Boston’s Metal For Nepal Concert Takes Place Tomorrow

Posted on June 19, 2015 by News Team

Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert

After weeks of planning, Boston’s Metal For Nepal Benefit (#MetalForNepal) concert is nearly here. Spurred into action after two devastating earthquakes rocked Nepal, Metal For Nepal mobilized to do our part to join the people on the ground lending aid and energy to ravaged communities in need of aid. Taking place at the legendary Middle East Night Club in Cambridge MA, the concert will be held on June 20th from 12 noon – 4 PM. Headlining the bill will be Obsidian Tongue, followed by Native Construct, Caricature, Sonic Pulse and BruteMukti. The show is $10 and All Ages. You can get tickets online here:

Link to the Facebook Event for Metal For Nepal here:

Proceeds from tickets, as well as exclusive raffle merch and other donations will go toward the Jai Nepal Youth Club, No Silence for Nepal, WHR Nepal, Reaping Hope and Jagaruk Nepal.

There is also a benefit compilation organized by Metal for Nepal performers BruteMukti featuring Nepalese metal bands dubbed Nepal Earthquake Relief. You can donate and download the collection from Bandcamp here: https://nepal-earthquake-relief.bandcamp.com/releases. Physical copies will also be available for purchase at the Metal For Nepal, with all the proceeds going to charity.

Special thanks to Kevin Brown, Kunjan Joshi, Erik Hansen of Wormwood Joint Booking, The Middle East Night Club and all of the bands for helping to organize this relief effort so quickly. In addition to the performers, many music labels, publicity firms, and independent artists have pledged their support to the concert in the way of donating all kinds of exclusive memorabilia and band merch that will be raffled off, adding to the specialness of the event. The support of the metal community by the music industry has buoyed our efforts and we’d like to thank them here:

Victory Records

Prosthetic Records

Dewar PR

Fly PR

EarsplitPR

Several other PR firms, which made anonymous donations

Artist Mark Richards of Heavy Hand Illustration (Aborted, Pig Destroyer, Revocation)

Artist Michelle Duggan (Saint Vitus, Lord Dying, Cult Leader)

Exclusive items such as Aborted’s recent LP signed by the band, Death’s lyrics book signed by James Murphy, assorted signed posters, exclusive screen prints from Mark Richards and Michelle Duggan, limited edition box set, vinyl, patches, cds and more made as personal donations from participants in Metal For Nepal!

Our exclusive buttons for our Raffle entrants were made by Russ Orcutt of All About Records.

Please support the bands that are performing at Metal For Nepal :

Obsidian Tongue on Facebook

Native Construct on Facebook

Caricature on Facebook

Sonic Pulse on Facebook

BruteMukti on Facebook

Ronnie James Dio Memorial Weekend Releases Schedule

Posted on May 14, 2015 by newsteam

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of the voice of Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, have released a schedule of this weekend’s celebration activities to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his untimely death from gastric cancer on May 16, 2010.

MAY 15th: Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Tournament
Pinz Bowling Center
12655 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
7:00-11:00pm

Hosted by Eddie Trunk of VH1’s That Metal Show, this will be an evening of fun, food, entertainment and, of course, bowling with rock stars and celebrities competing for trophies in the name of raising funds and awareness for the Ronnie James Dio SUAS Cancer Fund. A silent auction will include collectible bowling pins autographed by artists such as Tenacious D, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, YES, Anthrax and Metallica and in addition to many more major items. Music will be provided by KNAC.com’s DJ Will.

BOWLING PRICES & INCENTIVES BREAKDOWN:
To purchase tickets and read further details on each package here.

INDIVIDUAL GUEST (Non-Bowler)
($50 per person)

INDIVIDUAL BOWLER
($75 per person)

TEAM/ CORPORATE LANE
($1,500 one lane with 6 bowlers)

