Music

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has blasted people who are defiantly skeptical of mask wearing, saying that their refusal to follow the rules is putting all of our health at risk. The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention has emphasized social distancing for the general population and self-quarantine for people with COVID-19 symptoms. In a new interview with Edmonton, Alberta, Canada’s K-97 radio station, Simmons said that he wants everyone to stop complaining when it comes to being in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, because it’s actually not that hard to just stay at home. “Right now, the pandemic is not fun,” he said (hear audio below). “It is devastating for families who’ve lost loved ones. A million people are dead around the world ...

Yamaha today introduced the Attitude 30th bass celebrating the company’s 30-year instrument collaboration with Billy Sheehan, one of the most acclaimed bassists in rock music. Sheehan, known for his work with TALAS, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, MR. BIG, NIACIN, SONS OF APOLLO and THE WINERY DOGS, has been a Yamaha artist for 36 years. He first experimented with features such as scalloped fingerboard and dual outputs on his original, heavily customized bass, which he affectionately refers to it as “The Wife,” and brought these defining elements to his signature Yamaha Attitude series. “The Wife” is the inspiration behind the Attitude 30th, and with the help of Pat Campolattano, senior designer and luthier, Yamaha Guitar Group, the new bass incorporates the design...

DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse says that he “combined” the playing styles of Ritchie Blackmore and Joe Satriani when he first joined the band more than 25 years ago. Blackmore is a co-founder of DEEP PURPLE and wrote many of their most memorable riffs, including “Smoke On The Water”, but he has not played with the group since his 1993 departure. Morse effectively took over Blackmore‘s slot in 1994 and has since been in the group longer than Ritchie. Asked in a new interview with FOX17 Rock & Review if replacing Blackmore in PURPLE was “intimidating,” Morse replied (see video below): “Actually, technically, I replaced Joe Satriani, because he finished the tour — they had some Japanese dates or something, and he finished the tour with th...

FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares says that the door for vocalist Burton C. Bell to come back to the band “won’t stay open forever.” On Monday (September 28), Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, explaining that he “cannot align” himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect. Bell‘s exit from FEAR FACTORY came more than two weeks after Cazares launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist him with the production costs associated with the release of FEAR FACTORY‘s long-awaited new album. Earlier today, Dino issued the following statement via social media: “The departure of the Dry Lung Vocal Martyr” “Last week Burton C Bell announced his decision to leave FEAR FACTORY. We were all sadde...