Dave and I had a telephone conversation (almost a year ago now) when he finished his new record. He had a manager/agent/whatever... in on the conversation as well. He told me then that he wanted to call his new album Metal Church (which seemed extremely silly to me considering the fact that he was IN METAL CHURCH at that time). I informed him that he would be getting into some trouble with our record company (as well as really piss the band off),because they have signed METAL CHURCH for 3 albums. This has NOTHING to do with whether or not I gave 'permission' for Dave to use the name. Once contracts and lawyers are involved, it has nothing to do with my opinion or 'permission'. Besides, there are a few other people involved that would have to give THEIR 'permission' as well. Dave has apparently learned NOTHING in his 20-plus years in the biz.

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“METAL CHURCH's management had a conversation a few days prior with Dave and this 'guy' and told him the EXACT same thing!! I couldn't believe that we were even discussing it in the first place!!! If he didn't know how stupid this would make him look, then...whatever! This doesn't make any sense anyway... why would I give somebody who is in the band 'permission' to use the name to start another band, with the same name?? Even if that were up to me, why would I do that and then change my mind? Just to make him look stupid? He did that all on his own!

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“It's too bad because he made a good record, and Jimi Bell and the guys are great people and good musicians and, the fact that they got involved with Dave is a shame. I do believe that they will come to realize this very shortly as WE all did, quite a number of years ago.

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“When we started to reform this band, we all hoped that some people might have changed but, obviously, they haven't. It just took some time for it to come to the surface. This is the type of mentality that made us get rid of him in the first place.

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“2nd point... Dave was VERY aware of the fact that Metal Church was signed to SPV [Records] for 3 albums even before we started recording Masterpeace! And on the Masterpeace tour, Dave, John and myself were having discussions about the next album and how we wanted to write it and what sounds we wanted etc, etc... Anyone on our tour bus will attest to that.

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“3rd point... Dave must think VERY highly of me to think that I have the kind of power to influence our fans/band members/business associates and their opinions so strongly about the little 'stunt' he pulled. Either that or... I have spent all my time posting all this 'Dave bashing' myself under a bunch of different names. I have better things to do with my time, Dave! For him to try to put blame on someone else for something he chose to do is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!! This doesn't speak to highly of Nuclear Blast [Records] either, to put the record out with that title and artwork either. But Dave no doubt bullsh.tted them into thinking that it would be fine.

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“4th point... Dave was paid VERY well for his work on the record. If he chose not to pay a personal debt, that's HIS problem, not mine. Album expenses were paid by me. Getting your PA out of pawn was NOT one of them. You had plenty of cash to pay Regiman back for that. Regiman has been an incredible help to this band on a lot of different levels. And for Dave to totally blow him off and try to blame someone else for his actions is pretty 'sh.tty'. Again... 'Oooh let's blame Vanderhoof for this too.' If I'm such an a..hole and so 'power trippin'' why do the rest of us, i.e.. John, Kirk, Duke, Regiman, Lewy, road crew, management etc... all agree on this and get along just fine? Oh that's right, I must have them all 'under my power'. LOLOLOL!!!!!

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“Face it, Dave!!! You did something very stupid and underhanded. You were trying to get away with something and you know it! Your perception of reality is your problem. Take your lumps, dude!! The rest of us are going to continue on just fine without you. And hopefully never have to deal with this juvenile, garage band, name-calling crap anymore.

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“As much as I hate to say it, your involvement with METAL CHURCH has left yet another embarrassing scar on all of us and our reputation as professional musicians. And I'm NOT referring to your musical contribution. That speaks for itself and is quite substantial. But this childish 'it's everybody's fault but mine' attitude and your BLATANT lying and finger pointing about something that was SO stupid to attempt in the first place is shameful! So go on your Merry Little Way and we shall do the same! SEE YA!!!!

“In closing I will say this... I know Dave is going to deny all this and the REVEREND board will be just 'buzzing' with 'Vanderhoof bashing' and I really couldn't give a sh.t! But the fans will draw their own conclusions. But the fact of the matter is... WE, (METAL CHURCH and Co.) know Dave and how he operates. So he can say anything he wants about me, I just don't care, it doesn't mean a damn thing!

“There, I've said my piece. Now... let's get on with the music... that's what its supposed to be all about in the first place, right?

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Thanks and Goodnight!! Kurdt Vanderhoof”

MEDICATION, the Los Angeles-based band featuring ex-UGLY KID JOE/LIFE OF AGONY vocalist Whitfield Crane, former MACHINE HEAD guitarist Logan Mader, ex-SOULFLY drummer Roy Mayorga and ex-ADAYINTHELIFE… guitarist Blunt, will play at The Pound in San Francisco, California on Friday, August 24th.

SOULFLY will be playing a special “D-Lo Memorial” show on August 17th, in Tempe, Arizona. The 5th annual memorial show in honor of frontman Max Cavalera's deceased stepson, Dana Wells (who was killed in a tragic car “accident” back in August 1996) will take place at Bash On Ash (230 W. 5th St., Tempe, AZ) and will also include appearances by DISLOCATED STYLES, WILL HAVEN, SHUVEL, NORTH SIDE KINGS, and DEADLOCH. The show will begin at 6:30 PM.