CONFIRMED BOWLERS:
Ann Boleyn (Hellion)
Athena (Lee) Kottak (Femme Fatale)
Audie Desbrow (Great White)
Bjorn Englen (Dio Disciples)
Bob Kulick (Paul Stanley Band)
Brian Tichy
Chris Broderick (Act Of Defiance)
Christian Martucci (Stone Sour)
Courtney Cox (Femme Fatale)
Craig Goldy (Dio)
Dave Alford (Rough Cutt)
Eddie Trunk
Erin Gavin (Femme Fatale)
Gabbie Rae
Gonzo Sandoval (Armored Saint)
Henry Derek
Jack Black (Tenacious D)
Janis Tanaka (Femme Fatale)
Jeff Pilson (Dio, Foreigner)
Jimmy Bain (Dio)
Katt Scarlett (Femme Fatale)
Kyle Gass (Tenacious D)
Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale)
Marc Ferrari (Keel)
Mark Kendall (Great White)
Marty O’Brien (Lita Ford)
Matt Duncan (DC4/Odin)
Michael Lardie (Great White)
Monte Pittman (Madonna, solo artist)
Nick Van Dyk
Nikki Stringfield (Femme Fatale)
Patrick Kennison (Lita Ford)
Phil Sandoval (Armored Saint)
Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders)
Rock Feinstein (Elf, The Rods)
Robbie Crane (Black Star Riders)
Rowan Robertson (Dio, DC4, Bang Tango)
Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour)
Rudy Sarzo (Dio, Ozzy, Whitesnake, Quiet Riot, Gunzo)
Sean McNabb (Quiet Riot, Lynch Mob)
Simon Wright (Dio)
Scott Snyder (Great White)
Scott Warren (Dio)
Steven Adler (Guns ‘n Roses, Adler)
Terry Ilous (Great White)
Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, solo artist)
Tyler Connolly (Theory of a Deadman)

ATTENDING ONLY:
Joe Retta (Dio Disciples)
Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning)
John Konesky (Tenacious D)
John Spiker (Tenacious D)
Keith St. John (Montrose, Burning Rain)
Lita Ford
Oni Logan (Dio Disciples, Lynch Mob)
Shane Fitzgibbon
Tracii Guns (Gunzo, LA Guns)
Brooks Wackerman (Tenacious D, Bad Religion)
Vinny Appice (Dio, Heaven & Hell)

MAY 16: Ronnie James Dio 5th Year Memorial Service
and Celebration of Ronnie’s Music
Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
6300 Forest Lawn Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90068
1:00-5:00pm (doors at 12:00pm)
MORE INFO: http://www.diocancerfund.org/events/

A FREE public Memorial Service will take place at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Saturday, May 16 to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Ronnie’s passing. Several former band members and friends who worked with Ronnie over his illustrious career will be speaking and performing his music. As seating for this event is limited, if you are interested in attending, please send an email, along with your name, phone number and the number of seats to: info@diocancerfund.org

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
Dr. Sandy Kapoor
Lita Ford
Wyn Davis
Dean Schachtel
April Eppolito
Sheila Melody
Paul Shortino
Rock Feinstein
Vinny Appice
Steve Mignardi
Rudy Sarzo
Craig Goldy
Scott Warren
Scott (Big Scott) Sentinella
Wendy Dio

CONFIRMED PERFORMANCES/ATTENDEES:
“LISA” (acoustic) – Lita Ford, Patrick Kennison (The Union Underground), Marty O’Brien
“HEAVEN & HELL” (acoustic) – GREAT WHITE
“LAST IN LINE” (acoustic) – GREAT WHITE feat. Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fetale)
“TAKE HER” – ROUGH CUTT (Paul Shortino, Amir Derakh, Chris Hager, Matt Thorne, Dave Alford)
“MISTREATED” – John Payne (Asia), Rock Feinstein (Elf, The Rods), Christian Martucci (Stone Sour), Sean Mcnabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)
“RAINBOW IN THE DARK” – Gabbie Rae, Rowan Robertson (Dio), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Geoff Tate, Dio), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)
“SIGN OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS” – Ann Boleyn, Craig Goldy (Dio), Sean Mcnabb (Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White), Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)
“STARGAZER” – DIO DISCIPLES: Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), Joe Retta (Sweet), Craig Goldy (Dio), Bjorn Englen (Hellion), Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC) & Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)
“STAND UP AND SHOUT” – Ricky Warwick (Black Star Riders), Robbie Crane (Black Star Riders), Chris Broderick (ex-Megadeth, Act of Defiance), Jimmy Bain (Dio, Rainbow) & Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell)
MAY 17: RIDE FOR RONNIE Motorcycle Ride and BBQ
Harley-Davidson of Glendale
3717 San Fernando Rd
Glendale, CA 91204
Pre-Registered Rider Check-In
On-Site Registration
9:00am – 10:45am

