Chinese Democracy from Axl Rose of Guns N Roses best mainstream rock single since Don’t Cry
October 31, 2008
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According to Billboard.biz, GUNS N’ ROSES‘ new single, “Chinese Democracy”, has made a splashy bow across a bevy of Billboard’s and Radio and Records‘ rock airplay charts — after only five days of airplay. It debuts at No. 12 on Mainstream Rock, No. 15 on Active Rock, No. 37 on Modern Rock and No. 7 on Rock. On Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, which began in 1981, it’s the band’s best debut since 1991 when “Don’t Cry” opened at No. 4.
GUNS N’ ROSES‘ new album, “Chinese Democracy”, will be released in the U.S. exclusively through Best Buy. The 14-song set will be available on CD, vinyl, and as a download. While singer Axl Rose has remained silent, co-managers Irving Azoff and Andy Gould said in a statement, “The release of ‘Chinese Democracy’ marks a historic moment in rock n’roll. We’re launching with a monumental campaign…that matches the groundbreaking sound of the album itself. GUNS N’ ROSES fans have every reason to celebrate, for this is only the beginning.”
One new song, “Shackler’s Revenge”, debuted on September 14 through the Rock Band 2 video game, while another, called “If The World”, can be heard in the new film “Body of Lies”.
“Chinese Democracy” is the first album of new material from GUNS N’ ROSES since 1991’s “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II”.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107992
The sad open letter to John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page about this Led Zeppelin tour
October 31, 2008
Dear Sirs:It has come to my attention that there has been talk of a Led Zeppelin reunion of sorts. Though I was at first overjoyed by these rumors, I was quickly thrown into a state of mild panic and confusion when I further read that this “reunion” would not include Robert Plant. Let’s pause a moment at the absurdity of it.
Now I know the internet can be full of rumors, and sick twisted little lies. But this is just plain cruel. And I do hope that it is just that, rumors and lies. If they’re not, then I’m not sure how to explain to you both how wrong touring without Robert Plant would be.
In case you were unaware, here in the states we are in the midst of a highly charged and very important
election. We are at war and our economy is in shambles. This is not exactly a good time for us to have to deal with something as detrimental to our general sense of well-being as a “Plantless” (if I may be so bold) Zeppelin reunion.
I feel that there is a good start here in that the two of you as well as young Mr. Bonham have been working and playing together. I feel that a sit down discussion with Mr. Plant could easily turn into something positive. In spite of his heavy denials that a reunion will ever happen, we all know he doesn’t really mean it.
If there is any hesitation at taking a complete reunion seriously, please feel free to use this letter as a jumping off point. A place where a conversation can begin. Change is happening everywhere. We could very well have our first black president come January. We are truly at the dawn of a new era. I believe that change is possible. Dreams can come true, and Zeppelin can once again come together.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just a girl with a dream. But maybe, just maybe…
Sincerely,
Meghan Harvey
3-Time Page & Plant Concert Attendee & Lifelong Zeppelin Junkie
http://magazine.jamsbio.com/2008/10/31/an-open-letter-to-jimmy-page-john-paul-jones/
Demolition Records to release Twisted Sister Live At The Astoria on Special Twin-Disc CD and DVD on November 18
October 31, 2008
TWISTED SISTER LIVE AT THE ASTORIA ON SPECIAL TWIN-DISC CD AND DVD
~November 18~
New Set Marks The First Uncensored Commercially-Released Twisted Sister Concert CD in 25 Years
New York, NY(October 30, 2008)—Demolition Records is proud to announce the release on both CD and DVD of Twisted Sister Live At The Astoria on November 18. The specially packaged set will contain both discs, recorded at The Astoria Theater in London one hot summer 2004 night. This new set marks the first commercially-released Twisted Sister Concert CD in 25 years. (Previous longform Twisted Sister DVDs include The Video Years, Live At Wacken: The Reunion and A Twisted Christmas.)
Hailed by critics as one of the band’s greatest live triumphs of the Long Island, New York band’s 35-year career (they’ve sold over 30 million albums worldwide), Live At The Astoria contains 16 tracks on each disc and will retail for $19.97.
