Device Releases New Songs

You might remember my article about a new "Super-Band" being formed by Disturbed's David Draiman. He has an allstar lineup for recording and for touring. A few songs have been released and played on our local station 94.1 WJJO. The songs are good (as was expected), but some sound a lot like Disturbed, which I suppose is to be expected with frontman Draiman leading the pack. You can pre-order the CD on iTunes or in a CD bundle for $16.99 on this site.

Check out this video of "Close My Eyes Forever," which actually isn't all that reminiscent of Disturbed. It has a unique sound and features Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. I think the best part about this whole band is being able to hear some big names collaborate together to create a new, yet familiar, sound. It is not as heavy as Disturbed, but has some of the trademark growls and grunts from Draiman. 

What do you think of the new band and the new songs? Check out Device's official website where you can hear more songs, pre-order the CD, and learn more about the band. 

Upcoming Show: Lamb of God at The Orpheum

In case people haven't noticed, the concert scene in Madison has been a little sad the last few months. Sure, it's not festival season, but usually there are some decent shows throughout the winter. This winter has been a disappointment. Hopefully spring and summer will be better and this is an excellent start. I've got my tickets already - did you get yours? Come throw down with Randy Blythe and the boys in Lamb of God as well as Decapitated and Terror. Get your tickets now!

When: Friday June 7th
Time: Doors at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:45pm
Where: Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI
Cost: $25 in advance
What:

Robert Zildjian Dies at 89

The following was posted on Sabian's website sometime Thursday afternoon (3-28-2013). The battle between Sabian and Zildjian cymbals is a typical sibling rivalry story, but today everyone is mourning over the death of the founder of Sabian.

"It is with deep, deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Robert "RZ" Zildjian, our beloved founder and leader. A tireless and dynamic force within the drum industry, he inspired each one of us in the Sabian family to work harder, to reach farther, to make a difference - and he led us by example.

His professional story is well known. Having been dealt a major career setback at an age where most men would have opted for retirement, RZ instead chose to re-invent the cymbal business with his own hand-crafted brand, a brand that would forever change the face and sound of popular music. With his bare hands he shaped the Sabian cymbal brand into his life's story - and by extension we became his family.

We mourn his passing, and he will be forever in our hearts. But we are better people for having known RZ, and we are richer for having worked alongside him. We draw comfort from the knowledge that his spirit will live on in the music made by drummers the world over.

Rest in peace, RZ."

Sabian

New Band Coming Soon to Madison

A new band will be hitting the Madison area soon. With former members of Seven Signs and Livid, there is no way this band can be bad. Keep an eye on the blog and on Facebook for when this new project hits. We always need new bands on the scene, especially with artists so dedicated to the music and making it accessible. 

Robb Flynn Discusses Split with Bassist Adam Duce

You may or may not have heard that after 21 years in Machine Head, bassist Adam Duce has left the band. They call it an amicable split, but after reading Robb Flynn's journal entry about it, I'm not so sure. There seems to be a lot of hurt there and he calls it "civil," which in my mind is different than amicable. Flynn is now the only remaining original member of the band. It's the nature of the beast. Bands grow and then grow apart. Sometimes they split up, sometimes members leave, sometimes members are asked to leave. It seems like a glamorous job (and I'm sure sometimes it is) but it is a constant give and take, a lot of pressure, and has the need for everyone to be on the same page.

Here is the text from Flynn's journal on the Machine Head website:

Randy Blythe's Trial Delayed

http://wtvr.com/2013/02/07/randy-blythe-trial-day-4/

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe's trial for manslaughter in the Czech Republic started earlier this week. It was expected to be finished by the end of the week; however, some unforeseen circumstances have caused the trial to be delayed. Blythe's defense team asked to push the trial back due to one of their witnesses being ill as well as two other key witnesses being unable to attend the trial this week. After the last of the testimony today, Blythe is expected to return to the United States until the trial resumes on March 4, 2013.

The only person to testify today before the trial is delayed for another month was Lukas Havlena, who contacted Blythe's defense after hearing some of the witness accounts of Blythe being "aggressive" at the show on the night in question that ultimately led to Daniel Nosek's death. Havlena told the court that Blythe was not aggressive and anything that could be construed that way was just part of the show. Additionally, he said that Blythe and his security personnel made it clear that fans were not allowed on stage.

