photos by Dana (distortion) Yavin

Das Racist / Battles... get a leg up

While Bonnaroo's roots come from the jamband scene, the festival's outlook has grown each year. The Red Hot Chili Peppers set provided a nod from the festival's past without losing the band's foothold in the present day. In various combinations, members Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer along with touring percussionist Mauro Refosco improvised their way before returning to the next number on the setlist... Earlier in the day, HR of Bad Brains looked and acted nowhere near the part of a hardcore hero. His bandmates kept the music's mix of powerful, fast numbers with an occasional reggae cooldown. The latter style was necessary after a dust cloud erupted from the crowd moshing and bodysurfing. A pleased Flea of the Chili Peppers watched from the side of the stage. -[Jambands]

Bonnaroo 2012's third day (on June 9th) featured a trio of  headline performances including Alice Cooper, Spectrum Road (which featured John Medeski, Jack Bruce, Vernon Reid and Cindy Blackman Santana), and a "Superjam" put on by Questlove of The Roots that featured  Mr. Brown Sugar himself, D'Angelo, in his first US appearance in over ten years. The "Superjam" also featured appearances from members of The Time and Parliament-Funkadelic, who covered somgs by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Hendrix and more across the 90 minute set. Setlist and video from that set is below.

More photos from Day 3, including Bad Brains, Das Racist, Battles, Santigold (who plays a free show in Chicago Thursday), Gary Clarke Jr., Mogwai (who performs in NYC twice this week), Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice Cooper, Skrillex, Danzig Legacy (who went on an anti-photo tirade), GZA with Grupo Fantasma (who perform together in Brooklyn twice this week) and more are below. If you missed it, check out photos from Bonnaroo's first day HERE and second day HERE.

Continue reading "Bonnaroo Day 3 in pics (Battles, Das Racist, Danzig, GZA, Mogwai, Alice Cooper, Bad Brains, Skrillex and more)"

by BBG

Danzig at Bonnaroo 2012 (photo by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

I'm guessing that I am shocking no one (considering the fiasco at Fun Fun Fun last year) that (as MetalSucks points out) Danzig went after a photographer who shot pictures of him at Bonnaroo this weekend. Three videos of Danzig stopping the show to confront the photographer is below.

Stay tuned for more pictures from Danzig's set, as well as more sets from Bonnaroo (first day HERE). Should I go hide now?

Continue reading "Danzig goes after photographer at Bonnaroo (videos)"

by Andrew Sacher

EMA @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (pic by degi14)

"Okay, who wants this song dedicated to them?" asked Erika M. Anderson (aka EMA) at her MHOW show this past Friday (3/16) before going into the dark, intimate "Marked." When she got to the song's refrain ("I wish that every time he touched me left a mark"), you couldn't help but wonder if any audience members were secretly taking back their cheers of "ME!" from about a minute earlier. But that mood shift is exactly the kind of vibe that was in place throughout EMA's entire show. She would constantly switch back and forth between playful stage banter and dance moves to the no-bullshit rawness and sincerity of her songs and lyrics.

But before EMA took control of the venue, the crowd was greeted by an opening act, her tourmates, Vancouver's Nu Sensae. I'd never heard the Vancouver trio before Friday night, but was pretty impressed by their punky noise rock, all of which was delivered in 2-3 minute blasts. Vocalist Andrea Lukic rotated between breathy Kim Gordon-esque vocals and a piercing scream, while Daniel Pitout beat the hell out of his drums and guitarist Brody McKnight built a shoegazey wall of sound.

Up next were Brooklyn's Talk Normal, who I last saw when they opened for Sonic Youth at Prospect Park in 2010. It goes without saying that MHOW is a better venue for them and that they've only gotten better/have played tons of shows in the last two years, but regardless, I was far more impressed by them on Friday than I had ever been before. Like Nu Sensae and EMA, they're well versed in noise rock, but with a much heavier emphasis on no wave. Their stage setup was lit only by two red light bulbs, which made for a great gloomy setting to their spacious sound. And though no wave is the band's obvious reference point, it's tough to simply leave it at that, as their vocal interplay and dynamic shifts stretched beyond the confines of the genre.

After Talk Normal had exited the stage and it was set up for EMA, all of the band members except Erika stood before MHOW's crowd, lit only by dim, hanging lanterns that the band had brought with them. Electric violinist Leif Shackelford then began the eerie violin drone of "Stand and Encounter," the last song released by Erika's former band, Gowns, directly before their break up. Eventually Erika walked on stage to huge applause from the crowd, and taking solely to the mic, began delivering the song's stream-of-consciousness lyrics. This was followed by the EMA b-side, "Angelo," an upbeat cut for which she sounded more than a little like Karen O.

Erika picked her guitar up after the first two songs for the first Past Life Martyred Saints (which she played all of) track of the night, "Anteroom." Past Life Martyred Saints had always struck me as somewhat of a folk album, if not a noisy, perhaps more anti-folk version of one, but in the live setting I lost all notions of that and saw the band harnessing the spirit of crunchy '90s alt rock. When they played "Butterfly Knife," which barely has drums on the album version, I actually saw audience members headbanging to the revved up version of the song. And even more so than they were when the band played their cover of Danzig's "Soul on Fire" during the encore.

