Shanghai has witnessed music history. For the first time in their 30+-year career, Metallica brought their earth-shattering live performance to China.
METALLICA ROCKS CHINA WITH TWO SOLD OUT SHOWS AT MERCEDES BENZ ARENA IN SHANGHAI
Shanghai has witnessed music history. For the first time in their 30+-year career, Metallica brought their earth-shattering live performance to China.
Life-long fans from across the country descended upon Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena for two sold-out nights. The first night sold out in record time and faster than any other Western act.
Cheers filled the arena as the audience of 10,000+ chanted along to band’s lightning-fast riffs, aggressive vocals and pounding drums. With a set featuring some of Metallica’s epic hits such as “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Seek & Destroy” and “Enter Sandman,” they ensured the concertgoers had the time of their lives. Metallica and their fans proved that music is truly a universal language; uniting the international superstars and their Chinese fans in a concert that was a dream of many for over 30 years.
“We didn’t expect the energy that was being given to us would be so intense. We were very excited to see people singing the words, joining in and becoming part of the show; which is what we really love,”remarked guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield.
“Tonight Metallica made music history and opened the doors of China to rock music,”says Adam Wilkes, Senior Vice-President of AEG Live Asia, the promoter of the band’s China shows; “It’s an honor for AEG to be part of the band’s long awaited China debut.”
Metallica is currently on a run throughout Asia and will perform in Seoul, South Korea on August 18, 2013 at CITYBREAK @ Olympic Park.
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Last night I was excited to see that Nicole Atkins was scheduled to play on Later Live…with Jools Holland. A few months ago I was lucky to have had the opportunity to interview Nicole over the phone – and then the next day to watch her play an intimate show at the Soho Review Bar …
Last night I was excited to see that Nicole Atkins was scheduled to play on Later Live…with Jools Holland.
A few months ago I was lucky to have had the opportunity to interview Nicole Atkins over the phone – and then the next day to watch her play an intimate show at the Soho Review Bar in London. I was able to see first hand what a talent she was and knew then that she had the ‘full package’ to reach out to many, many more people – with her excellent songs, charming stage presence and determination.
Originally from Neptune, New Jersey and having toured across the US, making appearances on shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien and David Letterman, Nicole is probably more known in the States than here in England, however, after her strong performance last night on Jools Holland (her British television debut), I’m sure she’s gained even more fans from across the pond.
Other acts included:
Kings of Leon (“Sex On Fire”); when VV Brown came on, at first I wasn’t quite sure what to think, but then as the song went on (“Crying Blood”), her quirky soulful/punk grew on me and now I’ll be interested to hear more about her; Sway featuring Lemar (“Saturday Night Hustle”); and the First Lady of France Carla Bruni was interviewed by a flirtatious Jools Holland and then later was on with her “Tu Es Ma Came” single. It’s strange seeing a President’s wife hanging out with musicians and then singing live with a band…a first for me anyway. Has this ever happened before? With any other country’s First Lady?!
Nicole Atkins performed her dreamy pop single, “Maybe Tonight” off of debut album, ‘Neptune City’ and then Metallica closed the 30 minute night of varied music with their single, “The Day That Never Comes”. All members ended up taking solos, which was interesting on live TV, coming dangerously close to running over time. Now that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll…BBC style!
For years, I had heard of the band Godsmack, but never really knew much about them. A friend of mine here in England recently read Godsmack frontman/founder Sully Erna’s autobiography, The Paths We Choose – and it was funny to find out that Sully comes from Massachusetts and now lives in New Hampshire – my old state…
For years, I had heard of the band Godsmack, but never really knew much about them. A friend of mine, here in England, recently read Godsmack frontman/founder Sully Erna’s autobiography, The Paths We Choose – and it was funny to find out that Sully comes from Massachusetts and now lives in New Hampshire – my old state. The band was pretty much in my backyard the whole time, but it took someone in England to turn me on to them.
Sully Erna seems like a cool guy. I watched a couple interviews with him on YouTube and I like his open mindedness towards life and music. When I listen to Godsmack I can’t help but think of Metallica and Alice In Chains, so I’m glad that Sully’s up front about them being his influences – along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.
Originally a drummer, there’s also footage on YouTube of Sully Erna and Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin’s drum battle “Batalla De Los Tambores” from Godsmack’s DVD “Changes”. You’ve gotta love the way the drums slide onto the stage. They sound great – and it’s good to hear the Rush segment at the end. (You can also find that video on Shannon Larkin’s Yamaha page.)