When the trial resumes next month, some of Havlena's friends as well as security personnel are expected to testify. Blythe maintains that he will once again return to the Czech Republic in order to stand trial. Blythe maintains his innocence and reminds people that this case is very sad and that it is not the fault of the Czech Republic, who many of his fans have been raging against. He issued a statement on Instagram today that read as follows:

"I have read a few news reports of the progress of my case, and trust me- many things are incorrect. But this is the Internet, and of course things are half-baked anyway. Keep in mind that translation is difficult, and many things can be lost, for Czech is a VERY DIFFICULT language. So wait and see, as I am. It is all I can do, except be honest & fight for my freedom in my own way.

I also have heard of some people (not on here) talking smack about the Czech Republic, saying "Fuck the Czech Republic", etc. This not how it should be. This is a very sad case, not something to rage at people you do not know over.

I am not angry with the Czechs at all. A fan of my band is dead- what do I have to be angry about? I am an INNOCENT man, but I am also a very sad man right now. To not be sad in this instance would be inhuman. But mad at the Czech people? Why would I be mad at them?

Here, look at this picture- a mother watches her baby. The child reaches out for something new, laughing and chasing a pretty picture in the air. It is the same here as everywhere else. Do you see?!?!?

Life is beautiful. I hope to see y'all soon."

Interview with The Everyday Losers

I did a review of The Everyday Losers' new EP last week and had a chance to ask Tyler and Dylan Seidel of the band a few questions. Check it out below and check out the original review here.

Photo from band's Facebook

For The Love of Rock and Metal: Tell me about how the band formed and a little about each member.

The Everyday Losers: Well Dylan and I are brothers so we have been playing music together for like seven years and been writing almost as long. Dylan and I went to school with Danny. I always knew he played guitar, but it didn't click with me to ask him to join as a bassist until we had been looking for one for a good while and he suggested it. It was a great transition for the band and he is a good fit.

FLRM: There is no drummer listed on your website or Facebook. Do you have a regular drummer or are you using touring/studio drummers?

TEL: We did use a studio drummer for half the tracks on the EP because at the time Dylan and I were the only members. I was still in high school when we got in contact with Phil Taylor. We headed down to new Orleans and tracked three songs in two days because we were on a low budget. About a year after that we found a drummer and got a few more songs recorded and this time John Lecompt was in on it from the beginning. We had that drummer a little over a year but we are currently still looking.

FLRM:  I’ve had some positive and negative reactions to your music and to a review I did. What do you want the people who have good things to say about you to know? How about those who had negative things to say?

TEL:  I don't think that the album does us justice. We had a hard time getting the earlier tracks on the record to be acceptable. We only had two sessions - a two day session and a five day session for the entire recording of the EP. We were still developing our sound in the middle of it. I look at it as our first EP because it has three tracks from the first as well as the three new ones. John is very precise in recording and mixing. He likes to remove all flaws in the music and some people may hear it and feel the personal quality removed. I think he is great at what he does, but for the next album we are planning on going for a more raw feel. We just did what we could with what was available to us and if you like it that's great. If you don't, that is okay too. We have more to offer than that EP.

FLRM:  Why alternative rock/grunge?

TEL:  We've been classified under that genre before. We aren't trying to imitate any of those bands in any way. We have always said nirvana and Silverchair are the greatest inspirations for our style, but we have developed a different style from them.  Dylan and I  both were attracted to the aggression of grunge. It felt real to us because it had passion.

FLRM:  What is your favorite thing about playing live?

TEL:  Being able to share music that my brother and I create.

FLRM:  What is the local scene like in your area? Have you noticed a change over the last few years (ie: the quality of bands, the number of people attending local shows, etc)?

TEL: We live in a small town. There is not really much of a music scene here. A few larger cities not too far from us have one and it's primarily death metal and power pop punk. It seems as though bands are falling away from the core of rock.

FLRM:  What is your songwriting process? Is it just one person or is it collaborative?

TEL:  Dylan and I write the songs. Dylan writes most of the music and I do most lyrics. We both write the melodies.

FLRM:  If you could sing for any band (current or past) other than your own, which one would it be and why?

TEL: (Dylan) I think Seether would be cool. I've always felt a connection with Shaun's lyrics.

FLRM:  What do you think it takes to put on a really good show?

TEL: We are a tight band live. We feed off the crowd, as well as each other. I do everything I can to be as entertaining as possible. I don't think I have played a show where I didn't end up on the ground or running as fast as I can on the stage. Crowd interaction is key as well. We always try our best to get the crowd into the music.

FLRM:  If you weren’t a musician, what would your number one profession choice be?

TEL: I'm a graphic designer as well, so I'll go with that.

FLRM:  Is there anything else you’d like to add?

TEL:  Hopefully our future recordings will show a sense of passion through the music. We are passionate and would like people to feel connected to the songs.