The highlight of the night came during the 7+ minute "Grey Ship," for which the venue's disco ball was turned on, making the song's slow first half feel like the song a '90s high school prom movie band plays after most people have left. At the song's halfway point, the band got increasingly heavier and more locked in, bringing in sludgy guitar, electric violin riffs, elaborate drumming, and eventually the band's synced up drum/guitar punches that were met with tons of applause from the crowd. EMA came close to reaching that same level of intensity during the last song of their pre-encore set, "California." She moved around on stage with as much of a don't-give-a-fuck attitude as she's got in the lyrics, punching out one of those lanterns with her mic and ending the song in the same frozen pose she makes on her album cover.

During the encore, Erika brought out Daniel from Nu Sensae to play seemingly impromptu cover songs. She said, "This is for YOU, not the blogs, don't tell anyone about this!" so in respects to that, I'll stop here. But maybe the songs they covered are listed as part of the setlist below...

More pictures, video and setlist from the show below...

Continue reading "EMA played Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Talk Normal & Nu Sensae (review, setlist & video)"

Danzig (member) at FFF Fest 2011 (more)

Bonnaroo has made some additions to their lineup which already included Radiohead, The Beach Boys, Bad Brains, St. VIncent, tUnE-yArDs, and many others. The new additions include Danzig Legacy (aka Danzig and Doyle playing Danzig, Samhain and Misfits), Puscifer, Santigold, The Cave Singers, fun. and The Temper Trap. Tickets for the festival are still available.

Hopefully Danzig will have a better experience at Bonnaroo than he did at Fun Fun Fun Fest last year.

Updated lineup below...

Continue reading "Bonnaroo adds 'Danzig Legacy' and other bands"

photos by Tim Griffin

Tedzig @ Fun Fun Fun Fest

Speaking of Ted Leo, who just announced some shows.....

After some wondering and hinting, it actually happened... Glenn Danzig, who didn't have enough time to play his full Misfits set Friday night, showed up during Ted Leo's set at Fun Fun Fun Fest on Sunday! (sort of)

First Ted & the Pharmacists played their regular set, but it ended 10 minutes early and abruptly because Ted said he was cold (like Danzig was on Friday night). Ted quickly reappeared on stage though, but in a black wig complete with devil's lock, and full band including Andy Nelson (who was in town with both Ceremony and Paint it Black) on bass. Misfits (aka Misfits tribute band TV Casualty, 3/5th of them anyway) were in effect!

The tribute band played four Misfits tunes: "Where Eagles Dare," "Bullet," "Angelfuck", and "Skulls" which Tedzig preceded by saying he reads Facebook a lot and he knew some people at the fest really wanted to hear it. Check out the video of that one below.

TV Casualty, who have played live shows before, now also have a release (what perfect timing for all that to go down at the Austin Fest...)...

On October 31st, Matador [released] a charity 7" from Philadelphia's TV Casualty.

This is the first recorded document to be released by a collective made up of Brian Sokel (Franklin, AM/FM), Andy Nelson (Ceremony, Paint It Black), Atom Goren (Atom and His Package) & Chris Wilson (Ted Leo & the Pharmacists). Over the past few years the group has played out in and around Philly for different charitable events, assembling as The Ramones (with Rodney Anonymous), Black Flag (with Dan Yemin) and Minor Threat (with Mike McKee). Here, Ted Leo joins the band as Glen Danzig, in what else but their take on The Misfits (watch some past performances here)!

As part of Matador's famed ELO- catalogue series (confused? consult the discography), this blood-red 7" features covers of Children In Heat, Angelfuck, Teenagers From Mars, We Bite, Who Killed Marilyn, Some Kinda Hate. All proceeds collected on sales of this release will be donated on behalf of TV Casualty & Matador to The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia's only LGBTQ Youth Center.

Order your copy via Matador. Check out Ted's tour dates HERE. See more pictures and a video of the Misfits tribute, below...

Continue reading "Ted Leo turned into Glenn Danzig @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (and on a new 7") --- pics & video"

Samhain @ Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin

Danzig, complete with Danzig, Samhain and Misfits sets, was supposed to play at 8:15pm at Fun Fun Fun Fest last night (11/4). He didn't finally get on stage until 9:00 which was especially noticeable at the Austin festival which otherwise runs completely on time. You could tell it wasn't the fest's fault too. During the entire 45 minute delay, Danzig's stagehands were constantly doing random stuff, most notably putting up blue tarps on either side of the stage - a clearly unplanned action that was apparently supposed to make the stage warmer. Around 8:45 a guy came out and started crossing songs off the setlist.

People were booing loudly by the time Danzig finally took the stage.

All seemed to be forgiven though as the intro played and then Danzig belted out his first notes to the chilly and somewhat impatient crowd who were now cheering loudly. Glenn never said sorry for his tardiness though. He was also clearly struggling with his voice thoughout the set and did not seem comfortable on stage. He kept chewing things too (I figured for his throat). He ran off stage during the show twice - once to attack someone I think, and another time to "check the monitor".

After about 30 minutes of Danzig songs, they left the stage and came back with a new lineup to do Samhain which to me was the highlight of what we got. Danzig started the Samhain set masked (see above). Like in NYC, there were different backdrops for each set, but they were having some trouble getting them up and down - which only added to the disaster that was unfolding.

Around 9:50 it was Misfits time. The place went especially nuts as the massive presence that is Doyle entered the stage and they broke into it.

I was wondering what the curfew was, but optimistically thought maybe they were allowed to go later at this new venue (Auditorium Shores). Wrong. At 9:55 Danzig announces that they're shutting him down in 5 minutes. They had only played 1 Misfits song. He said "don't blame me" and asked the crowd if the organizers ever heard of "a thing called a riot" and urged the organizers to come on stage and tell the crowd themselves.