Continental Breakfast
9:00am – 10:30am

Kickstands Up at 11:00am To
Los Encinos State Historic Park
16756 Moorpark Street
Encino, CA 91436
BBQ & Live Music
12:00pm to 5:00pm

RIDER REGISTRATION & BBQ ADMISSION:
Rider $75
Rider & Passenger $120
BBQ General Admission $55
http://www.diocancerfund.org/rideforronnie
Riders will check-in at Harley-Davidson of Glendale, where they can enjoy a continental breakfast with entertainment and prizes provided by The Sound 100.3. The first 200 registered riders will receive a limited edition RIDE FOR RONNIE Challenge Coin! Participants will depart Glendale, traveling the freeways of the north San Fernando Valley, then down the 405 to a BBQ at Los Encinos Historical Park in Encino. The BBQ will feature great food and drink, live music by Ronnie’s former bandmates and friends, raffle prizes, live auction and much more! A special Condor Squadron fly-by of seven vintage World War II airplanes will take place at 2:30pm at the BBQ. http://www.condorsquadron.org/

BBQ is included for registered riders and passengers. BBQ-only tickets for non-riders are available for advance purchase. Please note: event is subject to sell-out and tickets may not be available at the door. Avoid disappointment and purchase your tickets in advance!

CONFIRMED PERFORMERS:
***Performances subject to change/surprises
• Eddie Money
• Dio Disciples: Oni Logan (Lynch Mob), Joe Retta (Sweet), Craig Goldy (Dio), Bjorn Englen (Hellion), Simon Wright (Dio, AC/DC), Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)
• Gabbie Rae, Rowan Robertson (Dio), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Geoff Tate, Yngwie, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult), Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, Rick Derringer, Heaven & Hell), Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven & Hell)
• DC4: Shawn Duncan (Armored Saint), Jeff Duncan (Armored Saint), Matt Duncan (Armored Saint) & Rowan Robertson (Dio)
Others: Joe Colover, John Hatfield, Jessie Sanches, Patrick Martin
This weekend’s events are sponsored by Monster Energy, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, 100.3 FM The Sound, Ninkasi Brewing, B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company and Western Bagels.

Check back at the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund website www.diocancerfund.org for updates.

Slash Partners With International Fund For Animal Welfare

Posted on May 8, 2015 by newsteam

Iconic American rock guitarist, songwriter and film producer Slash has partnered with International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to raise awareness of the slaughter of elephants which is leading to their early extinction. To watch the video and get the song “Beneath The Savage Sun” for free, donate (HERE) and take action (HERE). The U.S.-based charity IFAW works around the world on every aspect of the elephant crisis-on the front lines to stop the killing of elephants, in transit countries to stop the trafficking of ivory and in consumer countries to stop the demand for ivory products. For more information, go here.

While on tour in South Africa, Slash and the lead singer of his band Myles Kennedy witnessed the devastation of the elephants first-hand and knew they had to act. Together, they wrote the song “Beneath The Savage Sun” from the perspective of an elephant whose family has been wiped out. The hypnotic rock song is a highlight on the group’s critically acclaimed current album World On Fire.

“An elephant is killed every 15 minutes for its ivory and the result is the elephant population has declined 95% in the past century,” explains Slash. “Seeing that these majestic animals are on the path to extinction, possibly within the next decade, we wrote ‘Beneath The Savage Sun’ and partnered with IFAW. Donate to IFAW’s work to take action and protect elephants.”

May 08: Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom – Hampton Beach, NH
May 09: Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion – Bangor, ME (Rise Above Fest 2015)
May 12: Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
May 13: Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD
May 15: Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, OH (Rock on the Range)
May 18: Concord Music Hall – Chicago, IL
May 19: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City, IA
May 21: Stubb’s Waller Creek Outdoor – Austin, TX
May 23: House of Blues – Houston, TX
May 24: Southside Ballroom – Dallas, TX

