Alternative Music
Foo Fighters Head to Fraggle Rock on New Song “Fraggle Rock Rock”: Stream
Dance your cares away because Foo Fighters have released their new Fraggle Rock-inspired single, the appropriately titled “Fraggle Rock Rock.” It appears on the soundtrack to Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, which premiered on Apple TV+ today. Dave Grohl and co. are clearly having the time of their lives on the irresistibly catchy tune, wailing, “‘Cause everybody here gotta shout till we all break out/ Rock, rock, Fraggle Rock/ We’re gonna rock our way to freedom/ Gonna run right back and see ’em/ Gonna flip, flop, skippity hop/ Back to Fraggle Rock,” over scorching guitars on the deliriously fun chorus. Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock features the classic characters Red Fraggle, Gogo Fraggle, Mokey Fraggle, Wembley Fraggle, Boober Fraggle, and Uncle Traveling Matt. All 13 episodes of t...
Fugees Cancel Reunion Tour Citing COVID-19 Pandemic
With Fugees, “Ready or Not” somehow always turns out to be “Not.” The much-anticipated reunion tour marking the 25th anniversary of The Score had already been postponed once, but now it’s been officially cancelled, as the pioneering hip-hop group cited concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel were originally scheduled to hit the road last November, but as COVID entered its winter surge, the start date was pushed back to February 2022. This time, Fugees aren’t even rescheduling. “We anticipate and understand disappointment but our anniversary tour will not be able to happen,” they said in a social media statement. “The continued COVID pandemic has made touring conditions difficult, and we want to make sure we keep our fans and oursel...
THE HALO EFFECT Feat. Former IN FLAMES Members: Second Single ‘Feel What I Believe’ Now Available
THE HALO EFFECT, the new project featuring five former members of the Swedish metal band IN FLAMES — Jesper Strömblad (guitar), Daniel Svensson (drums), Peter Iwers (bass), Niclas Engelin (guitar) and Mikael Stanne (vocals) — has released its second single, “Feel What I Believe”. The track, the official music video for which can be seen below, will appear on THE HALO EFFECT‘s first album, due later in the year via Nuclear Blast. Stanne comments: “‘Feel What I Believe’ is basically about how it felt growing up and discovering extreme metal in our late teens. Delving into something that was both frightening and alluring at the same time. And having that as the sole focus as you started playing in a band and in essence decided who you wanted to be. That con...
Rare Early Live Images Of NIRVANA Set To Be Sold As NFTs
It was just six days after NIRVANA released its groundbreaking “Nevermind” album when the bandmembers took the stage on October 1, 1991 at the intimate J.C. Dobbs venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photographer Faith West was in the crowd that night and captured the raw, electric energy. A few weeks after the show, the band exploded to international stardom. Now, over three decades later, 28 never-before-seen live NIRVANA images are set to be sold as NFTs via Pop Legendz on February 20, marking what would have been Kurt Cobain‘s 55th birthday. These one-of-a-kind NFTs are available on the Pop Legendz web site, a gateway site to the trusted Rarible platform where these NFTs are minted. Pop Legendz is selling these unforgettable moments directly to fans and collectors ali...
METALLICA And FOO FIGHTERS To Headline ‘Boston Calling’ 2022
Boston Calling, the acclaimed three-day festival poised to make its triumphant return to Allston, Massachusetts this Memorial Day Weekend, May 27 – 29, 2022, announces its full lineup today. Headlining the festival are rock and roll icons METALLICA; alternative rockers THE STROKES, playing their first show in Boston since 2006; and Rock And Roll Hall Of Famers FOO FIGHTERS. These three powerful rock bands will lead a lineup of over 50 performers, including the largest collection of regional talent ever to take the stage at Boston Calling. The 2022 bill features an incredibly diverse mix of globally recognized music stars, including RÜFÜS DU SOL, WEEZER, HAIM, RUN THE JEWELS, GLASS ANIMALS, KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD, AVRIL LAVIGNE, BLACK PUMAS, MODEST MOUSE, GOOSE, CHEAP TR...
Rockers React To Passing Of MEAT LOAF
Brian May (QUEEN), Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES), Dave Mustaine (MEGADETH), David Draiman (DISTURBED), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY), Todd La Torre (QUEENSRŸCHE) and SCORPIONS are among the rockers who have reacted to the passing of iconic rock singer Meat Loaf. He died on Thursday at the age of 74. According to TMZ, Meat Loaf was “seriously ill” with COVID-19 just days before his death. The singer was due to attend a business dinner earlier this week for a show he was working on based on his classic hit “I’d Do Anything For Love” but canceled after becoming sick. Meat Loaf had reportedly been outspoken about vaccine mandates. In May, he posted a clip of Eric Clapton and Van Morrison‘s anti-lockdown song “Stand & Deliver̶...
