The End Of An Era

I know I really haven't been keeping this blog up for the most part, but this was too important in my book not to post this.

Damn, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Alabama Thunderpussy, one of my favorite local acts and namesake to this blog, have decided to end the band. I have copy and pasted the official statement from founding member and guitarist, Erik Larson that was posted earlier today on their message board:

It’s been a very quiet 2008 from us here in ATP thus far. I know there has been speculation and uncertainty about exactly what the status of the band is, and our apologies go out to y’all for being MIA. Finally, I’m able to give you an update. The beginning of 2008 brought yet more upheaval in the saga that is this band, when Kyle Thomas left the group to focus on his family and the impending Exhorder reunion. The remaining four of us had a band meeting and after serious discussion, decided to take a much deserved/needed few months hiatus to regroup and focus on home life and other individual projects. The “few months” seemed to flow into a bit longer as the summer progressed and we all dug deeper into our lives as individuals outside of ATP. Well, we finally regrouped and after much deliberation and thoughtful discussion, we have decided to end the band. There are no hard feelings between us and no bullshit politics. It’s pretty much just the end of an era. To quote George Harrison, all things must pass. And so after 12+ yrs of solid ATP mayhem, we call it a day. We can’t thank all of you enough for the tireless and seemingly endless support and friendship we received from you over the years, it was really fucking amazing and appreciated more than you know. Each one of us are still very active and involved in creating music and art and we hope you will bless us with your continued support of our individual endeavors. So if you would, raise your drink of choice in our honor and toast to the future.

Erik/ATP 2008

I was just wondering the other day how the recent news of the reforming of Exhorder was going to affect Kyle's status in the band. From a longtime fan and friend of the band ATP will be missed as a group but I will definitely look forward to what may rise from the ashes of this. Good luck to all you guys in all future endeavors. As Erik requested, a toast to the future.

For more information about this announcement or to contribute to their message board you check it out here:

The End Of An Era

Down Comes To Richmond!

New tour dates were added to Down's tour page and one of the dates added was Friday, Feb. 15th at Toad's Place. It shall be "An evening with Down". There will be an introduction video and then Down and Down alone shall play for nearly two hours. After Down's latest Over The Under has been getting rave reviews since it's release last year, be sure not to miss this show. I know I won't.

Municiple Waste's Headbanger Face Rip Video Posted Online

Local Richmond thrashers Municipal Waste have posted the video for Headbanger Face Rip online for your viewing pleasure. It was filmed by the 80s cult splatter film company Troma Entertainment and features such Troma characters as the Toxic Avenger and Kabukiman. The song is from their latest release The Art of Partying.

Floodgate: 'Penalty' Reissue To Include Bonus Tracks

As posted on Blabbermouth:

Metal Mind Productions will issue a remastered edition of Floodgate's "Penalty" and album in Europe on September 10 (October 30 in the U.S. via MVD). The CD will be available in a new digipack edition on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology, limited to a hand-numbered 2,000 copies and featuring three bonus cuts: two demo recordings and one previously unreleased track.

Fronted by former Exhorder and current Alabama Thunderpussy singer Kyle Thomas, this stoner rock band emerged in the mid-'90s, when the music scene was preparing itself for the upcoming wave of nu-metal. The New Orleans-based quartet, however, offered a completely different musical approach. "Penalty", the band's first and only LP, delivers an hour of prime doom-sludge stoner rock, comparable to the best releases by Trouble, Down or Monster Magnet. It features 11 brilliantly arranged tracks, inspired by the Deep South traditions of stoner rock.

"Penalty" (remastered) track listing:

01. Shivering
02. Through My Days Into My Nights
03. Before The Line Divides
04. Those Days
05. Till My Soil
06. Whole
07. Second Guesser
08. Running With Sodden Legs
09. Imitation Salvation
10. Feel You Burn
11. Black With Sin

Bonus tracks:

12. The Sublime and The Hollow (previously unreleased)
13. Those Days (demo)
14. Imitation Salvation (demo)

Damn, this is a killer CD. A must for any fans of Kyle Thomas, Alabama Thunderpussy or Exhorder. Since the original CD has been out of print for awhile you can pick up the remaster for a nice price.

