Pick Your Rock and Metal

Sunday, February 24, 2008

...to quote Lemmy

Was about to post a detailed analysis of forthcoming drugs when I decided to let you all know that the doctor told me on Friday that I have type two diabetes...and so to quote the immortal words of the Godfather of Metal, Lemmy, when he received the same diagnosis... "that'll be diet Coke in my Jack Daniels if you're buying..."

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Has Zach sold out?

Recently announced are two relatively close at hand Rage Against the Machine dates. They are at the Oxegen Festival in Punchestown and Scotland's 'T' on the Park.

RATM used to be radical tipping towards revolutionary in terms of lyrics and music; they only seemed to play festivals with some degree of credibilty. Oxegen and 'T' are festivals that will be populated by 'inde' and pop stuff, where tickets are bought by people wanting to attend an event rather than listening to good music.

So has Zach de La Rocha's agent sold the band out or is the once rebellious one looking to cash in for a pension plan.

The irony of Zach bellowing out '"Fuck You I won't Do What You Want" to be answered by people who will slide back to Radio One listening and guffawing to Chris Moyles inane humour will be lost on those whose only ambition is to get into a Sunday Life pic shot to prove they roughed it at a festival...

Soft rock interlude...

For those who take the occassional break from the mosh pit...you can take a soft rock interlude in the RoI's National Stadium on 25th June when Journey hit the boards....altogether now "Wheel in the Sky keeps on turning..."*

However, who knows who'll be singing with the AoR band by June!



*That's an older Journey song for those that don't just have 'Escape'

Friday, February 22, 2008

Bullet in June

Bullet for My Valentine may have bailed from their January date, but the Welsh metallers have honoured a pledge made to return to Belfast. They'll be rocking the Spring & Airbrake on June 2nd in support of their 'Scream, Aim, Fire' platter.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

'T' anyone?

Rage Against the Machine are to headline Scotland's 'T' in the Park festival. While the rest of the line-up is crap (apart from Biffy Clyro...hi Baal!) one has to wonder what Rage will make of the tartan hordes. When they headlined the 1st 'T' festival 15 years little did thet know they'd be coming back...

The confirmed line-up so far:

The Verve, Rage Against the Machine, R.E.M, Kings of Leon, The Fratellis, Stereophonics, Kaiser Chiefs, Prodigy, Kooks, Primal Scream, Chemical Brothers, Interpol, Ian Brown, The Raconteurs, Biffy Clyro, Counting Crows, KT Tunstall, Feeder, Pigeon Detectives, The Enemy, The Feeling, Amy MacDonald, Panic At The Disco, Hot Chip, Aphex Twin, The Charlatans, The Pogues, Ben Folds, Wombats, Reverend and The Makers, Pendulum, Justice, DJ Hell, Erol Alkan, The National, Band of Horses, Seasick Steve, Eddy Grant, Alabama 3, Sons and Daughters, The Courteeners, Slam, Paul Heaton, Lightspeed Champion, Ting Tings, Black Kids, Sergeant, The Law, Gabriella Cilmi, Sons of Albion, The Script.

12th and 13th July are the dates....sure what else would ye be doing?

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Download fall-out

The headliners may be strange for Download 2008 (Californian pop punk Offspring; once great now novelty act Kiss, and Welsh fashionistas Lost Prophets) but the undercard is strong. (Motorhead, Judas Priest, HIM, In Flames, Coheed & Cambria etc)

At this time of year promoters try and scoop bands on periphery of Download (remember MH, KSE etc last year?).

So far the 2008 fall-out has been Children of Bodom in Dublin on June 11th, but more will be announced soon...watch this space! [well somebody has to!]

Metallica Ireland rumour mill...version 338

Metallica are playing in Ireland soon...at least if you were to believe some of the posts, rumours, waffles and general speculation on various boards, forums etc in recent weeks. So far the rumour mill has Metallica playing in...
Odyssey
RDS
Malahide Castle
Marley Park
Ormeau Park
Botanic
Some field

So far none are confirmed...but a wee birdie says they'll be playing on these isles at some point in 2008. And the Reading/Leeds festival headliners have yet to be announced...