Sundance Review: In Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving the World, Everyone Loses
This review is part of our coverage of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The Pitch: What happens when tensions between an equally oblivious mother and son (Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard, respectively) finally boil over? In Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut, the answer is, unfortunately, sort of nothing. There’s something to be said for slice-of-life films like this one, adapted from Eisenberg’s 2020 audio drama of the same name and co-produced by Emma Stone and husband Dave McCary. The film raises plenty of interesting questions, particularly around the ideas of altruism, actual moral goodness in a world perpetually concerned with what looks good, and the tried and true theme of generational divide. The simmering story only runs 88 minutes (a dream!), but, throughout that runtime, When...
Testament Part Ways with Drummer Gene Hoglan in Advance of “Bay Strikes Back” Tour
Testament have announced that they’ve parted ways with drummer Gene Hoglan as they prepare to headline the “Bay Strikes Back” tour this spring. The veteran thrash band cited scheduling conflicts involving Hoglan’s other projects as the primary reason for the split. Hoglan, one of heavy metal’s most skilled and respected drummers, has earned the nickname “The Atomic Clock” for his precision playing. He briefly played in Testament from 1996 to 1997, appearing on 1997’s Demonic. He then rejoined the band in 2011 and had been Testament’s drummer for the past 10-plus years, performing on their last three albums, including 2020’s Titans of Creation. A statement from Testament reads as follows: “First off, we are beyond grateful to have had Gene Hoglan behind our drum throne for ten years, severa...
Independent Venues Report “No-Show Rates as High as 50%”
Appearing before the House Small Business Committee this week, representatives of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) said they were seeing “no-show rates as high as 50%.” Via Billboard, Raeanne Presley, NIVA member and co-owner of Presleys’ Theater in Branson, MO, explained that smaller venues are suffering during an unprecedented lack of consumer confidence. “Today, the roller coaster ride of the pandemic continues,” she said. “Traditionally, about 5% of ticket buyers don’t attend performances, but now, sagging consumer confidence is causing national no-show rates as high as 50%. This is devastating because most of our venues rely on in-house sales to pay core bills.” In other words, while ticket purchases are important, food, beverages, and other extras help keep the ...
Win a Sly and the Family Stone and Summer of Soul Vinyl Prize Pack with a Sony Sound System
The Opus podcast returns this month with a new season focusing on Sly and the Family Stones’ classic There’s a Riot Goin On. The series’ January 27th debut on the Consequence Podcast Network coincides with the release of the Summer of Soul documentary soundtrack the following day, so we’re celebrating both by giving you a chance to win a prize pack sure to elevate your soul. We’re including one (1) copy of both There’s a Riot Goin On and the Summer of Soul Official Soundtrack on vinyl, in addition to a brand new Sony sound system so you can really turn up the funk. Included are a PS-LX310BT Bluetooth turntable, a pair of CS5 bookshelf speakers, and the DH190 stereo receiver. There’s no better way to relive some of the biggest musical moments of a gen...
TRIVIUM’s MATT HEAFY Releases First Single From IBARAKI Project Feat. EMPEROR’s IHSAHN
TRIVIUM singer and guitarist Matt Heafy has released the first single from his long-awaited IBARAKI project (formerly MRITYU). The official music video for “Tamashii No Houkai”, featuring special guest Ihsahn of EMPEROR fame, can be seen below. “‘Tamashii No Houkai’ means ‘the breaking of the soul’ or ‘soul collapse,” explains Heafy. “It’s a Japanese term that didn’t exist before, but one we forged to reflect the song’s meaning.” Heafy, who is of Japanese heritage, continues: “‘Tamashii No Houkai’ is co-written by Ihsahn — the legend behind EMPEROR and a musician who has been a longtime influence and mentor to so much that I do in music. The writing of this song was the turning point for I...
DAVID BOWIE’s 75th Birthday Celebrated With ‘Sound & Vision’ Web-Exclusive Retrospective
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts,” wrote William Shakespeare. When he penned the now-classic line, he might as well have been prophesying a world forever redefined by the theatrical genius of David Bowie. The visionary’s catalog of conceptual personas encompasses the likes of Aladdin Sane, Major Tom, the Thin White Duke and, perhaps, most recognizable of all, Ziggy Stardust. Yet, the life lived by the mortal behind the mask provides an infinitely more enigmatic and compelling subject as Morrison Hotel Gallery brings the Starman’s 75th birth year to centerstage with “Sound & Vision”, a web-exclusive Bowie retrospective as seen t...