The crowd was obviously not happy, and Danzig was egging everyone on. By 10:00 we had only heard 2 Misfits songs and the set was over. All power was turned off on the stage. Did Danzig at this point apologize for coming on 45 minutes late? No, of course not. Instead he and the band stayed on stage for about 15 minutes longer riling the crowd up and acting like victims themselves.

No chanting or threat of riot could get the power back on though and eventually Danzig and band left the stage for good. The crowd hung around though, for a little longer, chanting and throwing bottles on the stage until cops came in and urged eveyrone to go home. Despite screams of "pig" and a few bottles even hitting cops, the cops stayed calm and so did the crowd for the most part. Everyone eventually left.

The fest has since faced criticism for "shutting down Danzig" by some fans, and so FFFFest booker Graham Williams took to Facebook to tell his version of the story (as one commenter wrote, "I thought Big Freedia was the only Queen Diva supposed to be playing this festival!"). Read Graham's story along with some videos of it all, below...

Continue reading "Danzig drama @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (pics, video & a statement from the booker included)"

DOWNLOAD: Superchunk - Where Eagles Dare (Misfits) (MP3)

Superchunk have recorded and released their cover of Misfits song "Where Eagles Dare" exclusively for Halloween 2011 as a free download! Grab it above.

(Danzig unfortunately did not play the song at Hammerstein Ballroom Saturday night).

Danzig set (photo by kwohlrob)

Samhain set (photo by endlebrookholden)

Misfits set (photo by kwohlrob)

Danzig played 29 songs at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC on Saturday night (10/29). Advertised as the "Danzig Legacy tour", the show was split into three sets and two encores. He worked backwards. First set was Danzig songs, then Samhain and finally Misfits with Doyle in the band. Each set also had their own backdrop (see above).

Danzig does it again with Doyle (tonight) on Halloween in LA while Jerry and Dez's version of the Misfits are at BB King's in NYC, and then Danzig Legacy also plays Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin. The full NYC setlist and and hour long video from the 10/7 Chicago Riot Fest show, below...

Continue reading "Danzig celebrated his legacy @ Hammerstein Ballroom (and in Chicago) -- setlist & video"

With one photo, photographer Chris La Putt single-handedly unravels the entire Christian faith (more from 2010 Halloween Parade)

Ahh.. Halloween in the city. An excuse to dress completely odd and get blackout drunk, so people can only remember "that Kenny Powers guy" puked himself. A massive parade... Oh did I mention the fun covers shows that go on?

Death By Audio will host an all ages covers show tonight (10/28) featuring Roky Erickson, The B-52s, Smashing Punpkins, Karp, X-Ray Spex, and The Raincoats as performed by Passive Agressor, Little Victory, Sleepies, Necking and others. $7 gets you in, or save $2 if you wear a costume!

The Acheron will host a night of Motorhead, Misfits, Blitz, White Zombie, and the "K-Rock All-Stars" at the venue on 10/30, featuring members of Tournament, Trenchgrinder, Grudges, and many more.

Speaking of the Misfits, the (sort of) actual band is playing on Halloween in NYC too, at BB King's (tickets). Now that is fucking scary. I'd much prefer to see Danzig Legacy at Hammerstein just two days earlier (10/29, tickets). Misfits are also playing Starland Ballroom TONIGHT (tickets).

If you don't want see either Misfits cover band, you have a THIRD Misfits alternative in The Omelettes of Disease at The Gutter who will join Bad Girlfriend (as The Cramps) and Tiberius (as Spaceman 3) on 10/29. $5 gets you in.

The previously discussed Black Lips/Davila666 show at Webster Hall tomorrow (10/29) is Halloween themed, and so is the "Psychedelic Robot Halloween Party" that same night at El Dorado (976 Grand St. Brooklyn) which will feature Jared Swilley (Black Lips) and AJ (Davila 666) behind the DJ booth. They'll be joined by perfromances from Sundelles, Snack Machine, Puppies, Mick's Jaguar (Rolling Stones covers), Bad Credit No Credit (X-Ray Spex Covers) and other DJ sets from O.J. San Felipe (Xray Eyeballs), Lady Bree, Yvo, Dan Meth, and Ben Ritter. As Bill mentioned, the $10 show also boasts "SUPER RAD SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO NAME BUT ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT". Word. $10 bones gets you in, and details are at the Facebook page.

Though it isn't a Haloween event technically, it is frightening just the same. Vital Remains, Strong Intention, Prostitution, and Gang Signs will hit Saint Vitus. Tickets are on sale.

Glasslands will host a night of covers on Halloween as well, featuring locals performing Pentagram, B52's, Runaways, Suicide, Slade, Dead Kennedys, Creedence Clearwater Revival and others, followed by a DJ party with Johnathan Toubin. $1 gets you in.

Rocks Off is hosting a pre-Ween Halloween Cruise with Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers) on the turntables. Tickets are on sale.

FIXED is having a Halloween bash at Public Assembly on Monday.

And last but certainly not least, expect some dressing up at three Black Angels shows at Music Hall of Williamsburg this weekend including the 10/31 one with Psychic Ills and Exit Music. Don't forget to dress up! Tickets are still available for that show, as well as the 10/29 and 10/30 shows.

What else?

Flyers below...

Continue reading "it's Halloween weekend in NYC -- Misfits cover bands & other party options"

Misfits

Danzig has scheduled a "Legacy" show in NYC at Hammerstein Ballroom. "Legacy" = Danzig material, Samhain material, and Danzig performing Misfits with fellow original Misfit Doyle von Frankenstein Tickets for "Danzig - The Legacy Tour" at Hammerstein Ballroom on Oct 29th are on sale now. Tickets also just went on sale for for an October 23rd Gwar show. It's going to be a Happy Halloween (I just wish Pete Steele would come back from the grave and schedule a Type O show that week too).