COAL CHAMBER guitarist Meegs recently offered the following comments about the group's upcoming third full-length CD, entitled Dark Days, which is due to be issued through Roadrunner Records in early 2002:

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“As for the tone of the album, it will be a combination of both records. It will definitely be very heavy, I mean HEAVY. The experimentation and craziness in the sonic department is just plain sick!!! I spent a lot of time on this album to record all the noises and tones that I hear in my head all the time. The guitar chug is very bottom heavy and the abuse of effect pedals and technology is very prominent. the vibe of the record is very angry and chaotic. I promise that it will be insanity of the highest level!!!

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“This album will be both a continuation and a progressive change of our previous stuff. It will continue to be as heavy, if not heavier, than our first record. But it will be a big onslaught of sonic mayhem and experimentation that we started on the 2nd album, except 100 times more brutal and angry as f.ck!! Dez's vocals are plain scary!! The guitars are super-thick and the bass and drums feel like a steamroller!!! The sounds on this record are very intense, for sure!!! The songwriting is very, very intense because the band as a whole was going through a very difficult time in our lives. And it shows in the material. The tension, frustrations, disappointment, and anger are definitely prevalent on the disc!!

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“My favorite [new song] as of now is probably 'Drove'. It is one f.cking heavy-ass song!!! It starts out chaotic and ends that way. The guitar textures and noises are very quirky and experimental. It's a very 'COAL CHAMBER'-type of groove. The tones, vocals, and production are beyond subsonic. Couldn't be more proud.

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“The overall tone and theme of this album is very dark and angry. It definitely reflected on these two past years of the bands career. Very turbulent. We've all pulled through though, and wrote the most heaviest and intense material we've ever done!! This album was a very cathartic and psychotherapeutic experience for the whole band. As we wrote this material from our hearts, this record definitely reflects what we were feeling at the time. Kind of like The Shining meets Halloween.

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“There's a tension on this record that is unsettling. A lot of lashing out at people kind of emotions. Anger, frustrations. A very dark and heavy record. Not a suicidal type of vibe, but more of a unleashing of a lot of internal and outside demons.”

Tickets for the upcoming GEORDIE II concert, featuring AC/DC vocalist Brian Johnson and taking place on Friday, September 28th at the Newcastle Opera House in Newcastle, UK, are available for purchase from www.newcastleoperahouse.com. Doors and bars will open at 6:30 PM, and an as-yet-announced support act will take the stage at 7:45 PM. GEORDIE II will hit the stage at 8:45 PM. In this very special show, according to the Newcastle Opera House web site, “Brian returns to his home town of Newcastle to once again line-up with his old pals in GEORDIE II. The show will recreate the last one that Brian did with the band in 1979 and it really does look like being one of those nights that you just can't afford to miss! While Brian and the band will not be performing any AC/DC numbers, he will be giving us the same power and passion that has made him instantly recognizable to rock fans around the world.”

SICK SPEED guitarist Rich Ward (formerly of STUCK MOJO) has offered the following update on the band's activities via the group's excellent official web site:

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“Greetings to the millions and millions of Speed Freaks all across the planet! It¹s your Duke of Metal, here to give a brief and long overdue update on the state of affairs in the SICK SPEED Empire. For starters, the Atlantis music conference showcase turned out to be a great gig. For this show, we introduced the use of video screens and a few new pyro effects. The initial response from the music industry people in attendance has been very positive and a follow up showcase, sponsored by ASCAP, has been booked. This showcase will take place during the CMJ music conference in N.Y. on September 13. The BUZZ on the band is snowballing and I will keep you up to date on future developments.

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“The ongoing saga concerning a European deal is finally over and we have finalized the details with DK Records. Through DK we will release an 11-song CD that will include enhanced videos, a photo gallery as well as other multimedia goodies. The DK release will be for European territories first and then a digi-pack version with bonus tracks will be released in Japan. A release date has not set as of today.

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“On Wednesday, August 1, we played the local Atlanta Music Awards. All performers for this event were limited to a 12-minute set, which left us at three songs. Our opening song pyro blast set off the fire alarms and that my friends, is rock-n-roll. The MC for the awards is a local radio DJ (Steve Craig),and he totally dug the set. His radio station (99X) puts on an annual show called 'Big Day Out', that features acts like FOO FIGHTERS, BLINK 182, GODSMACK, etc... Thanks to those fire alarms, he thought enough of us to add us to that festival. Details for this gig will be available on [our official web site's] tour dates page.”

Switzerland's SAMAEL are on an indefinite hiatus as they continue to try to sever ties with Century Media Records following disagreements with the label over promotional efforts (or lack thereof, according to the band) for the group's previous recording output and the terms of their existing agreement with the company. At this time, there are no immediate plans for SAMAEL to enter the studio to record a new studio album, making it unlikely that new music will be forthcoming from the group before 2002.