by BBG

Some encouraging news. Chi Cheng of Deftones, who was badly injured and went into a coma after a car crash, is recovering slowly but surely. Check out a new video of Chi Cheng in the hospital, which was posted along with an ongoing campaign to raise money for his family and medical care, below. Best of luck to him.

The band has soldiered on without him, with Deftones vocalist Chino also taking on a new project Crosses in addition to the band. The new Crosses 7" is available via IndieMerch.

Continue reading "Chi Cheng of Deftones shows signs of improvement in coma (video posted)"

by Black Bubblegum

The Bronx

The Bronx have announced a pair of NYC area shows including The Bowery Ballroom on 4/20 with Trash Talk and Maxwell's on 4/22. Tickets for Maxwell's go on sale on 2/11 at noon while Bowery goes on sale 2/13 at noon.

The Bronx are currently touring around Europe, ultimately linking up with Fucked Up and Rolo Tomassi for a brief tour of the UK and then their US tour. One of those US dates, April 5th, is part of the Bamboozle Left Festival in Irvine, CA... an otherwise lackluster festival of mallcore, deathcore, and psuedo-emo feturing headling sets by a reuniting Get Up Kids, (gulp) Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, and (lord help us) 50 Cent. Full lineup below.

Why even mention Bamboozle Left? Well, besides The Bronx, Kevin Seconds (who has some NYC shows, and a few others... Deftones will make their return to the stage at this show, but with a new bassist...

Continue reading "The Bronx announce tour dates, Deftones' have new bassist"

by Black Bubblegum

Mastodon's Bill Kelliher

If you're in Europe and are wondering why Mastodon is looking a little light lately...

Bill Kelliher, guitarist with MASTODON, has been hospitalized in London as of Nov.3, during the band's current European Unholy Alliance Chapter 3 package tour. Doctors will continue to monitor his condition which is improving at press time.

At the moment, Mastodon has decided to continue on the tour as a trio. Doctors and Bill are hopeful that he will rejoin his bandmates in time for their headlining tour of Europe which begins Nov 30, in Utrecht, Holland and will end on Dec 7, at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in Somerset, England. More details to follow as they develop.

Get well soon Bill... whatever the problem is. Affected tour dates and a video of Mastodon the TRIO are available below. That ATP festival in Somerset that they referenced above is the one curated by Mike Patton and the Melvins.

Mastodon recently announced the release of their new album Crack The Skye, due in early 2009 and produced by Brendan O'Brien.

In related metal-band-members-in-the-hospital news, Chi Cheng of the Deftones is showing signs of improvement after his car accident:

"Chi is showing definite signs of improvement. His father expects when he fully awakes, they'll have to sedate him (again) so he doesn't start pulling out the tubes and wires from his body."

- Chino [Moreno, vocals for Deftones]

Chi's mother Jeanne also made a statement

"Again you all are so very much appreciated. God has his hand on our son, please continue to lift him in prayer. For today please forgive someone who has wronged you or wronged yours. Not forgiving is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. Please continue to stay buckled, show love and spread kindness throughout the day to those around you".

-Jeanne

ex-Deftones collaborator Jonah Matranga is known for covering Deftones songs in his solo sets. You can catch him tonight (11/11) at the Gershwin Hotel in NYC. Mastodon dates and video below...

Continue reading "Mastodon temporarily a trio, Deftones' Chi Cheng improving"

by Black Bubblegum

Chi Cheng, Bassist for Deftones

Hello everyone,

It deeply saddens me to inform you all that our brother Chi Cheng was involved in a terrible car accident last night. He is currently in a Northern California Hospital in serious, but stable condition. I am on my way up North right now to be by his side along with the rest of our band mates and family. Chi is one of the strongest people I know, and I'm praying that his strength will get him through this. Please say a prayer for him as well.

-chino [moreno, of the Deftones]

Other news sources are saying he's in a coma. Our prayers are with him.

Deftones were working on their follow-up to 2006's Saturday Night Wrist, while blogging away about it.