Alternative Music
Caroline Spence Teams Up with Matt Berninger on “I Know You Know Me”: Stream
Caroline Spence has enlisted The National’s Matt Berninger for her latest single “I Know You Know Me” via Rounder Records. On the romantic ballad, the pair conjure up a sweeping tale of intimacy and connection. “No matter where the storm is in my mind/ It’ll never be a place that you can’t find/ You hold the candle, oh, you hold the key/ I know you know me,” they sing in unison before lush strings cascade into the chorus. “I’m still beside myself that Matt agreed to be a part of this song,” Spence said in a statement. “I recorded my own solo version for my upcoming record, but always saw potential for it as a duet. Matt’s voice brought a new depth to the narrative and the sonic palette of this song.” Advertisement Related Video The song is a follow-up to the Nashville-based singer’s 2...
WILLOW Lends “emo girl” Authenticity to Machine Gun Kelly on New Song: Stream
Over the past few years, both Machine Gun Kelly and WILLOW have pivoted into pop punk. The key difference is MGK was pushing 30 when he switched over from rapping and the longtime genre-fluid WILLOW was just around drinking age. That’s why the latter’s contribution to their new collaboration “emo girl” is so crucial. Having grown up on My Chemical Romance and Paramore, pop punk was a natural progression for WILLOW, which makes the origins of “emo girl” so infuriating. While WILLOW expressed her appreciation for “just being able to be authentically me” on the track during a Rolling Stone conversation with Barker last year, the Blink-182 drummer revealed that he and MGK already had a verse written for her. Thankfully, the final lyrics didn’t end up being written from the perspective of two c...
RIAA Moves Against HitPiece, Calls For Permanent End To ‘Bogus’ NFT Site’s Infringement Of Artist Rights
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today sent a demand letter to the attorney representing the notorious (and now offline) web site called HitPiece that has been selling music-related NFTs, demanding the site stop infringing music creator intellectual property (IP) rights, provide a complete listing of site activities and revenues to date, and account for all NFTs and artwork auctioned off. RIAA‘s chairman and chief operating officer Mitch Glazier explained the association’s decision to move so quickly: “As music lovers and artists embrace new technologies like NFTs, there’s always someone looking to exploit their excitement and energy. Given how fans were misled and defrauded by these unauthorized NFTs and the massive risk to both fans and artists...
STEVE VAI On Possibility Of Reunion Of DAVID LEE ROTH’s ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’ Solo Band: ‘The Train Has Left The Station’
Guitar legend Steve Vai says that the train has “left the station” when it comes to a proposed reunion of VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth‘s solo band following the cancelation of their November 2015 performance in Hollywood. Roth‘s “Eat ‘Em And Smile” reunion at the Lucky Strike Live nearly seven years ago was called off at the last minute by the fire marshal. The show would have marked the first time in three decades that Roth joined Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Greg Bissonette (RINGO STARR & HIS ALL-STARR BAND) and keyboardist Brett Tuggle to perform some of the hits from the classic LP. Asked in a new interview with Barbara Caserta of Italy’s Linea Rock about the possibility of a “Eat ‘Em And Smile”-era band re...
QUEENSRŸCHE’s MICHAEL WILTON Fires Back At ‘YouTuber Guitar Players’ Who ‘Think So Highly Of Themselves’
In a new interview with Premier Guitar, QUEENSRŸCHE‘s Michael Wilton was asked to name his guitar pet peeve. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I think it would have to be the YouTuber guitar players that think so highly of themselves and they cut down other players. For me, it’s, like, you’ve gotta pay your dues. You’ve gotta be out in the trenches. I mean, I’ve been doing this for 40 years, and for some YouTuber to cut me down, that’s… It’s… [laughs and shakes head]” QUEENSRŸCHE recently entered the studio to begin recording its new album for a tentative late 2022 release. Helming the effort once again is Chris “Zeuss” Harris, who previously worked with the band on 2015’s “Condition Hüman”...
TED NUGENT Says He Won’t Play Any Concerts Where Venues Enforce COVID-19 Vaccine, Mask Mandates
During his February 3 YouTube livestream, outspoken conservative rocker Ted Nugent discussed his plans to hit the road in support of his new album, “Detroit Muscle”, which is due on April 29 via Pavement Music. The follow-up to 2018’s “The Music Made Me Do It” was recorded with Ted‘s current band, which includes bassist Greg Smith and drummer Jason Hartless. “Tickets go on sale tomorrow, I think, for this gonzo beach party rock and roll concert headlined by Ted Nugent in Panama City [Florida] on April 29th,” Ted said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “Write that down. That’s confirmed. There’ll be no mask mandates; there’ll be no bullshit. And the next night, the headliner is my buddy Kid Rock. I’m not promis...
