From the do-it-yourself haircuts and crazy quilt of tattoos (guitarist Lars Frederiksen has the word “Beer” carved inside his lower lip) to the shout-along working-class anthems and high-energy stage presence, Rancid is punk rock’s genuine article.
With “Reconquista” serving as his latest calling card (following releases under the band names Los Gusanos and Bad Chopper – look ‘em up), CJ Ramone recently caught up with 2Fast2Die to plug his latest album and share his all-time favorite.
By Metal Dave With seven kids under one roof, there’s bound to be some commotion. When three of them decide to become professional bassists in hard-rock bands like Keel, Badlands and TUFF, it’s probably safe to assume the cops knew their way to the Chaisson home. “My parents were amazing people!” said TUFF bassist Todd…
By Metal Dave I first heard about The Mistakes while interviewing Poison singer Bret Michaels in 1999. Always quick with tons of fun stories, Bret was making the point that, despite Poison’s frilly image and blockbuster power ballads, the band still attracted its share of hard-ass freaks. “There’s a band out in L.A. called The…
Looking for some candy-ass rock star interview? Then run from the room screaming! Looking instead for some unscripted, brutally honest, always hilarious and fully intelligent insight from rock’s most enduring warhorse? Then stir up some Jack and Coke, and enjoy my 2002 Houston Press interview with Motorhead main man Lemmy Kilmister.
The following originally published in the Austin American-Statesman on Nov. 15, 2012 to advance Aerosmith’s Nov. 16 concert in Austin with special guest Cheap Trick. Where noted, it has been expanded to include additional content. AEROSMITH DRUMMER JOEY KRAMER STILL HITS HARD, LIVES IN TEXAS By David Glessner Special to the American-Statesman Joey Kramer wasn’t…
Aerosmith plays the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX on Friday Nov. 16 with Cheap Trick. Ticket info here. By Metal Dave Let’s give credit where credit is due: Just because Steven Tyler and Joe Perry pulled rank as Aerosmith’s “Toxic Twins,” that doesn’t mean the rest of the band was all cookies and chocolate…
Ian Anderson plays Jethro Tull’s classic “Thick as a Brick” at the Paramount Theatre in Austin TX, Oct. 28. Ticket info here. By Metal Dave Back when sending a letter meant finding a pen and licking a stamp, I mailed a shot in the dark to music journalist Anne Leighton in hopes of getting some…
Despite his best efforts to live fast, die young and leave a fabulous head of hair, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry has buried his expiration date.
By Metal Dave Glessner It’s not without its thorns, but the life of Bret Michaels is rosier than most. As a solo artist and singer for glam-rock legends Poison, Michaels has survived diabetes, a spectacular car crash, a brain hemorrhage and a career of critical slings and arrows. Bruised but never beaten, Michaels also has…
By Metal Dave Lita Ford’s sex appeal blares louder than a Marshall stack, but no volume of cleavage and curves can overshadow her tenacious talent. A survivor of four decades in the boys’ club of heavy metal, Lita commands respect, because, well, to put it ever-so-mildly, she’s got big freakin’ balls! On tour with Def…
By Metal Dave It’s bad enough to be reminded you’re old, but it’s another scare altogether when you’re compelled to check your pulse. Such was the case recently while catching up with former Towers of London and The Prodigy guitarist, The Rev, who now strums his six-strings for The Howling. When asked to name the…