“I Stand Alone”, the first single off of Godsmack’s third studio album, ‘Faceless’ was featured on the soundtrack for The Scorpion King and is also in the video game, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within (Watch video), along with “Straight Out of Line”. They’ve had other songs in movies, and I think it’s always good to see bands getting their music in movie soundtracks. I wonder if Godsmack will do more with video games? I think they should.
To celebrate 10 years as a band, Godsmack released their Greatest Hits album, ‘Good Times, Bad Times… Ten Years of Godsmack’ December 4th, 2007 on Universal.
The Greatest Hits album includes most of their commercially released singles along with a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times”. The video for it is fun to watch, but seeing the opening shots of Boston like the bridge, the infamous Citgo sign and the fan wearing the Red Sox shirt makes me feel a little homesick!
1. Good Times, Bad Times
2. Whatever
3. Keep Away
4. Voodoo
5. Bad Religion
6. Awake
7. Greed
8. I Stand Alone
9. Straight Out of Line
10. Serenity
11. Re-Align
12. Running Blind
13. Touche
14. Speak
15. Shine Down
16. The Enemy
+ 75 minute DVD acoustic performance filmed in Las Vegas (check listings).
Musicians on album:
Sully Erna – vocals, guitar, drums
Tony Rombola – guitar, backing vocals
Robbie Merrill – bass, backing vocals
Tommy Stewart – drums
Shannon Larkin – drums
The Rock Band video game has been released and for some gamers, Christmas has come early. Developed by Boston based video game company Harmonix (Go Red Sox), and acquired by MTV in 2006, Rock Band is all the rage. Some people are saying it’s the best music video game they’ve ever played and god forbid, that it’s even better than Guitar Hero …
The Rock Band video game has been released and for some gamers, Christmas has come early. Developed by Boston based video game company Harmonix (Go Red Sox), and acquired by MTV in 2006, Rock Band is all the rage. Some people are saying it’s the best music video game they’ve ever played and god forbid, that it’s even better than Guitar Hero. It’s also being reported that sales of music genre games like Rock Band could help save the “flagging” music industry.
Strictly from an observers point of view, I must admit I am curious. It’s hard not to be from all of this excitement. To be able play a video game where up to four players can play instrument-based peripherals – guitar, bass, drums, and a microphone for the singer seems like fun. However, as a singer and musician, I would be interested to know if musicians really can have fun playing Rock Band without getting bored quickly. After all, what’s better than experiencing the real thing? Then again, after a few drinks…
Hats off to the developers, though. Rock Band does seem like it could be a great party game and it is quite the innovative idea.
I’ve been growing more fascinated with the use of music in video games. They’re a great platform for music and will continue to create more opportunities for bands and artists in the years to come.
Now that MTV is involved, it will be interesting to see where we go from here. Rock Band is opening up the playing field and breaking independent bands alongside major artists within the game. I think that’s a great idea and I’m all for it (even with the inclusion of some of the Harmonix staff who are in bands like Freezepop and Bang Camaro!).
The song list is impressive. Just looking through the set list, there are some standout tracks that would be fun to sing and play along to like “Ballroom Blitz”, “Creep”, “Dani California”, “Don’t Fear the Reaper”, “Foreplay/Longtime”, “Tom Sawyer” and a few others.
It was announced at one point that Steven Van Zandt, a.k.a. Little Steven (Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band) was going to “head up the board as the chairman with a select group of celebrity musicians and industry experts to select songs.” I’m not sure who was responsible for the band Boston being included, but it’s funny to see, considering Rock Band was created by a Boston based company.
I can imagine there will be many people out there wondering why certain bands and artists aren’t included yet. Like, where’s Jimi Hendrix? I know that Experience Hendrix (Janie who handles his estate) can be strict with his music but if anything, this would be a great platform for his music. Better than having his image printed on golf balls, but I digress.
The song list is also lacking in female singers. Heart (“Barracuda” would be a rockin’ number to sing) and Pat Benatar would be fun additions, but maybe they’ll add more in time. Little Steven certainly has his hands full, and I’m sure will be getting requests for bands on a daily basis.
When or if I do end up playing Rock Band, I’ll be sure to include a full review of my experience with the game here on Band Weblogs.