The Danzig show is one of four 'Legacy' dates scheduled. He'll also hit Riotfest in Chicago, spend the actual Halloween at Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal City Walk in Universal City, CA and appear at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin (again).

Check out some video from across Danzig's storied career below.

Continue reading "Danzig Legacy show coming to NYC & CA"

Slayer at Izod Center (photos by Samantha Marble)

Slayer, Thee Oh Sees, Public Enemy, Girls, Danzig Legacy, (Danzig + Doyle von Frankenstein playing Misfits, Samhain & Danzig), Hot Snakes, Diplo, Major Lazer, Henry Rollins, Ted Leo & The Phramacists, Spank Rock, Murder City Devils, Hum, Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Four Tet, Rakim, The Damned, Austra, Purity Ring, and Flynt Flossy are just a few of the acts announced today as part of the Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup. Another amazing year! Check out the full lineup below and stay tuned for more announcements coming in August and September.

The new additions to the Austin, Texas festival, which takes place from 11/4 - 11/6, are in addition to the the previous "lineup leaks" that included Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Okkervil River, M83, X (performing "Los Angeles"), Reggie Watts, Flying Lotus, Tune-Yards, Ra Ra Riot, Kid Dynamite and others

2011 is the festival's sixth year, but first at its new home Auditorium Shores (no more Waterloo Park). Tickets are on sale now.

Slayer also has a NYC performance coming up with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth as part of the "Big Four" show at Yankee Stadium on 9/14. Tickets are still available.

Fun Fun Fun 2011 flyer and almost-full lineup is below.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup (Danzig Legazy, Passion Pit, Slayer, Lykke Li, The Damned, Henry Rollins & much more)"

We previously discussed Phily's Riot Fest East that will feature an appearance from the mighty Descendents and The Suicide Machines who they also play with in NYC. Riot Fest East, an offshoot of the Chicago festival, happens on September 24th.

The Chicago version of the festival, October 5-9, previously announced that Weezer, Social Distortion, Descendents, 7 Seconds, ALL (two different eras!), Helmet, and X (playing Los Angeles) were all on the lineup, but left one big announcement for today...

On Friday October 7, 2011 Danzig will headline Riot Fest and perform a career spanning show featuring sets of Danzig, Samhain and Misfits songs with none other than Doyle joining on guitar the Misfits set. We've waited years for this and we can't wait to see the inside of the Congress Theater turn into a churning sea of humanity.

Tickets for both Riot Fest Chicago and Riot Fest East are now on sale, and more band announcements are stil to come(!).

Tickets are now also on sale for the Descendents show at Roseland Ballroom that Suicide Machines and H20 are opening.

X are performing Los Angeles at both Riot Fests AND on two nights at Irving Plaza in NYC. Tickets are on sale for those shows too.

Riot Fest show flyers and some videos is below.

Continue reading "Riot Fest Chicago completes lineup with "Danzig Legacy"! Descendents East Coast shows on sale too"

Kaki King (more by Amanda Hatfield)

today in NYC
* Kaki King @ City Winery
* John Zorn @ The Stone
* Tom Shillue @ PS122
* Erik Friedlander @ Barbes
* Willy Porter @ Joe's Pub
* Nomadic Massive @ 92YTribeca
* Mike Birbiglia @ Barrow St Theatre
* Marta Topferova & Trova @ Barbes
* The Drums, iO Echo @ Mercury Lounge
* Toad the Wet Sprocket @ Irving Plaza
* Apollo Run, This Blue Heaven @ Union Hall
* Generifus, Soft Black, MANNERS @ Silent Barn
* Peter Evans Quartet and Quintet @ Littlefield
* MEN, Romy, No Bra @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
* Esther Venrooy, Pygmy Jerboa @ Issue Project Room
* Morning Teleportation, Nicos Gun @ Mercury Lounge
* Glass Ghost, Friend Roulette, Travis Laplante @ Union Pool
* Asobi Seksu, Consortium Musicum, Zaza @ Bowery Ballroom
* Bare Wires, Heavy Cream, The Psyched @ Public Assembly
* Rebirth Brass Band, Outer Borough Brass Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
* The Secret History, Morton Valence, Overlord @ The Rock Shop
* Porcelain Raft, Oupa, Young Magic, Computer Magic @ Glasslands
* Videogum's 3rd Birthday Comedy Show Celebration @ the Bell House
* Mother Feather, Translations, Chappo, Living Days @ Cameo Gallery
* Walk the Moon, Savoir Adore, ANR, Lightwaves (DJ set) @ Tammany Hall
* Joe Jack Talcum, Samuel Locke Ward, Xaddax, Toby Goodshank @ Cake Shop
* Madensuyu, Zoos of Berlin, The Silent League, Pacific Theater, Machu Picchu @ Pianos
* New York 69 (mems of Talibam!), Nick Millevoi, Colin Fisher, Suite Unraveling @ Death By Audio
* Henryk Gorecki, Sinfonietta Cracovia, Deaf Center (Unsound Festival) @ Judson Memorial Church
* Atom TM, Morton Subotnick (Unsound Festival with visuals by Lillevan) @ Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium

Wye Oak cover Danzig (!)... in the video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Thursday?"

Danzig will hit the road with Devildriver and 2Cents, tagging Starland Ballroom on May 14th as part of his Deth Red Sabaoth tour which has a presale going on now. Tickets are also on "Internet Presale" now for the NJ show, and go on general sale Friday. All dates listed below, though no NYC date again...