European Tour Dates;
Jun 01: Sentrum Scene – Oslo (NO)
Jun 03: Sweden Rock Festival 2015 – Solvesborg (SE)
Jun 05: Rock Im Park 2015 – Nuremberg (DE)
Jun 09: Sportshalle – Hamburg (DE)
Jun 10: Zitadelle – Berlin (DE)
Jun 12: Pinkpop – Landgraf (NL)
Jun 14: Download Festival – Donington Park (UK)
Jun 17: The Rockhal – Luxembourg (LX)
Jun 19: Graspop – Dessel (BE)
Jun 20: Hellfest – Clisson (FR)
Jun 23: Rock In Roma 2015 – Rome (IT)
Jun 24: Fiera Arena – Milan (IT)
Jun 28: Arnele Romane – Bucharest (RO)
Jun 29: Hristo Bostev Hall – Sofia (BG)
Jul 01: Volt Festival – Sopron (HU)
Jul 02: Castle Clam – Vienna (AT)
Jul 04: Arena Geneve – Geneva (SI)
Jul 05: Theatre de Verdure – Nice (FR)
Jul 07: Barclaycard Arena – Madrid (ES)
Jul 08: St Jordi – Barcelona (ES)
Jul 10: Musilac Festival – Aixs-les-Bains (FR)

Slash on Twitter
Slash on YouTube

Auction To Win A Bid For Personal Drum Lessons With Stephen Perkins Of Jane’s Addiction

Posted on May 6, 2015 by newsteam

Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction has donated personal sessions/lessons with him at the Foo Fighter’s 606 Studios in Northridge, CA as a charity bid for the Rock Against MS Foundation.

Here is what you will bid on: PRIVATE 2 HR DRUM LESSON WITH STEPHEN PERKINS (JANE’S ADDICTION) AT THE FOO FIGHTERS PRIVATE STUDIO – THE FAMOUS 606 STUDIOS – AND YOU GET YOUR LESSON RECORDED BY FOO FIGHTER ENGINEER – THE AMAZING JOHN “LOU” LOUSTEAU – Plus other cool stuff!! IN BENEFIT OF THE ROCK AGAINST MS FOUNDATION!

BID HERE.

Music Video: HELLYEAH – Hush

Posted on April 20, 2015 by newsteam

HELLYEAH have launched a $10,000 crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo as part of an awareness and education campaign to prevent domestic abuse, and partnering up with nomore.org. This campaign ties into their latest music video for “Hush,” and 100% of the proceeds will go to A Call To Men, providing education and awareness about domestic violence prevention.

Juliet Simms and Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides) Support LGBT Youth Program

Posted on March 17, 2015 by newsteam

Juliet Simms and Black Veil Brides vocalist Andy Biersack have joined forces with the Alive Music Project and the It Gets Better Campaign to support LGBT youth, challenge homophonia and expose new communities to the message of equality through music.

Watch the video below about the projects and the Prizeo campaign offering rewards such as signed photos, t-shirts, signed guitars, and even a personalized tattoo design. One lucky entrant will win a trip to 2015 Vans Warped Tour on August 7th in Portland, OR from anywhere in the world and will receive VIP tickets and travel on Juliet and Andy’s tour bus to Seattle, WA on August 8th.

Juliet Simms on Twitter
Juliet Simms on Facebook

Crazy Dave’s Music Experience Announces 2015 Festival Lineup

Posted on March 12, 2015 by newsteam

The Crazy Dave’s Music Experience will make an appearance at the Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville in Jacksonville, FL on April 25 and 26, 2015. They are already confirmed to appear on Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion on May 2 and 3, 2015 in Concord, NC and Rock On The Range on May 15, 16 and 17, 2015 in Columbus, OH.

Students and Mark “Squiggy” DiGiacomo tour the LOUDER THAN LIFE 2014 festival grounds in Louisville

Powered by Musicians Institute, this is a free, travelling interactive exhibit where fans get the rock star treatment and get hands on interaction with tons of musical equipment, much like their favorite artists, participate in Meet and greets with their favorite artists, attend clinics, check out acoustic sets, win prizes and more. The exhibit is designed to tell the iconic stories of the music brands that helped build the industry.

Students with members of Nothing More

The Student Experience is a newly added community outreach program for aspiring young musicians (open to students second grade through college), and to receive behind the scenes access to meeting band members, sound and lighting engineers, guitar techs, production staff, and representatives from instrument manufacturers.

Check out video highlights of The Student Experience here and here.

The Crazy Dave’s Student Experience from S Thomas Crane on Vimeo.

The Crazy Dave’s Music Experience from S Thomas Crane on Vimeo.