Guns N’ Roses’ 10 Best Songs
Despite being overtly influenced — both musically and visually — by heavyweights like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Hanoi Rocks, and Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses have always had a sound all their own. As with many seminal genre acts, the key to their success is the distinctive dynamic between their vocalist (Axl Rose) and guitarist (Slash); that said, many other members — namely, drummers Steven Adler and Matt Sorum; bassist Duff McKagan, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, and keyboardist Dizzy Reed — played important parts, too. Together, they became arguably the biggest hard rock band of their generation. Guns N’ Roses debut album, Appetite for Destruction, launched their career in a colossal way in 1987. Thirty-five years later, it remains one of the best-selling albums of all time. The band would foll...
Rap Song of the Week: Actually, Megan Thee Stallion’s Branded Cheetos Song “Flamin’ Hottie” Is Kind of Good
Our recurring feature Rap Song of the Week breaks down the hip-hop songs you need to hear every Friday. Check out the full playlist here. This week, Megan Thee Stallion secures the bag with “Flamin’ Hottie.” Considering Megan Thee Stallion’s complicated record label situation, the H-Town Hottie is hardly bringing in the money that she should be for an artist of her stature. So no one begrudged her for teaming up with Popeyes last year, and now she’s partnered with Frito-Lay to promote Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (leaving Lil Xan in shambles) and Doritos. Later this month, Meg will be starring in a Super Bowl commercial alongside Charlie Puth, but today she’s given fans an idea of what to expect with “Flamin’ Hottie.” Meg at least put in more than a minimal effort into making the branded track...
Black Country, New Road Release Sophomore Album Ants From Up There: Stream
Black Country, New Road have released their second album Ants From Up There less than a week after frontman Isaac Wood announced his amicable departure from the band. Stream it below. The founding member and lead singer cited mental health struggles in the opening of the band’s full official statement, shared via their social accounts on January 31st. “I have been feeling sad and afraid too…it is the kind of sad and afraid feeling that makes it hard to play guitar and sing at the same time,” Wood wrote. “To be clear: this is completely in spite of six of the greatest people I know, who were and are wonderful in a sparkling way.” Advertisement Related Video The UK rock collective march forward on their last set as a seven-piece by deepening their sonic arsenal and extending their ...
Song of the Week: Red Hot Chili Peppers Welcome Us To a “Black Summer”
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, the Red Hot Chili Peppers signal the arrival of their new era with the triumphant “Black Summer.” From the first warm tones of the guitar, two things are clear: Red Hot Chili Peppers are back, and John Frusciante has rejoined the legendary rockers. “Black Summer” marks the Chili Peppers’ first single since 2016’s lackluster The Gateway, and with Frusciante back, they sound renewed and refreshed. His signature guitar sound is heavily highlighted on “Black Summer,” linking perfectly with Flea’s energetic bass work and stepping out f...
ROB HALFORD On K.K. DOWNING Being Inducted Into ROCK HALL With JUDAS PRIEST: ‘I Don’t Think It’ll Be Awkward At All’
JUDAS PRIEST‘s Ian Hill and Rob Halford have told Billboard that they would be happy to stand alongside founding guitarist K.K. Downing at a hypothetical Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction later this year. “It’s not a problem to us, no,” Hill said. “Ken was an integral part of this band for a very, very long time. He deserves to be there along with the rest of us.” Halford predicted that, “It won’t be as awkward as Ace [Frehley] and Peter [Criss with KISS‘s Rock Hall induction]. I don’t think it’ll be awkward at all. I think you have to let all of that go because it’s the night that matters. It’s the moment that matters — but, again, the proverbial saying, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”...
Current Owner Of VINNIE PAUL’s Home In Texas: ‘It Was Meant To Be A Party House’
The current owner of the Arlington, Texas home that was once owned by late PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott recently listed the property for $750,000. Vinnie Paul designed the 3,784-square-foot home, which sits on 1.5 acres and offers expansive views of Arlington, downtown Fort Worth and Las Colinas. Chris Johnston, co-owner of Texas Best Home Buyers and who is selling the home with his son, Christopher, told The Dallas Morning News the property will interest music and sports lovers, as well as local history buffs. “I’ve been in real estate a long time, and I’ve never seen anything like this house,” Johnston said. “It was not built to be a family home. It was meant to be a party house.” The secluded hilltop house, which was completed in 1995, features ...
