A Few Questions of The Answer

Ever wonder how a rock band feels when offered the chance of a lifetime? I was pondering this the other day, thinking about the biggest career advancements in rock. In my mind, nothing is bigger than playing with AC/DC. Irish band The Answer are touring the world with AC/DC right now. Wonder how that happened? I asked.

“We were recording B-sides for the singles in London and our manager took us out for a drink in the middle of the sessions,” explains The Answer guitarist Paul Mahon. “He said he had good news and bad news. We were originally slotted to go on tour with Black Stone Cherry in Europe but we wouldn't be going out with them. Then he slid a sheet of paper over to us. We turned it over and it was all the tour dates for AC/DC in America. We were over the moon – we had no idea that’s what the surprise would be. We had quite a few drinks that day and the recording of the B-sides stopped."

If you’ve ever been backstage at a rock show, you know the stereotypes of loud parties are not always true. Oftentimes, it’s just a bunch of people punching their time cards, getting a job done. But what about backstage at AC/DC?

“There’s been a few times when Brian Johnson would come, hang out and chat with us a lot,” says Mahon. “We just had a good conversation with Angus in Frankfurt and he only set down with us one time before. But he pretty much talked to us for an hour, just outside the dressing room. We talked about touring in Europe the first time with Bon (Scott) and how the tour went in America and making Black Ice. It was a very special conversation. He was very shy and kind of stayed to himself...and that was really cool night.”

The Answer have a lot to celebrate in  addition to their tour with AC/DC. The band’s American debut Everyday Demons hits stores tomorrow is already available as a digital download through iTunes.

You can read more of my interview with The Answer very soon over on Noisecreep.

Photo credit: The Answer. No copyright assumed.

Does 'That Metal Show' Suck?

In case you don't have cable That Metal Show airs on Vh1 Classic and is hosted by Eddie Trunk.

I haven't decided if the show is decent...or complete shite. Ok, so I'll be the first one to stand up and support any form of mass media that brings Metal back to the forefront of popular culture. That said, I must admit the production of That Metal Show sort of makes me want to put a pail over my head and bang it with a mallet. We're talking cable access level here. I know Vh1 Classic/Viacom has some money to produce a halfway decent show. After all, someone ponied up money for a dedicated set. The show even has a few live camera operators - a true luxury in the day of automation. The writing is decent - not great. The guests are the real crux of the show. So far, I haven't been all that impressed with the selections. I don't think it's a matter of scheduling, either. Musicians love to talk about their bands.

Eddie has some help with the show. Comedians Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson act as co-hosts.

Last night, Eddie kept saying "hair band" over and over. Bloody hell, it's "Glam." Why mock? Why be derogatory? The opening conversation topic was "Is there still a backlash against hair metal?"

One of the points: "MTV didn't play Motorhead at 2 in the afternoon."

Yeah, there's a reason, but that's a different article all together. (And yeah, I like Motorhead, so save your hate mail. Fact is, they've never been as popular as Def Leppard - and videos were all about advertising revenue).

The topic - which could be debated for days - was given 90 seconds. Sigh.

I dunno. I feel like That Metal Show could be really cool - but the segments are choppy and the guests never get to say much. The interviews are just not great...and the hosts seem to banter with each other more than actually fostering a Metal discussion. As we all know, Eddie Trunk is very well connected. Hopefully this means the show will continue to evolve and be another outlet for our favorite genre of music.

See Avenged Sevenfold in Las Vegas - Free!

ShockHound music and merchandise online is doing a nice contest right now. Avenged Sevenfold are playing a show in Las Vegas on April 18th. ShockHound will fly the winner and a guest out of Vegas, provide tickets for the show and a hotel to crash. Click here to enter. I did. Be sure to hurry. The contest closes on 4/6/09.

Here's Avenged Sevenfold "Afterlife"

More Confirmed Judas Priest/Whitesnake Tour Dates

Judas Priest and Whitesnake are hitting the road this summer. The event will likely be the tour of the summer. This morning, the tour released more dates (and more will be added):

July 1st The Family Arena St. Charles, MO

July 2nd Summerfest (Harley Davidson Stage) Milwaukee, WI

July 3rd Taste of Minnesota at Harriet Island * St. Paul, MN

July 7th Comcast Center * Mansfield, MA

July 8th CMAC * Canadaigua, NY

July 9th Molson Amphitheatre * Toronto, ONT

July 11th PNC Bank Arts Center * Holmdel, NJ

July 12th Nikon at Jones Beach * Wantagh, NY

July 14th Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre * Cleveland, OH

July 15th DTE Energy Music Theatre * Clarkston, MI

July 17th Moondance Jam * Walker, MN

July 18th Rockfest/Cheppewa Valley Music Cadott, WI

July 21st PNC Pavillion @ Riverbend Music * Cincinnati, OH

July 29th California Mid State Fair * Paso Robles, CA

July 31st Sleep Train Pavillion * Concord, CA

August 1st 98 Rock Jamboree @ Sleep Train Amp* Marysville, CA

August 2nd Gibson Amphitheatre * Universal City, CA

August 4th SDSU Open Air Theatre * San Diego, CA

August 5th Pacific Ampitheatre/OC Fair * Costa Mesa, CA

August 7th Dodge Theatre * Phoenix, AZ

August 8th Thomas & Mack Center * Las Vegas, NV

August 10th Sandia Casino Albuquerque, NM

August 11th Red Rocks Ampitheatre * Morrison, CO

* INDICATES PERFORMANCES WITH WHITESNAKE

Duff McKagan's Loaded Video Premiere

Go watch the world premiere of the video for "Flatline" by Duff McKagan's Loaded over on Noisecreep. Duff McKagan's Loaded will release Sick next month and play Rock on the Range in May. It was just announced that the band will also support Motley Crue on some upcoming European dates.

Well, what are you waiting on? Go over to Noisecreep! Comment my friends while you're there. They need love too.

Nasty Idols

Remember Nasty Idols? The 1980s Swedish Glam band is  back with brand new disc. Some of their tunes actually got some traction back in the day, with many of their videos landing on Headbanger's Ball.

The Nasty Idols have changed members a lot since 1987. No matter. The current lineup sounds great and the new album kicks ass. Preview the new tunes here.

Nasty Idols release Boys Town today. Buy it now.  

Watch some classic MTV clips. Good times.

Another Rocklahoma Headliner: Anthrax

The celebration of ANTHRAX's 25th anniversary is about to begin in earnest, as ANTHRAX, recognized as one of the founders of thrash metal, with worldwide sales in excess of ten million copies, will bring its brand of New York metal to Oklahoma when it kicks off the third annual, four-day Rocklahoma festival set for July 9-12 in Pryor, Oklahoma. ANTHRAX will headline the festival's July 9 opening night.

"We want to start the HEAVY DAY at Rocklahoma," said ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante, "and after we play nothing but heavy f%#*ing metal, Oklahoma will never be the same."

ANTHRAX's Rocklahoma festival appearance will be in support of the band's first new studio album in six years, "Worship Music", scheduled for a summer release, and the May 12 release of the limited edition, three-record vinyl reissue of the band's first album, "Fistful of Metal", which originally came out twenty-five years ago. "Worship Music" will mark the studio debut of new singer Dan Nelson who joins long-time members Benante and Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Frank Bello (bass) and Rob Caggiano (lead guitar).

The Rocklahoma festival will be ANTHRAX's only North American concert appearance until they launch their own major trek here later this year. The Rocklahoma organizers will announce the full July 9 talent lineup next week.