Dear Oderus Urungus......

From Anarchy Music:



Oderus Urungus of Gwar is a saint. He has spent much of his time on Earth helping those in need, when not butchering politicians and useless celebrities onstage in front thousands of screaming fans, that is. He cares so much about the starving people in Africa that he introduced AIDS into the populace to help lessen the number of people needing food. Now, he goes a step beyond that, as the great and mighty warrior has signed on with Anarchy Music to give lonely and lost souls some much needed advice. Love, career, family, friends... no situation is outside the realm of subjects that Oderus has contemplated upon and can help you through. Of course, if you have an issue in your life that could use the intelligent and caring advice from a god among men, just send an email to anarchy@anarchymusic.net with "Dear Oderus" in the subject line.

Read the first installment of "Dear Oderus" at this location.

That's right folks! You read correctly, G.W.A.R. frontman Oderus Urungus has his own advice column. Now following the advice, that's a different story all together.

If Your Life Was A Movie, What Would The Soundtrack Be?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend your cool...

Opening Credits:
Fool To Cry - The Rolling Stones

Waking Up:
The Mill Wheel - Sixty Watt Shaman

First Day At School:
Too Tough To Die - The Ramones

Falling in Love:
Drug Me - The Dead Kennedys

Fight Song:
Electric Rodeo - Shooter Jennings

Breaking Up:
Funky Ceili - Black 47

Prom:
Healing Tongue - Spirit Caravan

Life:
Stabbing The Drama - Soilwork

Mental Breakdown:
You Know I Cry - Twisted Sister

Driving:
Gullah - Clutch

Flashback:
Consequences - Iced Earth

Wedding:
Bangover - Municipal Waste

Final Battle:
Bastard - Motörhead

Death Scene:
No Damn Fool - Throttlerod

Funeral Song:
Indian Giver - The Ramones

End Credit:
Halloween II - The Misfits

Wow, my iPod has some interesting choices for my questions.

Baroness Unveils Preview Track

As posted on Blabbermouth:

Baroness has posted the first preview track, "The Birthing", from its first proper full-length album and Relapse debut, "Red Album". The song can be heard now exclusively via the band's MySpace page.

BARONESS recorded "Red Album" at the Jam Room in Columbia, SC with Phillip Cope (of KYLESA). The record was mastered by Scott Hull at Visceral Sound and is set for a September 4 North American release (September 10 internationally). The CD is available for pre-order now at Relapse.com. The 12" vinyl version of "Red Album" will be available at roughly the same time courtesy of Hyperrealist Records.

BARONESS tour dates:

Aug. 17 - Richmond, VA - Alley Katz
Sep. 19 - Savannah, GA - The Jinx
Sep. 20 - Athens, GA - Repent (with Zoroaster, The Dumps)
Sep. 21 - Asheville, NC - Static Age
Sep. 22 - Louisville, KY - Keswick Democratic Club
Sep. 27 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Roboto Project
Sep. 28 - Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place
Oct. 03 - Baltimore, MD - Otto Bar
Oct. 07 - Richmond, VA - Incubate
Oct. 08 - Raleigh, NC - Volume 11 Tavern
Oct. 09 - Charleston, SC - Cumberlands

Nice, They're hitting Richmond twice on this tour!

My Kinda Station!

While reading some one of my friend's livejournal post on customizable radio stations, I came across a great one mentioned by one of his visitors, Pandora. You can create your own stations by either a favorite band or song. It will then play other songs that are similar in genre or sound. If something comes on that you don't like, jut rate it with a thumbs down and it will never be played again. It's a great way to find new music or if you just are tired of the same songs loaded on your iPod or other digital playlist. The other great feature is if you really like a song they played that you don't have, you can click on a link and buy it from iTunes or Amazon.

