Alternative Music

JUDAS PRIEST was rejoined by guitarist Glenn Tipton on stage during the band’s headlining concert Wednesday night (March 30) at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. As he has done a number of other times over the course of the last four years, Tipton appeared with PRIEST for the encore, performing “Metal Gods”, “Breaking The Law” and “Living After Midnight”. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below. Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of JUDAS PRIEST‘s latest studio album, “Firepower”. He was replaced by “Firepower” album prod...

In a new interview with Chaoszine, former ACCEPT and current U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider spoke about the changes he has seen in the music industry since he started out more than five decades ago. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “There have definitely been some changes in the music business. [Laughs] Yeah, it’s not like the ’80s anymore. Definitely the selling of CDs going down. On one hand, we can be lucky with our kind of music — the people wanna really have the physical [product] in their hands, so we are not [as affected by the music streaming revolution] as what’s happened, for example, in pop music or whatever. But it is like, really, you’re selling less albums. The biggest problem, I think, it’s for young bands. They cannot sell...

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea has paid tribute to FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died more than a week ago at the age of 50. Speaking to Radio X‘s Johnny Vaughan, he said about Taylor‘s passing (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “[It was] absolutely shocking. I love Taylor. He was an uplifting dude. Before I ever met Taylor and long before he ever played in the FOO FIGHTERS, one of my best friends growing up, my friend Tree [Keith Barry] who I started my music school with, he was teaching music at a music school down in Orange County here in L.A., and he was, like, ‘Man, there’s this kid here selling guitar strings, and he’s a star. He’s a drummer, and I’m telling you he’s gonna be a rock star.’ And that was Tayl...

HEART singer Ann Wilson has criticized the pitch-correction technology Auto-Tune, saying it is the imperfections of the human voice that make music appealing. Created by musician and geophysical scientist Dr. Andy Hildebrand in 1997, Auto-Tune is a software program that digitally corrects pitch, allowing singers who sing off key to produce perfectly tuned vocal tracks. Since its introduction, the plugin has become standard equipment in professional recording studios, but the anti-Auto-Tune movement is vocal. In a new interview with “The Jasta Show”, Wilson stated that it is natural flaws and imperfections that make a voice memorable and affecting. “I think the little rough places or a little out-of-tune soulful quirks about our vocal are the thing that makes it sound like...

On March 31, Madame Tussauds London unveiled its David Bowie figure. Working in partnership with Bowie‘s estate and using information from his 1983 sitting, Madame Tussauds London‘s new figure is the second to be created of Bowie and immortalizes his alter ego, the extra-terrestrial rock star Ziggy Stardust. Fans of the icon of sound and vision will recognize the Starman’s signature red hairstyle, cosmic jumpsuit and celestial makeup made famous in the 1970s. Bowie‘s new figure marks the launch of Madame Tussauds‘s newly revamped Music Festival zone, the only place where guests can experience a truly impossible lineup of musical greats. From posing with Beyoncé and Amy Winehouse, jamming with Jimi Hendrix and Ed Sheeran to owning the stage alongside Freddie Me...

In a new interview with SPIN, AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry reflected on his 2016 health scare when he collapsed onstage with his other band the HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES, later citing dehydration and exhaustion. Asked if he was worried he wouldn’t be able to perform after that, Perry said: “It was really a bummer. I let the guys down. And also my family was there, which is even more important. It woke me up to the fact that I’m not bulletproof. I discovered some physical things that I had to adjust. My mother had cholesterol problems early on. You know, just certain medications I take, and others can’t. I mean, it was definitely a scare. But in my heart — and I’m saying that figuratively [laughs] — I knew I’ll be back on my feet playing.” In November 201...

RATING: 8/10 Everybody needs to have their spirits raised from time to time. THE HELLACOPTERS were always particularly good at such things, delivering seven soil-scorching albums between 1996’s seminal “Supershitty to the Max!” and 2008’s “Head Off” swansong, and nearly always sounding like the greatest, coolest and most celebratory rock ‘n’ roll band in the world. Founder and frontman Nicke Andersson has busied himself with all manner of projects since, not least the very nearly as good IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC, but the long-awaited return of his most successful band feels both necessary and extremely welcome. “Eyes Of Oblivion” is exactly what was needed, too: a balls-out hard rock record, ten songs deep, no messing about. Fourte...

LYNYRD SKYNYRD lead singer Johnny Van Zant and his brother Donnie Van Zant of 38 SPECIAL have written and recorded a new campaign theme song for Florida governor Ron DeSantis. Earlier today (Friday, April 1), Johnny told Fox News ‘ “Fox & Friends” that DeSantis stands for everything that he and his brother, who were born in Jacksonville, believe in. “We got to thank Governor DeSantis for standing and believing for what he believes… He’s been a great governor for us,” Johnny said. “He stands up for what he believes. So don’t come down here trying to change things we’re doing all right in the Sunshine State. Stay out of our business. Leave our governor alone. Down in sweet, sweet Florida our governor is red, white and blue… He&#...