Guitarist JJ French says, “While certain band members remember certain shows, and relate tales of particular performances as being their favorite, rarely does the band universally agree that any particular show is about as good as it gets. Regarding this show, I can say without hesitation or ambiguity: for once the critics were right. Each band member considered that night to be amongst the most special of our careers. The concert was filmed and kept in a vault for the past four years. When we had the opportunity to look at the footage, it brought back the heat, passion, intensity and audience participation of The Astoria. We look forward to sharing this magical performance with all of you.”
Track Listing
1) What You Don’t Know (Sure Can’t Hurt You)
2) The Kids Are Back
3) Under The Blade
4) Destroyer
5) Life A Knife In The Back
6) Burn In Hell
7) Ride To Live
Shoot ‘Em Down
9) You Can’t Stop Rock’n’Roll
10) The Fire Still Burns
11) We’re Not Gonna Take It
12) The Price
13) I Am, I’m Me
14) I Wanna Rock
15) Come Out And Play
16) S.M.F.
This one claims to have the first reviews of Black Ice album from AC/DC
October 30, 2008
The reviews for AC/DC tour are coming and here is Matt Manochio from USA Today.
Matt Manochio, USA TODAY
Location: Wachovia Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Attendance: A sold-out crowd of 8,000
The event: Veteran Aussie rockers AC/DC launched the North American leg of their world tour Tuesday night in support of the band’s first studio album in eight years, Black Ice.
First in line: Kyle Friend, 20, of Freeport, stood in frigid winds outside the arena’s front door and has been an AC/DC fan “since I was 8 or 9. My first CD was Back in Black.”
Family jewels: Like many of the younger people in the crowd, Natalie Wasko, 14, of Scranton, got hooked on the band because of her parents. “I grew up liking them — my dad loves them. It’s hereditary. I’m just hoping they play my favorite song, Big Balls.”
The merch: AC/DC-emblazoned long-sleeve denim jacket ($125), train engineer cap ($15), red flashing devil horns ($10), CDs, DVDs, more T-shirts than can be imagined.
Biggest fan: Brian Williams, 39, of Cleveland, who fit his 6-foot-4 frame into a replica of the schoolboy uniform (including the red knickers and tie) that guitarist Angus Young wears on stage. Williams’ wife, Dianna, made it for him in 2003. “I’m actually going to the first five shows of the tour, nine shows overall. This will be the 31st time I’ve seen them.” The bald Williams even stitched a ponytail onto his cap to complete the headbanger’s ensemble. As for the band’s allure: “It’s something you hold on to through all of your life. It brings you back to a better time.”
Opening act: The Answer, Northern Ireland’s answer to Led Zeppelin, apparently, because lead singer Cormac Neeson is doing his best to channel Robert Plant.
Riding into the arena: Lights go down and the crowd roars as a huge video monitor plays a cartoon of a freight train screaming down the rails. There’s enough sexual suggestion to make Hugh Hefner blush, what with animated strippers pulling all the levers while Angus throws coal into the furnace. The train reaches its destination and smoke pots boom as AC/DC saunters onto the stage. The tour kicks off with the Rock N Roll Train running right off the tracks.
Casual dress: Angus flies around the stage in his red schoolboy uniform. Brian Johnson is sporting a gray Gatsby cap — it wouldn’t be an AC/DC show without it — and a sleeveless black button-down, while rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, bassist Cliff Williams and drummer Phil Rudd are in T-shirts and jeans. All is normal in the world.
Rock and …”All right, you want to roll? Let’s get (expletive) going!” Johnson shrieks before launching into Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be.
The sound: The band is tight and loud. The floor is shaking. Crushing waves of sound boom from the walls of speakers on and overhanging the stage. Johnson’s vocal cords have got to be held together by dental floss at this point, but he sounds great, shrieking Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and the stadium anthem Thunderstruck.
The stage: Williams and Malcolm anchor Rudd as he pounds away. A long catwalk extends into the audience so Johnson and Angus can strut up and down, belting out guitar solos or slapping hands with the fans. A circular platform juts out at the end and elevates Angus into the air so everyone in the building can see him wield his ax.
The songs: The band is cranking out new songs as much as the classics, including Big Jack, Black Ice, War Machine and Anything Goes.
Strippin’ and bell ringin’: Angus is showing some flesh, flashing his scrawny AC/DC underwear-covered bottom to the crowd as the band plays The Jack. Next up is the massive iron Hell’s Bell that’s lowered over the stage so Johnson can leap onto the dangling rope to clang it.