Continue reading "Danzig announces Spring tour (presale now)"

by BBG

Toxic Holocaust at Gramercy (more by Justina Villanueva)

"DANZIG frontman and namesake has commented on the cancelation of the band's November 9, 2010 concert at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, Minnesota as part of the "Blackest Of The Black" tour. The show was reportedly called off an hour before the 6 p.m. showtime, with the rest of the bands on the bill -- POSSESSED, MARDUK, TOXIC HOLOCAUST and WITHERED -- going ahead and performing their scheduled sets.

Although there had been no official statement from the DANZIG camp regarding the cancelation, someone from the Cabooze told Secrets Of The City that the show was called off due to the fact that Glenn Danzig thought the stage at the venue was "too small."

When asked about the reasons for the Minneapolis cancelation during yesterday's (Wednesday, November 10) interview on Fargo, North Dakota's KQWB-FM (Q98 Rocks) station, Danzig replied, "Basically, we couldn't do our show there, but we had the other bands play . . . We tried to make it work, but at the end of the day it was a production call."" [Blabbermouth]

Toxic Holocaust, now finished with their tour with Danzig, will be in the Northeast next week, playing Philly and Boston next Friday and Saturday respectively. Unfortunately, the thrashy faves will bypass NYC, but the band will return to play Acheron on 1/12 with Atakke . More details, including opening bands on the BrooklynVegan/1000Knives-presented Brooklyn event are forthcoming, but for now save the date.

Full Toxic Holocaust tour sked, and some videos below...

Continue reading "Toxic Holocaust add NYC show (and other dates), played Minneapolis (even though Danzig didn't)"

photos by Kurt Christensen

My Morning Jacket's Terminal 5 run continued with a complete performance of 2001's At Dawn last night. The band ran through the entire album in sequential order, including the rarely--if ever--played "If it Smashes Down." Many of My Morning Jacket's early songs faded out of rotation after the group's December 2006 shows at San Francisco's Fillmore so "Death Is My Sleezy Pay" (last played 2005), "Hopefully"(last played during a full band performance), X-Mas Curtain (last played 2006), "Just Because I Do" (last played 2004) and "Strangulation!" (last played 2005) were also bustouts.

Like Monday night's performance, the members of My Morning Jacket returned for an extended encore that featured covers and B-sides the band played during the At Dawn era. The band's covers ranged from the moody Danzig song "How The Gods Kill" to an extended jam during Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath." [jambands.com]

Danzig! Video of that (complete with funny fan commentary), along with the full setlist and more pictures from last night (tonight is their night off - except for Carl), below...

Continue reading "My Morning Jacket played At Dawn, covered Danzig @ Terminal 5 w/ Hacienda (pics, video & setlist)"

Chris Weingarten: Do you remember hearing Black Sabbath for the first time?

Glenn Danzig: Yes. I didn't even hear them before I bought the record. I was flipping through new releases at Sam Goody's and all of a sudden I see this record with a girl in the satanic robe and this dead electric forest and this BLACK SABBATH at the top and I just pulled it out and I said, "This has to be good!" It just had to. No one knew who the fuck they were at the time; it had just come out here in the States and -- as you'd say now, "buzz" -- but there was no "buzz" or talk or anything about them at all, and I brought it home, took a chance, and it was just insane. I played it over and over and called up some friends and was like, "You gotta hear this fucking record." Within like, I think, a month, everyone in my town was listening to it.

Chris Weingarten: Wow, how old were you?

Glenn Danzig: I don't know; I was young. I think this was the first band I went and saw. I was a little kid. I remember that me and my friend were at this show and we were the littlest kids there. It was oversold and the crowd was rocking back and forth so we just started punching and kicking people -- that's the kind of kids we were [laughs].

That town Danzig refers to is of course Lodi, New Jersey which is 4-5 miles (according to Google Maps) from East Rutherford, NJ where the Izod Center is located. The Izod Center, originally called Brendan Byrne Arena and then Continental Airlines Arena, wasn't even built when "Black Sabbath" came out in 1970. It opened 11 years later (1981).

Ozzy Osbourne will play some Black Sabbath songs (I assume) at the Izod Center on December 3rd, 2010, and he'll headline Madison Square Garden in NYC two days earlier (December 1st). Both shows are part of a tour, that is not Ozzfest:

OZZY OSBOURNE will return to North America for a month-long arena tour launching November 12 in Victoria, B.C. and concluding December 12 in Minneapolis. These shows--in support of his album SCREAM (Epic Records) and latest single "Life Won't Wait"--are part the of the Rock Legend's in-progress 18-month world tour on which he's earning some of the best live reviews of his career (including raves for new guitarist, Gus G). HALFORD, featuring legendary Judas Priest front man, Rob Halford, will perform on all dates. The first leg of arena dates will mark OZZY's first headlining North American tour since 2007's trek for his Black Rain album. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced tour go on sale beginning Friday, September 17.

And by "tickets", they mean general admission (regular old tickets), and "The "Ozzy Osbourne Meet & Greet Package" ("Meet & Greet and personal photograph with OZZY"), and even an "Ozzy Osbourne Possessed Party Package" ("VIP access to the exclusive pre-concert party hosted by MC Big Dave"). MC Big Dave?