Watch the Rock Band video demo review by IGN:
Rock Band Song List:
(In alphabetical order)
Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Ballroom Blitz – Sweet
Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
Blitzkrieg Bop – Ramones
Celebrity Skin – Hole
Cherub Rock – Smashing Pumpkins
Creep – Radiohead
Dani California – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Dead on Arrival – Fall Out Boy
Detroit Rock City – Kiss
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper – Blue Oyster Cult
The Electric Version – The New Pornographers
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Epic – Faith No More
Flirtin’ with Disaster – Molly Hatchet
Foreplay/Long Time – Boston
Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones
Go with the Flow – Queens of the Stone Age
Green Grass and High Tides – The Outlaws
The Hand That Feeds – Nine Inch Nails
Here It Goes Again – OK Go
Highway Star – Deep Purple
I Think I’m Paranoid – Garbage
In Bloom – Nirvana
Learn to Fly – Foo Fighters
Main Offender – The Hives
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Mississippi Queen – Mountain
Next to You – The Police
Orange Crush – R.E.M.
Paranoid – Black Sabbath
Reptilia – The Strokes
Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
Sabotage – Beastie Boys
Say It Ain’t So – Weezer
Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
Suffragette City – David Bowie
Tom Sawyer – Rush
Train Kept A-Rollin’ – Aerosmith
Vasoline – Stone Temple Pilots
Wanted Dead or Alive – Bon Jovi
Wave of Mutilation – Pixies
Welcome Home – Coheed and Cambria
When You Were Young – The Killers
Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
13 bonus tracks by established bands and independent artists that can be unlocked as you play the game:
Song List:
29 Fingers – The Konks
Blood Doll – Anarchy Club
Brainpower – Freezepop
Can’t Let Go – Death of the Cool
Day Late, Dollar Short – The Acro-Brats
I Get By – Honest Bob and the Factory-to-Dealer Incentives
I’m So Sick – Flyleaf
Nightmare – Crooked X
Outside – Tribe
Pleasure (Pleasure) – Bang Camaro
Seven – Vagiant
Time We Had – The Mother Hips
Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld – Timmy and the Lords of the Underworld
Downloadable song packs will also be available.
Rock Band is currently available for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 consoles. PS2 in December 2007.
Dead Smiling Pirates began a life of music piracy together in the summer of 2005. This power packed trio plays catchy alternative rock filled with an eclectic mix of influences highlighted by lots of tight breaks, trashy guitar riffs, and punk influenced vocals. They back up their sound and attitude with deeply ironic lyrics about egoism, youth, work, and ethics. Kim Burmeister (vocals/guitars), Erik Aaberg (drums), and Lasse Hansen (bass) invite you to take a voyage on their private ship of musical delights with their new self-titled release.
This take on life is bound to appeal to young and old alike, with the prerequisite being your own punk like attitude and undying nonconformist view of life itself with dead aim at the modern day corporate establishment. If you feel this way join the club and give this indie band a good listen. If you do not share the same feelings, one listen to the Dead Smiling Pirates and you will be a convert.
Most impressively, the former Metallica producer Flemming Rasmussen came in to the Dead Smiling Pirates camp for the new single “Strictly Ballroom.” The production and sound typifies the punk metal sound popularized by bands like Metallica.
“This is funky and modern. Well produced, excellent vocals, good beat, and full of life…a lot of interesting influences…surfer rock from the 60’s, early punk, and recent ‘lo-fi’ rockers like The Killers…pop punk slowed down with bits of ska and rock…sounds every bit as good as Green Day”. -GarageBand
Visit the Dead Smiling Pirates website for downloads, updates, pictures, and pirate like swag, argh!!
Contact: Kim Burmeister Company: Dead Smiling Pirates Address: H. C. Orstedvej 6, DK-1879 Frederiksberg, Denmark Tel: +45 26 83 68 51 Email Website Myspace CD Baby Link
on amazon.com
on amazon.co.uk (UK release – December 10th, 2007)
on amazon.com
Dead Smiling Pirates began a life of music piracy together in the summer of 2005. This power packed trio plays catchy alternative rock filled with an eclectic mix of influences highlighted by lots of tight breaks, trashy guitar riffs, and punk influenced vocals. They back up their sound and attitude with deeply ironic lyrics about egoism, youth, work, and ethics. Kim Burmeister (vocals/guitars), Erik Aaberg (drums), and Lasse Hansen (bass) invite you to take a voyage on their private ship of musical delights with their new self-titled release.