It’s a frat party!: Moms who were in college playing beer pong when You Shook Me All Night Long came out in 1980 are clapping, grooving and singing it with their kids. “Yeah, I knew you guys could sing!” Johnson tells the crowd.
Fire!: That big locomotive is shooting off fireballs and smoke as the band plays the skull-crushing TNT.
Strutting: Angus plays his guitar while holding it over his head during Let There Be Rock, furiously spinning himself in a circle on that elevated platform in the middle of the arena. And the 53-year-old will be doing this probably 100 times, every other night over the next six months. There’s no excuse not to take the stairs at work.
The end: “Good night! Thank you for sharing this special night with us,” Johnson yells. They’re not going anywhere; it’s time for encores. Sure enough, Angus pops up from a platform under the stage and rips out Highway to Hell. All 8,000 people, young and old, male and female, are screaming the song about the hellish life young bands lead on the open road. Killer Chuck Berry-esque guitar solo.
It’s not over: AC/DC’s songs all might sound the same, but they’re unique in their own way, like the unmistakable first chords of For Those About to Rock. Six Civil War cannons take their place on the stage speakers and belch out insanely loud explosions and smoke. It’s how they end all their shows. But it’s a great chaotic way to end the maelstrom.
Ears gone bad: The set was a tight 90 minutes (for $90 tickets, two hours would have been nice, but the guys are getting up there in age). The crowd filing out of the arena didn’t seem to mind, shouting to their friends and family because nobody can hear anything.
Next stops: Two shows in Chicago (Thursday and Saturday), then it’s on to Indianapolis (Monday).
http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-10-28-ac-dc-postcard_N.htm?csp=34
Manochio reports for The Daily Record in Morris County, N.J.
http://tacomadome.blogspot.com/2008/10/acdc-first-reviews.html
Black Ice album from AC/DC tops nearly 800,000 copies sold
October 30, 2008
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With first-week sales of just over 784,000, rock legends AC/DC’s latest LP, Black Ice — which was sold exclusively in the U.S. through Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the band’s official Web site — has earned the distinction of becoming the year’s best-selling rock debut, surpassing the 721,000-plus week-one sales put up by Coldplay’s Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, which sold over a million units its first week in stores, remains the year’s best first-week seller.
Black Ice marks the band’s second stint at #1 (1981’s For Those About to Rock … We Salute You reached the peak several weeks after its initial release), and the first chart-topping debut of the band’s more than 30-year-career. AC/DC will also be the first band to get to get its very own version of MTV’s video game “Rock Band,” which is due on November 2 and will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart/ Sam’s Club for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.
The chart’s second-biggest seller, the soundtrack to “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” enters the top 200 at #2, selling nearly 297,000 units, according to the latest sales data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The only other new release to enter the chart’s top 10 belongs to gospel duo Mary Mary, whose The Sound scanned almost 37,000 copies to bow at #7.
T.I.’s Paper Trail falls one spot to #3, selling more than 93,000 units, while Kenny Chesney’s Lucky Old Sun slips three spots to #4, scanning almost 88,000 copies. Metallica’s Death Magnetic follows at #5 with approximately 52,000 units scanned, while Kid Rock’s Rock N Roll Jesus lands at #6 with just under 41,000 sold. Ne-Yo’s Year of the Gentleman holds for a third week at #8, with more than 30,000 scans, while the self-titled debut from Jennifer Hudson, who suffered a heartbreaking family tragedy in recent days, slides four spots to #9, selling close to 29,000 units. Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III sold more than 25,000 copies, climbing two spots to #10.
Also new to next week’s chart is Hank Williams III’s latest, Damn Right, Rebel Proud, which enters at #18 with just under 20,000 copies snatched up, while Lee Ann Womack’s Call Me Crazy debuts at #23 with nearly 17,000 sold. Escape the Fate’s This War Is Ours opens at #35, with just under 13,500 sold, while Of Montreal’s Skeletal Lamping bows at #38. Craig Morgan’s That’s Why follows at #39, while folk-pop artist Brett Dennen’s Hope for the Hopeless bows at #41. Calle 13’s Los de Atras Vienen Conmigo makes its debut at #89, and Disciple’s Southern Hospitality follows at #98.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598134/20081029/acdc.jhtml