Danzig meanwhile has also announced a tour, and this time it's not just him headlining shows that are being opened by his current and ex-bandmates' other projects. Instead it will be a new edition of his Ozzfest-like package tour called 'Blackest of the Black':

Glenn Danzig announced the highly anticipated return of his BLACKEST OF THE BLACK tour. In its latest reincarnation since 2008, the tour's lineup will feature Danzig, legendary Bay Area hell-thrashers Possessed and Swedish black metal pioneers Marduk, who are making a rare & long awaited U.S. touring appearance. Toxic Holocaust and Withered will be rounding out the five band bill. The 19-city tour kicks off on October 25th in Albuquerque, NM.

In addition to Glenn, Danzig's band for Blackest of the Black will consist of Tommy Victor (Prong, Ministry) on guitar, Steve Zing (Samhain) on bass and Bevan Davies (Danzig) on drums. Danzig is scheduled to perform at the free Red Bull Metallicross event at Pala Casino in Pala, CA on Oct. 23, on the eve of the Blackest of the Black kickoff.

"I'm excited about taking out both Possessed & Marduk as fans will get a chance to see these two bands who rarely tour the US," said Glenn. It should also be noted that Danzig hasn't played most of these markets in the past two years.

To quote BBG when he heard the lineup of openers, "that is a fucking amazing tour."

Unfortunately though, Danzig has played the NYC market more than once in the past year alone, so he will not return this time around, though there is a Buffalo show. Note also that Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative (Pete Steele RIP) is not playing drums on this tour (Bevan Davies is), and that tickets are on pre-sale NOW.

All dates for both tours below...

Continue reading "Danzig & Ozzy announce (separate) tours - (Ozzy playing MSG) "

Danzig @ Sweden Rock Festival, June 10, 2010 (mor10am)

Glenn Danzig... recently announced a special nine-city concert trek that kicked off yesterday in Norfolk, VA.

Fans can also meet Glenn Danzig at three in-store autograph signings to be held around the tour, included Saturday June 19 at Vintage Vinyl in NJ, Monday, June 21 at Newbury Comics in Boston, MA, and Thursday, June 24 at Record Exchange in Boise, Idaho. See the tour itinerary below for more information.

Danzig plans to dig deep into his career-defining catalogue and perform tracks from Danzig, Lucifuge, How the Gods Kill, and on up to the present, including several new songs from Deth Red Sabaoth. "Danzig fans have their own favorites from throughout the years," said Glenn, "and I hope the set list we put together will satisfy everyone."

Grab a new song from Deth Red Sabaoth, where Danzig returns to his roots, for free from Amazon.

Danzig's tour continues tonight (6/16) at the Fillmore in Charlotte, NC. He hits the Nokia Theatre in NYC on Friday, signs at Vintage Vinyl Saturday afternoon and then plays the Troc in Philly Saturday night. Nokia Theatre tickets are still on sale.

Danzig recently got back from Europe where his setlists included "Thirteen". He performed the song, that he wrote for Johnny Cash and which randomly appears on The Hangover soundtrack, for the first time on June 10th in Sweden. Video of that performance and all dates (including the signings), below...

Continue reading "Danzig on tour, schedules in-stores, giving away new MP3 "

VICE: I guess you then got tired of not touring...

DANZIG: I love playing live, so I started out again with a couple local shows. Then we put together a West Coast run and I flew home after every two or three shows. And then we tried this thing where we flew out to the East Coast, did four shows, I flew home, and then we started a West Coast run that went out to Denver for two and a half weeks, and every two or three days I flew home. It worked out OK, so in 2008 we did a Blackest run where I flew home every few days. That didn't bug me, so we'll try a full tour this time. I'm going to try the flying-home thing and see how it works.

Danzig has announced that "support for the east coast dates will be Gorgeous Frankenstein, the band of original Misfits member Doyle, and Seventh Void, the band that includes of Danzig/Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly and Type O guitarist Kenny Hickey." Aka, support for the NYC show will be exactly what it was for the NJ show in December which is kind of a boring thing to happen, but oh well. At least it means Doyle will be in the house which means maybe Misfits songs once again (they did a short encore of a couple at Starland). Tickets for all dates on the tour are still on Internet Presale (password = revengeful), and the NYC show is now on AmEx presale too.

In the above-excerpted interview with Vice, among other things, Glenn confirms he still likes books...

Continue reading "Danzig talked to Vice, announced openers & another presale"

"Deth Red Sabaoth", produced by Glenn and recorded in Los Angeles over the course of 2009, will be released on June 22 via Evilive/The End Records.

The 11-track collection, penned by Danzig, is laced with Glenn's lycanthropic growls and blues-infected wailing. Tracks including "Black Candy", "The Revengeful" and "On A Wicked Night" emit a spectral glow to rival the highest points in Danzig's colossal discography. Part I of the exquisite two-part "Pyre of Souls" opens with acoustic guitar, haunting piano, Glenn's plainsong vocal, and an almost dirge-like feel; Part II explodes with electric guitars and a driving, mesmerizing cadence.

"I think that fans will really dig this new album," said Glenn. "I've been told several times that the album has a cool vitality to it, that it sounds energized, and I got that feeling when I was recording it. I wanted to have an organic sound, bigger and thicker, so I went out and bought some 1970's Kustom tuck 'n roll bass amps to play some of the guitar parts through. You'll hear real reverb, real tremolo on this album, which sounds completely different than the stuff that's done with computer chips."