Rob Caggiano of Volbeat meets fans at The Crazy Dave’s Music Experience

Student playing guitar at The Crazy Dave’s Music Experience

Crazy Dave’s Music Experience on Facebook
The Student Experience Website

Adopt The Arts Adds High School For Music Program

Posted on February 19, 2015 by newsteam

Los Angeles based non profit Adopt The Arts will be adopting another school for their program to preserve and creating arts programs in US public schools. Santana Alternative High School in La Puente, CA will be launching a school adoption on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 12:30 pm.

ADOPT THE ARTS founder Matt Sorum and ATA board member actor Johnathon Schaech at Westminster Elementary in Venice, CA.

Adopt The Arts will bring electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, drums, microphones and amplifiers to the adoption ceremony.

“As a public school, Santana High School’s arts program doesn’t receive enough funds and they needed instruments,” explains Adopt The Arts co-founder Matt Sorum. “I took on Santana because I care about these kids’ future. When I was their age, my life in music began as soon as I graduated and I was off on my journey to Hollywood. I want to give these kids options and inspire them to go after their dreams be it music or anything else. The social skills learned through being in a group of musicians will carry them as they navigate the road ahead.”

The new music room at Westminster Elementary in Venice, CA.

Adopt the Arts was founded by musician Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and activist Abby Berman and works to preserve arts programs in U.S. public schools. Actors Jane Lynch and Johnathon Schaech are on the Adopt The Arts Board of Directors; the advisory board includes: Shepard Fairey (Artist), John Stamos (Actor and musician), Slash (Musician), Gina Gershon (Actor), Juliette Lewis (Actor), Danny Masterson (Actor), Steve Stevens (Musician), Billy Bob Thornton (Actor), Michael Wincott (Actor) and Adrian Young (Musician). To raise awareness, Adopt the Arts honors individuals who’ve had a long-lasting impact on music culture and who inspire young musicians to follow in their footsteps.

On February 5, Adopt the Arts garnered a generous five-year donation commitment to Westminster Elementary from The Carter Lay Charitable Fund. The donation included the funding and salary for a new music teacher at Westminster Elementary in Venice, CA as well as the addition of a new music room stocked with keyboards, acoustic guitars, a drum kit, microphones and amplifiers.

Rockers Raise Awareness of Save Your Hearing Campaign

Posted on February 18, 2015 by News Team

Cancer Bats

Bands such as Cancer Bats, The Blackout and While She Sleeps have lent their voices to campaign for greater Hearing Awareness for the Save Your Hearing Campaign and the dangers of not wearing ear protection at concerts. Each band has united with online retailer Allearplugs.com in conjunction with Tinnitus Awareness Week (#Tinnitus) which was last week in the UK. According to Action on Hearing Loss, As of 2011, 10 million people in the UK suffered some form of hearing loss, with that figure expected to reach 14.5 million by 2031. About 10 per cent of the population have also experienced tinnitus, a debilitating condition frequently caused by excessive noise, and common amongst rock stars. To do their part and pitch in each band shared positive messages about using hearing protection at concerts with their respective fan bases via social media and other methods to help get the word out. For more information, visit http://www.allearplugs.com/help-centre/save-your-hearing-campaign.aspx

The Blackout

While She Sleeps

Press Notes

THE BLACKOUT, CANCER BATS AND WHILE SHE SLEEPS THROW WEIGHT BEHIND HEARING SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Online retailer Allearplugs.com has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the potential damage that can be done if you expose your hearing to persistently loud noises. To kick start the campaign three of the rock world’s most celebrated bands lending their support, urging fans to wear ear protection whenever they attend gigs.

Hardcore punkers Cancer Bats, Welsh post-hardcore act The Blackout and Sheffield metalcore mob While She Sleeps have all thrown their weight behind the campaign, sending out messages to their substantial online following.

An average rock concert has been measured by Action on Hearing Loss as being around 115dB, 35dB over what’s considered the ‘danger level’. This is enough to start causing damage after less than ten minutes – barely enough for three songs, let alone a whole evening.

According to a report from Action on Hearing Loss, awareness is still low, with on 34 per cent of the young people surveyed believing that hearing loss would affect their lives in some way, and 88 per cent disagreeing that music is played too loudly at gigs/concerts. Some participants even believed that the ‘type of ear’ was to blame for hearing loss. 90% per cent of young people have experienced ringing in their ears – an early sign of damage – at least once.

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