G.W.A.R. "Kills" Lordi

It looks like G.W.A.R. continues to show their dislike of Finland's shock rock group Lordi by including Lordi's dismembered head on a stick in their stage shows on the current Sounds of The Underground Tour. The rival started when accusations of Lordi stealing G.W.A.R.'s stage show idea of wearing similar foam latex monster outfits and playing heavy metal. During most of the shows Lordi's head appears after GWAR's opening song, Oderus asks the crowd, "Oh, were you expecting LORDI?" and proceeds to take a replica of Mr. Lordi's head out on a stick. As expected, the crowd then gets covered in blood. A video of G.W.A.R.'s performace of this at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ is now floating around YouTube thanks to The Syndicate Blog. You can watch it down below!

Stuck Mojo Debuts New Video, Web Site and Podcast

From the official press release from Stuck Mojo founder Rich Ward:

Stuck Mojo Debuts Video for "I'm American," New Web Site and Podcast

ATLANTA, GA - Following up on the success of their controversial, anti-jihadist music video for the song "Open Season," Stuck Mojo released today the video for "I'm American" from their new album "Southern Born Killers." In addition, they also unveiled a redesigned web site and the new "Mojo Mindset" podcast series at www.StuckMojo.us.

Stuck Mojo was thrust into the national spotlight earlier this year when the "Open Season" video caught the attention of the blogosphere. Not only was it unusual to see a hard rock band take a pro-American stance, the message of the track was very clear - "we will not simply surrender to those who wish to do us harm." While some would try to claim that the song was anti-Islamic, the lyrics proved this untrue. It is clearly anti-jihadist. Some were so incensed that they accused the band of racism. This is especially ironic considering that jihadists are not a race and the fact that Stuck Mojo is a multi-cultural, multi-racial band themselves!

The controversy was fostered by YouTube denying the video its rightful placement on their most-viewed lists. Google video simply banned the track due to a few of the still images of the jihadists in action. Surprisingly, Stuck Mojo found a new audience in the hundreds of thousands who also were tired of the politically-correct, left-leaning music industry. Guitarist and songwriter Rich Ward appeared on several, national talk shows as well as Fox News" "The Big Story with John Gibson" to clarify the band"s message.

While not as controversial, "I'm American" does find the band once again making it clear, in no uncertain terms, that they are proud of the qualities that has made their country great and the people who have fought and died for its foundation and defense. In today's climate of self-hatred in the music business, where bands openly flaunt their shame at being Americans, Stuck Mojo once again refuses to go with the flow. As with "Open Season" the message of "I'm American" is clear - "we may have our problems and differences, but all are welcome to come and stand with us in freedom."

Stuck Mojo is an Atlanta-based band that is recognized as pioneers in the blending of hard rock and hip-hop. Over their 15-year career they have released several, full-length albums and have toured the world continuously. Their new album, "Southern Born Killers," is available for download, in its entirety, via the band's web site at www.StuckMojo.us. A CD version including bonus DVD is also available for purchase.

Related links:
Official Stuck Mojo web site
"I'm American" music video
"Open Season" music video
"Southern Born Killers" album
and lyrics

Orange Goblin's Healing Through Fire To Be Released On Gatefold Vinyl

As posted on Blabbermouth:

Orange Goblin's latest CD, "Healing through Fire", will be released on gatefold vinyl on September 24 through Sanctuary Records. This will initially be a limited edition of 1,000, all signed personally by the band. The gatefold sleeve will also include exclusive photos, artwork and more.

"Healing through Fire" was released in May through Sanctuary Records. The album was initially released as a CD with a bonus DVD featuring live footage from the band's headline show at London's Mean Fiddler in December 2006.

Alabama Thunderpussy New Tour Dates With Obituary

Nice! Their tour with W.A.S.P. may have fallen through, but it looks like Alabama Thunderpussy are going to head out on tour with Obituary this fall! The dates below are from Obituary's tour dates page and have been confirmed by ATP's guitarist Erik Larson.