Joining Glenn in the studio for the recording of "Deth Red Sabaoth" were guitarist Tommy Victor (PRONG, MINISTRY), a Danzig cohort on and off since 1996, and drummer Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SEVENTH VOID). While Kelly has toured with Glenn intermittently since 2002, this is the first time he has recorded with the band. Glenn handled the bass chores for most the album, and played drums on "Black Candy". [Blabbermouth]

Though he apparently plans to tour even more later, Danzig has announced a nine-date June tour to support the new album. Kicking of in Virginia on June 15th, he hits Nokia Theatre in NYC on June 18th (and the Troc in Philly the next day). A ticket presale (password = Revengeful) begins today/Saturday at 10am for all nine dates, which are listed below...

Continue reading "Danzig - 2010 tour dates (presale), new album info & cover"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Altar of Plagues - "Atlantic Lights" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Breath - "Children Of The Horn" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Celeste - Morte Nee(s) (Zipped LP)
DOWNLOAD: Get Rad - "Life Without A Plan" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Get Rad - "Honest Man/Wild Man" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Inter Arma - "Epicenter" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ufomammut - Eve Snippets (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Nachtmystium - "No Funeral" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yakuza - "Stones And Bones" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sayyadina - "Razor Discipline" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Culted - "Spirituosa" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Year of No Light - "Hierophant" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Castevet - "Grey Matter" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Deathwish MMX Spring Sampler (Zipped MP3 files)

Twilight

Surprise! After a few CDs made their way into record stores accidentally (I am told) Twilight, the Blake Judd/Wrest project that now features N. Imperial (Kreig), Aaron Turner (Isis), Stavros Giannopoulos (The Atlas Moth) and Sanford Parker (Minsk) is out NOW on CD via Southern Lord! The record was engineered by Sanford Parker, who also contributed synths, and features eight tracks with Robert Lowe (Lichens) contributing vocals to three of them. No official word on a release date for the LP, but get out and order a copy... I think I may enjoy it more than the new Nachtmystium. Speaking of the new Nachtmystium, Stereogum recently premiered the keyboard heavy "No Funeral" from the forthcoming Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II. Dig on that above.

Call me obsessed, but the new Black Breath, Heavy Breathing, is on serious rotation lately- much like their previous EP Razors To Oblivion was last year. The new LP has Kurt Ballou's dirty little fingers all over it, bringing their rich early Swedish death metal meets hardcore sound to life, as exhibited in "Children of The Horn" available above. Get Heavy Breathing now via Southern Lord. Black Breath will open the BV/1000 Knives/AEG Live Converge extravaganza at Santos Party House on 5/6 along with Touche Amore and Lewd Acts. Make sure and get their early (their live show is worth it), and get your tickets in advance (it WILL sell out). Seriously brutal and fun stuff... you gotta love a band that screams "reject Christ, spit on the cross" at the top of their lungs. Or am I alone on that one?

Though it only lasts two tracks (but conversely- 35 minutes), the new EP from Altar of Plagues, Tides, is every bit as powerful as White Tomb, one of my favorite LPs of last year. AoP's new Tides EP is currently up for pre-order via Burning World Records (cop it), but until that package arrives, make sure and dig on "Atlantic Lights" from the EP (50% of the record!) , which makes it's world premiere here!

An LP from last year that was just too good to be free was Celeste's Misanthrope(s). With a potent mix of black metal, furious hardcore, and even melody, it was a seriously underrated record that deserved much more attention than it got. Even though Misanthrope(s) is barely in the rear view, the band has released their new LP, Morte Nee(s) for FREE download (get it above). Make sure and order a copy of the LP for yourself via Denovali as well though, it's one to keep for posterity.

Richmond's Inter Arma totally floored me at The Charleston with their furious mix of black metal, southern stoner style and Neurosis-style imperial riffage. Besides being a jawdropping live band, Inter Arma has also put together a pretty memorable record as well in the form of Sundown, out soon on Forcefield Records. Featuring members of another great Richmond band, Bastard Sapling, check out the band when they hit the road in July, but until then, check out Sundown!

A darkness has settled over the land... details on Watain's new album have been revealed! Entitled Lawless Darkness, the effort was recorded at Necromorbus Studio (Deathspell Omega, Funeral Mist, Ondskapt, Nominon, Unanimated et al) in Alvik, Sweden, and is due on June 7 with the below cover art and the tracklisting as listed down below. The release follows their picture disc EP Reaping Death which quickly disappeared, though the CD single is currently available.

That Watain cover, plus news on Blood Revolt (Primordial + Revenge), Loss, Man Is The Bastard, Hail of Bullets, Woe, a new Inquisition LP, and more as Short Wave Warfare continues....

Continue reading "Short Wave Warfare (04/20/10)"

"December 26th DANZIG Show Rumors are TRUE" - Michale Graves

The "American Psycho" lineup of the resurrected MISFITS (minus Jerry Only) will be reuniting for a one-time performance at the Starland Ballroom in Sayerville, New Jersey on Saturday, December 26. Headlining the show will be DANZIG.

The reunited MISFITS will include vocalist Michale Graves, guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein and drummer Dr. Chud. Bassist Jerry Only will not be participating, but Argyle Goolsby of BLITZKID/GORGEOUS FRANKENSTEIN fame will there to add the low end.

Vocalist Michale Graves has been busy touring with MARKY RAMONE'S BLITZKRIEG as well as supporting his recent live acoustic album, "Illusions Live/Viretta Park", which is available via Screaming Crow Records.

