CONCERT REVIEW: The Misfits – Megadeth – Fear Live at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre


 

I am not going to say that reunion tours are not shameless cash grabs. Up to this point, KISS and Bauhaus are the only bands successful at luring me out to them. However, The Misfits were an equally important part of my youth. The mere thirty-minute drive into Tampa, was too tempting, despite my lingering resentment with Danzig’s terrible Elvis tribute album. Going to an outdoor venue in Florida after May, added to the difficulty level of taking my misanthropic self into a 20,000-seat-capacity amphitheatre. Fear being on the bill provided more motivation, however thanks to misinformation regarding the start time at the venue and Tampa traffic, Fear had finished their set as I set foot into the venue.

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Hellacopters – Eyes of Oblivion


After 14 years in the dirt, classic rock band The Hellacopters have returned from the dead to do exactly what Swedes do best: make damn good rock ‘n’ roll. Like many, many bands, The Hellacopters had no intention of getting back together post-breakup in 2008, but their new 2022 record, Eyes Of Oblivion (Nuclear Blast), goes to show that bands really do suck at staying broken up. We’re certainly not complaining, because this is one hell of a comeback record. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Alice Cooper – Detroit Stories


 

Foregoing songs about masked serial killers, nightmares and mental asylums, Detroit Stories (earMUSIC), the twenty-first solo album from shock-rock legend Alice Cooper, has been written expressly as a tribute to his hometown of Detroit. Forget about guillotines, spiders, Vincent Price and Frankenstein. This is a more down-to-earth, less twisted and surreal version of Alice, even if the record does occasionally touch base with the likes of From the Inside.

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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Shares its Punk and New Wave Collection


During this time of self-isolation and quarantine, we are all just looking to keep entertained and our minds busy. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thankfully is answering the call, sharing their treasure trove of content from their history. They have shared their Punk and New Wave Collection to watch their YouTube playlist and archival stories from Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie, Patti Smith Group, The Clash, The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, Lou Reed, and Green Day. The Rock Hall also has history lessons on the genre for rockers of any age!Continue reading


Watch Mike Portnoy Sing and Play All the Instruments Covering The Ramones “We’re A Happy Family”


A lot of artists have been doing covers to pass the time thanks to quarantine due to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Watch Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, Neal Morse Band, BPMD) cover The Ramones classic ‘We’re A Happy Family’ on vocals and all the instruments. Extra points if you catch where he changed the lyrics to his own happy family!

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LIVE REVIEW: Agnostic Front – The Take: Live at Mama Roux’s, Birmingham, UK


For years, metal and hardcore have been regular bedfellows but that wasn’t always the way. Back in the ’80s, metalheads regularly ran the risk of getting beaten up if they attended hardcore or punk shows. Skins and Mohawks did not take kindly to long-hairs stepping onto their turf, and vice versa. It wasn’t until the emergence of more popular bands like Slayer who, by straddling both genres, showed that the two sets of fans were capable of co-existing without confrontation.

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BACON BLOODY BACON: Matt Bacon on Why Cover Songs Matter


I’ve written about this before, but given the huge response of a recent Bacon’s Bit on the topic, I wanted to re-address it. Your band should have a cover song or two in your back pocket. If you are able to do this then you are going to be able to differentiate yourself and more importantly have your band be remembered. When it comes down to it, as an unsigned band trying to break it in the underground having your band be remembered is the most important thing. If people can’t recall who you are you are fucked. But if you can give them a reason to recall you – you’re in the clear. So I wanted to address all this and get into why covers aren’t corny, how they help to cement you in the fans’ mind, how to choose a good song to cover and of course some of the additional benefits that covers bring to the table. Continue reading


Ministry Announces Visual History Book, Tour Dates Incoming with Slayer


Ministry has announced Ministry: Prescripture, a visual history book with exclusive details shared via Rolling Stone. The book includes ling notes, never before seen graphics and photos, and anecdotes from members of Smashing Pumpkins, ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, NWA, Ramones, Nine Inch Nails and more. Plus it comes with ‘(Every Day Is) Halloween (Acoustic)’ 7-Inch. Released December 6 with Pre-Orders are live today! Headline dates and Slayer’s final Farewell World Tour. Continue reading


AC/DC, Ramones, The Go-Gos and More Features on Spider-Man Far From Home Soundtrack


Spider-Man Far From Home came out in theaters this week on July 2nd. The sequel to Spider-Man Homecoming and the final movie in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe not only has an amazing score by Alan Silvestri, but it also features a ton of Rock and Punk music. Notable songs that highlight themes in the move include sAC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’, Ramones’ ‘I Want To Be Your Boyfriend’, and The Go-Go’s ‘Vacation’ among other tracks! Continue reading


New Photo Exhibition by Tom Hearn Focuses on The Ramones, Opens Tomorrow in New York


Connecticut based photographer Tom Hearn was fortunate enough to document The Ramones at the height of the burgeoning Punk scene in the mid-1970s. This weekend in New York a new exhibition of his photography, The First Time I saw the Ramones, a solo exhibition by Hearn opens at 72 Gallery in New York City. The collected photos are from July 22 1976 when Tom was asked by his friend Legs McNeil (Please Kill Me) to see the Ramones play at the Arcadia Ballroom in New Haven. The exhibition runs until June 6th and the gallery is typically open Tuesday through Sunday, with details below.

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