Kool And The Gang just as suprised to be opening for VH!!
KOOL & THE GANG Opening for VAN HALEN? Blame David Lee Roth
Posted on February 9, 2012 by Steve C
On February 18, KOOL & THE GANG hit the road opening for VAN HALEN.
The unlikely pairing was not only a surprise for fans, but for the RnB band themselves.
“I was kind of surprised,” co-founder Robert “Kool” Bell tells Billboard.com, “because VAN HALEN is more on the rock side and we do what we do. I said, ‘That’s an interesting combination…’ It really caught us by surprise. But the more people I mention it to, the more interesting they’re saying it is.”
Bell says having KOOL & THE GANG open for VAN HALEN‘s North American tour was frontman David Lee Roth‘s idea. Roth saw Kool and company perform at the 2011 Glastonbury festival and enjoyed it so much that he lobbied the band onto the bill.
“We’re not that worried about it,” said Bell. “We had big hits in the 80s, and so did they. They’ve been kind of like a party band on the rock side, with their audience, and their audience is 60 percent female and we have songs like ‘Ladies’ Night’ and ‘Celebration’… and our audience is at least 80 percent a pop audience. Most of the time we have a crowd that’s 80 percent white. Plus we do a lot of international dates with Def Leppard, Meat Loaf, Uriah Heep, Chicago, Elton John…A lot of people don’t know that ’cause they don’t really see it.”
“So I think we’ll survive.”
KOOL & THE GANG will play a 50-minute set before each VAN HALEN show, according to Bell, and in addition to the big hits the group plans to incorporate its handful of more rock-leaning songs such as “Misled,” “Tonight” and “Emergency,” which it also played at Glastonbury.
Congrats to local standouts 7 Horns 7 Eyes! Not only did these dudes recently announce they've signed with international metal heavyweight label Century Media, but their upcoming release, "Throes Of Absolution" was also named as one of MetalSucks.net's "Albums That Will F*** Your Face Off In 2012."
Alongside all this big-time attention, it was also announced that former Nevermore shredder Jeff Loomis will appear on the album with a guest solo. Damn! Now I'm stoked!
Throes Of Absolution will be available in the U.S. on April 24th via Century Media records. The Northwest is doing it big in 2012 baby! Yeeeeeeah!
It appears that we haven't made mention of the new Lamb Of God record on this here blog. That changes now. Just wanted to pop my head in real quick and let you know that if you have ANY doubts about "Resolution" being one of 2012's heaviest n most skull-smashingly rad records, go ahead and erase that poppycock from your mind right now. I have been lucky enough to hear the new album in it's entirety, and no, not just the crappy sounding, pre-release, internet-leaked version, but the real thing. Do yourself a favor and check out the new single "Ghost Walking" if you haven't already, and see just what I'm getting at.
"Resolution" is Lamb Of God's sixth LP and comes out Tuesday January 24th. That's next week. Sweeeeeeeet!
If you’re a frequent listener of Metal Shop, there’s a pretty damn good chance that you haven’t been a good boy and/or girl this year, so in all reality, I wouldn’t be expecting a visit from jolly old Saint Nick tonight. Instead, don’t be surprised to see a demonic alien-looking beast climbing down your chimney to whip you with chains and tie you up. That’s right, according to legendary folklore from many Alpine countries, a creature known as KRAMPUS accompanied Saint Nicholas during the Christmas season to punish all the bad boys and girls for the mischief they’ve cause that year. In Austria, Bavaria and Hungary, it’s become a tradition for young men to dress up like Krampus during the holiday season.
We here at Metal Shop welcome Krampus, for he will be amongst friends here as we bask in brutality. See ya tonight freak!
It's hard to believe that seven years ago today, the metal world was sent flat on it's face with the news that Darrell Abbott aka Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed onstage while performing with Damageplan. Not only was Dime one of the most iconic guitarists of all time - adding a "new level" of shred to the metal scene in the 90's, but he was also known for being an extremely down to earth, fun-loving dude's dude - a guy that loved to party and throw down with the best of them. While I never got to meet the guy personally, his music continues to touch me as I am a long time Pantera fan and will always celebrate this day, not only as a day to grieve for the loss of a legend, but to celebrate the way he would've wanted it. Now Get Yer Pull!
This Saturday, December 10th, members of the Northwest metal community will be uniting to pay tribute to the fallen legend at Studio Seven.
The full lineup is Psychonaut Deathtrip, Sporicyde, Ninthgate, Surgical Chaos, Grimmride, Blood Of Rome, SIN, Tatarus and Upside Down Circles. The chaos begins at 4 pm and continues all night long. If you go, remember to listen to Metal Shop on your way home, as we will also be paying tribute to Dime in our very own way.
R.I.P Dimebag Darrell
August 20th, 1966 - December 8th, 2004
Tonight, Seattle metal fans have quite a decision to make. Will you be storming down to El Corazon to check out Norwegian black metal lords Mayhem or hiking over to Showbox at the Market and checking out the reunited (sort of) Kyuss Lives! Personally, I'm going to try and make both, as I'm a fan of northwest doomsters YOB who are opening for Kyuss, then I might trek over to see Keep Of Kallesin and possibly Mayhem. I don't have a car, so we'll see how easy this is on foot.
But either way, two great shows on one murky-ass night. Choose wisely my friends. I'll see you at either!
The global metal community was deeply saddened today when the news that longtime GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot a.k.a Flattus Maximus was found dead on his tour bus en route to Canada. Smoot produced the last two GWAR albums, "Lust In Space" and "Blood Pit Of Horror" (both awesome records!) and was an essential part of the band for 12 years, donning the brutally sweet white dreadlocks, reptile feet, and spiked shoulder blades night in and night out.
GWAR is currently scheduled to play at Showbox SoDo this coming Tuesday. There is no official word yet as to whether or not the concert will continue on as scheduled. For now, though, we mourn the loss of another great metal guitarist/producer, and keep his family in our thoughts. Rest In Power!
Here is an official statement given by GWAR vocalist/founder Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, via MetalUnderground.com.
"It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR's current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long-term plans. At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today. We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss. A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him."
Last weekend, we had the chance to interview Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt before their stellar show at Showbox SODO with Katatonia. Earlier this week, we posted part 1. Here, without any further delay, is part 2 of our in-depth interview with this super-Swede musician.
This past Saturday, we had the opportunity to sit down and chat with one of the most well-spoken dudes in metal, Mr. Mikael Akerfeldt of the almighty Opeth. Here is PART 1 of our interview, where we discuss the new album,
"Heritage," and it's prog-rock leanings. Check back tomorrow for PART 2.