September

11 - Springfield, VA - JAXX
12 - New York, NY - B.B. Kings
14 - Saryville, NJ
15 - Southbridge, MA - ADC Performance Center
16 - Williamsville, NY - New York Fright Fest 4 at Club Infinity
19 - Mt. Clemans, MI - Emerald Theatre
20 - Cleveland, OH - Peobodys
21 - Maplewood, MN - The Rock
22 - Indianapolis, IN - KOC Grand Ballroom Metal Festival
24 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
26 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
28 - Las Vegas, NV - TBA
29 - San Diego, CA - Jumping Turtle
30 - Los Angeles, CA - The Knitting Factory

October

02 - Phoenix Arizona - TBA
04 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre
05 - Houston, TX - Meridian
06 - New Orleans, LA - The Hanger

Birds Of Prey Working On New Album

From the latest Relapse newsletter:

Birds Of Prey recently entered Sniper Studio in Moyock, NC to record their second full-length album, Sulfur and Semen.

Birds Of Prey teamed up with producer Vince Burke to track a number of new songs and one IRON AND WINE cover. Advance song titles include: “Satisfy the 45”, “Lice Halo”, “Where Black Lungs Don’t Breathe”, and “Turning Big Rocks Into Little Rocks”.

Sulfur and Semen follows up the band’s debut album, Weight of the Wound, and is expected to see a late 2007 / early 2008 release date via Relapse Records.

Happy Birthday Jenn

Even though this isn't music related, I had to post this!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday hon! I love you!

Alabama Thunderpussy Tour With W.A.S.P. Cancelled!

It appears that Blackie Lawless has cancelled on Alabama Thunderpussy for the second and last time. I was really hopeful that this time the tour would work, but it appears according to a news item on Alabama Thunderpussy's page that Blackie cancelled the tour. I've heard rumors that he can be difficult to work with. I'm guessing that why he's they sole original member left in W.A.S.P. Good news is that the guys in ATP are working on fill-in dates. And don't worry for those fans in the Richmond area, the show on 9/02/07 is still on since it's a local show with Lamb Of God as the headliners.

Alabama Thunderpussy On Tour With W.A.S.P.

I didn't want to post this news until I heard the official dates from the band. It's official! Alabama Thunderpussy is on an opening slot with 80's metal act W.A.S.P.

The following tour dates are with W.A.S.P.

07/17/07 Austin, TX Red Eyed Fly
07/18/07 Houston, TX Scout Bar
07/19/07 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
07/24/07 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
07/26/07 Maplewood, MN the Rock
07/27/07 Detroit, MI Harpos
07/28/07 Mokena, IL the Pearl Room
08/01/07 Wantagh, NY Mulcahy's
08/03/07 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre
08/04/07 Springfield, VA Jaxx
08/05/07 Southbridge, MA ADC Performance Center
08/06/07 New York, NY BB King's
08/07/07 Toronto, Ontario the Big Bop Concert Hall
08/08/07 Quebec, Quebec Imperial de Quebec
08/10/07 Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock Café
08/11/07 Poughkeepsie, NY the Chance

They're may be a stop in Richmond as well but in case there isn't, there is a local show in September:

09/02/07 Richmond, VA Toad's Place (with Lamb Of God, Hatebreed, and 3 Inches of Blood)

Lemmy Kilmister: Now Available in Plastic!

Yet another metal legend is getting the action figure treatment. Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister will be available in shops this November. So be on the look out for him at most collectible and specialty shops this fall!

How To Trash A Hotel Room With Ace Frehley

In 1994, right after Johnny Depp was arrested for trashing his hotel room in New York, a news crew thought it would be funny to get a personal lesson on how to trash a hotel room with a pro, Ex-Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley. In case you are wondering, yes they did get the hotel's permission. Watch the video below to see Ace use a Champagne bottle and chainsaw as tools to redecorate. Funny stuff.

Still Of The Night

Whitepussy (photo by Bryan Cox)

Nice! There is a bonus track on Alabama Thunderpussy's Japanese Edition of Open Fire, it's a cover of Whitesnake's Still Of The Night and you can listen to it on the band's myspace page. I wish I could take credit for the very funny Whitepussy photo above, but the brains behind that was Bryan Cox.

Type O Negative's Video "Profit Of Doom" Posted On YouTube