"This is more of the MISFITS then anyone has ever seen in almost 10 years," says Graves. "75 percent of the band reunited on stage in New Jersey opening for the man truly responsible for all this horror business?! I am confident that this will provide fans a real taste of what the MISFITS truly were and could have been!" [Blabbermouth]

I thought there might some kind of Misfits reunion at the show, but I didn't think it would be with Michael Graves singing... So like, just to clarify, here is a list of all the Misfits singers:

1) Glenn Danzig - Lead vocals (1977-1983)
2) Michale Graves - Lead vocals (1995-2000)
3) Jerry Only - Bass guitar (1977-1983, 1995-present), lead vocals (2001-present)

Jerry Only is the current singer of the "Misfits" aka the band you would be going to see if you ever bought tickets to a Misfits show in the present day. Jerry, and his drummer Robo (a member of the band from 1982-1983, and from 2005-present) will likely NOT be at the Starland show because they wouldn't really be welcome.

According to a report from Cleveland Scene, there were apparently plans underway for a proper reunion between the Misfits and their estranged singer-songwriter, Glenn Danzig. However, according to an interview with former Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein:

We were actually going to do a Misfits reunion with Glenn. But Jerry put a fuckin' monkey wrench in it. [In] 2002, we had meetings ... And [Jerry] kind of fucked it up, him and his manager. We were going to do a record, do a tour and everything. So let all the Misfits fans put that in their pipe and smoke it.

Over the years since 2002, rumors have always emerged that Danzig would reunite with his former bandmates, but the singer always vigorously denied them. In fact, during the lead up to the singer's 2005 Blackest of the Black tour, Glenn noted: "It's the closest thing to a Misfits reunion anyone is ever going to see!" [PunkNews]

Glenn Danzig, aka the real and original singer of the Misfits, has been doing mini Misfits reunion sets with Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (who happens to be Jerry's brother) since 2005 (as noted above). Doyle, who is now in Gorgeous Frankenstein with Dr Chud, was the Misfits bassist from 1980-1983 (with Glenn) and from 1995-2001 (with Michael Graves).

Glenn and Doyle do the special Misfits sets in addition to playing with their respective bands who would be on the same bill....such as during the 2005 Blackest of the Black tour... and much like lineup at Starland Ballroom tonight (12/26)... where I'm hoping they do it again in addition to the confirmed Michale Graves reunion which is weird - especially since they're sharing a bill with Glenn...

Maybe Glenn will play with Doyle in addition to the Michale Graves set? Maybe Glenn will come out and play with Michale, Dr. Chud (Misfits drummer from 1995-2000) and Doyle? Or maybe Doyle will just come out and play during Danzig's set? No matter what, it's going to be an interesting night and a family affair... Even the first band on the bill, Seventh Void, features a member of Danzig's band (Johnny Kelly who is also in Type O Negative).

Tickets are still on sale.

A "Danzig vs Michale Graves" video, two versions of the show flyer and more info below...

Continue reading "Michale Graves version of the Misfits reuniting (sort of) @ Starland Ballroom Danzig show (TONIGHT)..."

Danzig @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (more)

tonight in NYC
* Danzig @ Starland Ballroom
* NY Gypsy All-Stars @ Joe's Pub
* Car Stereo (Wars) @ The Bell House
* Meta & The Cornerstones @ Zebulon
* Pretty Mouth, Echo Station, Stumblebum Brass Band, Ryan Vosler, Zack Glass @ Mercury Lounge
* Peter & Zoe Stampfel, Ether Frolic Mob, Bill Murray Experience, The Dustbin, Gene & Emily @ Cake Shop

The Danzig show tonight now features a 1997 Misfits reunion set with Michale Graves singing.

Frankie (Rose) and the Outs play two shows on New Years Eve. One at Cameo. One at Cake Shop.

Gogol Bordello kick off their three night run on Sunday.

What else?

Continue reading "What's Going on Saturday? (day after Christmas)"

NJ's Starland Ballroom is running a sale of 50% off all December shows (password = TTS09). That includes the December 5th Sharon Jones show, the December 26th Danzig show, the December 30th Dilinger Escape Plan/Thursday show, and the Clutch show happening on New Years Eve.

Life of Agony play Starland Ballroom on Saturday night.

"Formed over twenty years ago and having not played Austin in fifteen or so years, Danzig closed Fun Fun Fun Fest with a bang. The band that metalheads, punk rockers, and slightly ironic hipsters all love didn't disappoint anyone who stood in the rain and mud all day long. Glenn Danzig's voice - recognizable to everyone after years from The Misfits and "Mother" dive bar jukebox plays - sounded surprisingly strong as he belted out songs from Lucifuge, Danzig III, and other career defining moments. And he even, appropriately, gave a shout out to Biscuit and the Big Boys for this little monster of a fest they helped inspire." [Austin Sound]

Yes it was awesome, and it was the first time Danzig played Austin in 15 years. After the show a girl a scattered her dead friend's ashes on the stage because one of his last wishes was that his ashes be spread where Danzig had stood... supposedly a true story though I didn't see it happen. There's also supposedly a picture that will surface at some point this week.

Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative was on drums. I think the bassist was Steve Zing, who was also in Samhain. Glenn told the crowd that he and Steve used to be in a band that played an old Austin venue called Liberty Lunch. I think the guitarist was Tommy Victor of Prong. All of these guys have been in the band for a while. John Christ and Eerie Von haven't been in the band since 1995. Chuck Biscuits left one year before that.

It rained all day, but magically stopped right before Danzig. Instead of taking credit for making it stop, Glenn literally took credit for making it rain. Possibly the quote of the day: "I heard you were having a drought here, so i brought in the black clouds of Danzig." (or something like that).

I hope to see them again when they play in NJ on the day after Christmas.

More pictures from the Sunday night set in Austin, including a shot of the setlist, below...

Continue reading "Danzig @ Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin - pics & setlist"