Monday, February 18, 2008

Double 'D' rockin' weekend!

Two contrasting gigs hit Belfast this weekend past, with differing types of appeal, but both showing that live music is best!

On Saturday night a packed Empire warmed up for June's classic rock Odyssey mayhemof Def Leppard and Whitesnake, when Leppard-tribute act, Deft Leppard hit the Music Hall stage. The usual plethora of well-honed greatest hits were paraded, and it has now got to the point that Deft are carving their own stamp on the classics. Remember in the early and mid eighties the Lepps were considered at the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. At times the energy from the stage brought back those heady days when the hair-splitting of rock and metal's sub-genres wasn't important. It was the music that was, and always should be!

And if there is a band that rips up the genre rule-book it's Dillinger Escape Plan. For a variety of reasons I couldn't make it, but from well-informed sources (that is people who where there at the Spring and Airbrake on Sunday night!)

They have been labelled as mathcore, hardcore, metalcore amongst other things, but the reality is they're just a damn fine playing outfit. Reports from the front are that tracks off their newly released Ire Works platter of noise slotted well into the set. Any further reviews welcome!

Now I'm off to plug into the 80s again in preparation for Wednesday's Michael Schenker and Friends gig (support from Glyder) and, though I won't be able to catch Tygers of Pan Tang on Friday nigth (with Inch High backing them up) I might slip the odd Tygers track on to the Decks of Doom...

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Deft touch at The Empire

Europe’s leading Def Leppard tribute band set for Empire return

DEFT Leppard – Europe’s leading Def Leppard tribute act - are set to return to their second home, the stage of Belfast’s Empire Musical Hall on Saturday 16th February.

The band will tread the boards of the Botanic Avenue venue for the fifth time in three years – and each time the reception gets better and better says frontman Ashley Cooper.

“Belfast really has become a second home for Deft Leppard,” he said. “The crowd loves Def Leppard, they sing along, they dance and many have become great friends to all of our band.”

With the ‘real’ Def Leppard set to return to Belfast in June after a 15+ year absence, Saturday’s show promises to whet the appetite of fans of the 80s and 90s rock monsters.

“Def Leppard are a band that appeal to all ages, and play supreme pop and majestic heavy rock,” said Ashely. “When we hit the stage on Saturday night there will be old Leppard favourites and rare tracks to make sure that fans are revved up for June.”

Tickets for Deft Leppard are available from all Ticketmaster outlets and The Empire for £8.50.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Slade...weird eh?

Slade (without Noddy) play Belfast's Waterfront Hall on June 7th, with Mud and a T-Rex act of sorts...most sensible people will avoid this 70s glam rock cash-in aberration...but do remember that Slade once penned the line..."Headbangers don't buy no soul/all they wanna do is rock 'n' roll". Then again Mud had a hit with 'Tiger Feet'

Though you may be tempted...save your cash for White Lion at the Rosetta the next week...better venue, better band, andHarv's Stormzone warming up proceedings!

Panic Cell return to Belfast

THE most under-rated, and potentially the saviours of good old-fashioned rockin' metal, Panic Cell are set for a return to Belfast.

On Saturday, 29th March the good folks of the Distortion Project will bring Luke and his Panic Cell cohorts to The Limelight.

The hard working, hard touring and all round nice guys will be supported by Sinnocence and Interrogate.

Doors open at 4pm and at just £5 admission it is damn good value for a fantastic line-up and a chance to see Panic Cell.

On a personal note Luke has never failed to be a gentleman, has made sure that Belfast has been on the tour itinerary when Bullet Proof Promotions brought Soil, Drowning Pool, Ill Nino etc to the city. For this, let alone the fantastic sounds these guys produce, get yer asses along, support the Distortion Project and have a great night!

As several noted rock journals have already noted...had Panic Cell been American they would have been on summer stadium tours across the globe...find out why on March 29th!