In this episode, Tom Osman interviews Zachary Amster of Heavy Stoner Rock band Abrams! Their new album “Blue City” released in May of 2024 via Blues Funeral Recordings! Zachary and Tom chatted about the new album, recording with Kurt Ballou (Converge, High on Fire), “covid albums,” and the 1990s Seattle Grunge scene’s impact on the band.Continue reading
The remaining living members of Soundgarden have not played together since Chris Cornell died in May of 2017 and the subsequent 2019 tribute concert in Los Angeles. Last night in Seattle at the legendary Showbox Theater the band reunited with local post-Grunge / Soul singer Shania Shepherd to perform a short set of Soundgarden hits, deep cuts, and a cover as The Nudedragons for the Smooch Children’s Hospital benefit show. The band were also joined by Guns N Roses bassist and friend Duff McKagan who also performed tonight. They played “Kickstand” and covered “Kick Out The Jams” by The MC5. You can watch the full fan-filmed set from the band below check out the cool setlist. Continue reading
Friday:
A challenge of being a concert photographer is seldom experiencing a full set. Often, I dash between stages, trying to capture each band as if on a Pokémon quest – though “gotta shoot ’em all” has a different ring to it. Nonetheless, the silver lining is I often witness a good portion of every set over the weekend. Here are my top picks and suggestions from Bloodstock’s two smaller stages, showcasing their stellar support for the underground scene and nurturing emerging metal talent in the UK and beyond.Continue reading
Photo 101231719 | Linkin Park © Jaroslav Noska | Dreamstime.com
Chester Charles Bennington, lead singer of Linkin Park, Grey Daze, and Stone Temple Pilots died six years ago today in 2017. He was 41 years old. Said to be despondent over the death of his best friend Chris Cornell from suicide, just a few months earlier, Chester succumbed to his own depression. Both Cornell and Bennington bonded over music and overcoming addictions. Considered by many to be the greatest vocalist of his generation, music fans who grew up with LP continue to carry his memory and music daily. LP and Chester’s widow Talinda continue his passion for good works with the One More Light Foundation charity. Join us in tribute to Chester with some of his music. Rest in power.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Available 24/7
Call 1-800-273-8255
When the David Lynch-directed movie The Straight Story was released in 1999 it was a surprising departure for anyone familiar with the creator of Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet. The surprise wasn’t floating aliens, ladies in radiators or ears in paper bags. Quite the opposite. Lynch had already exposed audiences to the dark and bizarre in many forms; it was the absence of surrealistic shock that made the poignancy of one man’s single-minded road trip to reconnect with his ill brother so strange. This was not what was expected. This was not the formula that audiences were starting to think they’d figured out.
Once again we count off another dark year and remark on the passing of the iconic artist Chris Cornell, who passed away six years ago today. Few have had the ability and success music world, with both bands and a solo career reaching acclaim with three legendary bands such as Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog as Chris did. Gifted with an incredible voice, songwriting talent, guitar-ability, and charisma; he helped define an entire generation of artists who followed him and his music. RIP Chris.
If you are having mental health and emotional issues, know that you are loved and valued. Please click this link to seek help. Continue reading
Critics who claim Rock And Roll is dead have not listened to Wisconsin native Jared James Nichols’ self-titled third album (Black Hill Records) which is filled with twelve pieces of evidence to the contrary. Nichols is known for his signature pick-less style and is one of only four global ambassadors for Gibson Guitars, which certainly sets expectations high for what you are about to experience.Continue reading
Chris Cornell passed away five years ago today. Gifted with an incredible voice, songwriting talent, guitar-ability, and charisma; he helped define an an entire generation of artists who followed him and his bands. Few have had the ability and success music world, with both a solo project and acclaim with three different iconic bands such as Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog as Chris did. If you are having mental health and emotional issues, know that you are loved and valued. Please, don’t be afraid to seek help. Continue reading
Having amassed a discography of over twenty albums as the lead vocalist (of which this is the fifth solely under his own name), and nearly two dozen guest appearances across a thirty year professional recording career, you could have forgiven James LaBrie for taking some overdue and well-earned time off when the 2020 Dream Theater world tour was halted. Instead, he and Eden’s Curse (whose Trinity album was adorned by his distinctive a glorious pipes) guitarist Paul Logue began trading the musical ideas that would grow into Beautiful Shade of Gray (InsideOut Music).
Tenebra – Moongazer (New Heavy Sounds / Seeing Red)
There is something evocative about the retro / occult rock of Italian quartet Tenebra that is encapsulated in a most vigorous way on the third track of Moongazer, ‘Black Lace’. A steady, spacious build from jangled, careful chords that takes its time gives room for the powerful smoke-and-whiskey vocals of Silvia to take centre stage, before a Zeppelin-esque vocal-led coda closes things out. It is not the only, nor possibly even the best, song to do this, but as a drawing together of the best elements of the Tenebra sound perhaps serves as their best showpiece. Continue reading