T.M. Stevens, Bassist of 100s of Sessions and Tours, Has Died


 

One of the best and most prolific and coolest bass players in Rock history, T.M. Stevens, has died. He was 72. His colleague, fellow New Yorker, and musician Ronny Drayton broke the news on social media. Tributes have been pouring in from across all musical genres. Since 2017 T.M. was in a care facility while suffering from dementia. Starting out in the nineteen seventies in New York, T.M. was an early wunderkind on bass and received many accolades from bass and guitar magazines. He was also known for his flamboyant fashion sense and persona. Also known as Shaka Zulu, and fronting his own band also called Shakazooloo, his versatility and talent saw him as a member of his original band Space Cadets, as well as a recording and/or touring member of Pretenders, Steve’ Vai’s solo band for the album Passion and Warfare (also featuring Devin Townsend), his peer Victor Wooten, as well as hit albums from James Brown, Billy Squire, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, 2Pac, Joe Cocker, Darlene Love, Taylor Dayne, Nona Hendrix, and over 247 credits according to Discogs.com. T.M. was also a fixture on many rock and metal tribute albums over the years. RIP. Continue reading


INTERVIEW: Liv Kristine on “River of Diamonds” and Remaining Authentic


 

River Of Diamonds, the 2023 return album from the sensational and highly regarded Liv Kristine, is one of the most meaningful and sweeping rock releases of the year. Planting her feet and owning her space in the scene with both tell-tale sincerity and a firm yet graceful demeanor, Liv deserves nothing but respect for her talent and dedication to the arts and the years of musical enchantment she has gifted fans. It was wonderful to discuss her new record and how to spot the lights in the dark. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Liv Kristine – River Of Diamonds


 

Gothic rock Norwegian heroine Liv Kristine is integrity personified when it comes to representing her chosen genres, the ideal ambassador of grace, fun, shimmery, and shadowy melodic reflection. River Of Diamonds (Metalville Records ) is one of her most digestible yet nonetheless compelling efforts yet, the closest comparison is a merging of a lighter variant of the love rock of H.I.M. with the captivating gothic roots she is known for.

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Iron Maiden, The White Stripes, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Joy Division, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, A Tribe Called Quest, George Michael, and More are Nominated for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame


The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced their nominees for induction in 2023. Iron Maiden, The White Stripes, Rage Against The Machine, Soundgarden, Joy Division/New Order, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, A Tribe Called Quest, George Michael, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Cyndi Lauper, The Spinners, and Warren Zevon are all nominated. The fan vote is now open at the link below.

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Thirty-Five Years Ago Dee Snider Defended Heavy Metal Against Censorship


The 1980s were a curious time for music. It was one of the most creative and cool times ever for all kinds of music from Rock, Heavy metal, Pop, Hip-Hop, and Dance Music. Art and music is an expression of society and what people are feeling, and rarely just artists pushing their opinions on fans. But forces were aligning against personal freedom, especially in the United States Government and the Parents Music Resource Center (The P.M.R.C.) led by Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice President Al Gore; Susan Baker, wife of Treasury Secretary James Baker; Pam Howar, wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howar; and Sally Nevius, wife of former Washington City Council Chairman John Nevius.

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Watch Never Before Seen Outtakes of Metallica with Michael Alago from “Who The F*ck Is That Guy” Documentary


 

Michael Alago recently released his memoir I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death. (BackBeat Books), written by Alago with Laura Davis-Chanin (with a foreword by Mina Caputo of Life of Agony and John Joseph of Cro-Mags) and you can read our review here. Michael is the music industry legend that signed Metallica to Electra Records and helped guide them on the path to being the biggest band of all time. He also played a role in the careers of White Zombie, Cro-mags, Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, and more. The Drew Stone documentary Who The F*ck Is That Guy: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago (just wrapped on Netflix after an unprecedented 3 years, now on Amazon Prime and YouTube) grew awareness of him beyond music documentaries and VH1’s Metallica Behind The Music. Now you can see never before seen outtakes of Michael with Metallica after they filmed their segments for the film, posted to Drew Stone’s YouTube. Continue reading


BOOK REVIEW: Michael Alago and Laura Davis-Chanin – “I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death.”


Everybody has a story.

There are many words of wisdom born from the soul of Michael Alago that he has shared in his memoir. Most know him as the music industry legend that signed Metallica to Electra Records and helped guide them on the path to being the biggest band of all time. The Drew Stone documentary Who The F*ck Is That Guy: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago (now on Netflix and Amazon) shined a light on him that he deserved for decades. But there is so much more to his story, to the person than bands he signed, and who whom he rubbed shoulders with. The film was a terrific introduction to his life and times and why he deserves the credit he does. The book slowly peels back the years, all the wonderful and terrible things that life can bring and all the in-betweens. A lot of formative times with his family growing up in Brooklyn, dear friends, loves and losses. A terrific tapestry of experiences, stories, and reminiscences. There are many standout movements, including instances of Michael being surrounded the greats of the music and art world; Jerry Brandt, Bill Graham, Danny Fields, Bob Krasnow, Robert Mapplethorpe and many more. It’s cool enough to have met those people, but what really matters is listening and learning from greatness when it comes across your path. He did just that. Continue reading