Guitar legend Wally Gonzalez of Juan dela Cruz band passes away

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wally Gonzalez (@wallygon)

MANILA -- OPM legend Wally Gonzalez passed away on Friday morning, July 23, his son, John Gonzalez, confirmed in a Facebook post. "My father Wally Gonzalez Full passed away peacefully in his sleep earlier this morning. To his friends in the music industry and off, we are arranging for a short wake so that you can visit him post-cremation, as was his last wishes. I will be posting updates soon," his son wrote. Gonzalez was one of the founding members of the legendary OPM rock band Juan dela Cruz with Mike Hanopol and the late Joey "Pepe" Smith, known for hits like "Himig Natin," "Beep Beep" and "Titser's Enemy No. 1." Gonzalez, who was also a businessman, was dubbed as "the quiet Juan dela Cruz" member because of his non-flamboyant lifestyle. A professional bluesman, he also founded the band Wally and Friends, and released solo albums. His instrumental "Wally's Blues" is considered one of the most influential songs in Pinoy rock.  

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Rolling Stones release new song 'Living in a Ghost Town'

NEW YORK — The Rolling Stones on Thursday released their first new original music since 2012, a single aptly named "Living in a Ghost Town."

Frontman Mick Jagger announced the surprise release on Twitter, saying, "The Stones were in the studio recording new material before the lockdown & one song -- Living In A Ghost Town -- we thought would resonate through the times we're living in."

Speaking to Apple Music moments later, Jagger said he and Keith Richards wrote the song over a year ago, but that it was uncannily fitting to current times.

"It wasn't written for now, but it was just one of those odd things," he said.

"It was written about being in a place which was full of life but is now bereft of life so to speak... I was just jamming on the guitar and wrote it really quickly in like 10 minutes."


Before releasing the moody song heavy on twang, Jagger tweaked some of the lyrics to fit the contemporary moment.

"Some of it is not going to work and some of it was a bit weird and a bit too dark," Jagger said. "So I slightly rewrote it. I didn't have to rewrite very much, to be honest. It's very much how I originally did it."

The 76-year-old sings of chaos and destruction and the seemingly infinite loneliness of isolation.

"Life was so beautiful / Then we all got locked down," Jagger sings.

"Please let this be over / Stuck in a world without end."

Also speaking to Apple Music, Richards said the song was cut in 2019 at a Los Angeles studio and re-worked for release recently.

"It's sort of eerie when suddenly it's coming to life," he said, adding that he'd been thinking the pandemic was an appropriate time for release.

"Then Mick called me and said the same thing and that great minds think alike."

The iconic British rockers have spent much of the past two decades touring, though the coronavirus halted those plans.

The band was set to play 15 shows across North America starting May 8, but all have been postponed due to the pandemic.

"Living in a Ghost Town" is the Stones' first original work since 2012's "Doom and Gloom" and "One More Shot" came out on the greatest hits album "GRRR!"

The band hasn't released an original album since 2005's "A Bigger Bang" but have said they've slowly been working on a new collection over the past several years.

Over the weekend, the Stones headlined a marathon virtual concert put on by the international advocacy organization Global Citizen in collaboration with Lady Gaga.

Appearing ageless, Jagger delivered the classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want," as his fellow Stones played from their respective homes, including a grinning Charlie Watts on the air drums.

Agence France-Presse

DOH calls on public to stop sharing Razorback drummer suicide video

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) appealed to the public on Thursday to stop sharing Razorback drummer Brian Velasco’s suicide video.

“We are aware of the video going around the internet of his suicidal act. We request for the public to stop sharing this tragic video and respect the family who are still grieving and in pain due to this unfortunate event,” DOH said in a statement.


DOH also extended its condolences to the family and friends of Velasco: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Brian Velasco who passed away Wednesday morning, January 16, in an apparent suicide.”

DOH noted that “depression is a serious health condition” hence the need to start talking about it “to end the stigma surrounding mental health because when left unattended, it can lead to suicide.”

“In the Philippines, 3.3 million Filipinos suffer from depressive disorders with suicide rates in 2.5 males and 1.7 females per 100,000,” the statement added.

Further, it read: “The World Health Organization reported that 800,000 people die due to suicide every year. It is second leading cause of death in 15 to 29 year olds.”

Persons feeling they need assistance may call Hopeline hotlines 804-HOPE (4673); 0917-558-HOPE (4673); or 2919 (toll-free number for Globe and TM subscribers). /je

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Foo Fighters to show making of album on HBO series

NEW YORK—The Foo Fighters are headed to the small screen.

The rock band said Thursday it will show the making of its new album in a series on HBO. The series will feature the group recording one song in eight cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

The show and album will premiere in the fall.

Bandleader Dave Grohl will direct the series. He received critical acclaim last year for his directorial debut, the music documentary “Sound City.”

The Foo Fighters recorded tracks for its eighth album in Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Seattle; New Orleans; and Washington, D.C. A news release says the songs will include “local legends.”

The new album is the follow-up to 2011′s “Wasting Light,” which won five Grammys in 2012, including best rock album.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Razorback on their 23rd anniversary event

Razorback are Pinoy rock icons! There is no doubt about that. Razorback have been around so long that some of their fans are even young teens whose parents have been fans of the band since the 90′s. Having already spanned at least two generations of fans and outlasted most of their contemporaries, Razorback and their music have certainly stood the test of time.

Who hasn’t heard of Razorback? Even when I was barely in my teens, I already knew about the band. You could say that they are indeed the other side of the 90′s Pinoy rock—that is, hard rock to classic rock. Razorback have been among the bands I had wanted to interview for the longest time. But I knew that when that opportunity came, it had to be for a most special event. And what could be more timely than their 23rd anniversary and having had the privilege of spending time with them that night before their performance which was held on the 26th of October at Live Vibe Café.


Below is my in-depth interview with the band members of Razorback:
MY FIRST QUESTION: Kevin, looking back at the early days of Razorback, when did you realize or get a strong feeling that your band is going to be part of something big and that a bright future ahead was just around the corner for Razorback ?

(KEVIN ROY): Wow! .. uhmm. When did I know that? You know, I still don’t know it.. It’s a case to case, day to day basis, since it’s survival! Which is really basically we enjoy what we do.. like planning five years ahead–what are we going to do ? It’s nothing.. It’s just everyday we just come up with a song, work together on it. When I really, really realized I was doing something great? Probably the third album na, or even the fourth!  And wala eh! Tuloy lang, basta tuloy-tuloy lang…we can’t stop. Because, or I guess.. we just have try to remain current ! So yun, yun..

MY SECOND QUESTION: Kevin, do you remember the very first Razorback song that got radio airplay and what was your own reaction hearing it yourself the first time on the airwaves ?

(KEVIN ROY): F***! The first time, I was so, so proud, man ! Because that’s me, I am on the radio! Siempre pagka na print na yung kanta..di ba ! Sa LA 105 yun ! Pag na print na yung kanta…eh, it’s… yours,  immortalized ! You know.. it’s on file. It’s a record! And it’s crazy, I was seventeen, eighteen at the time ….and I didn’t know I was going to be..  I was a kid, man! Really! I was a kid.. and just like all kids we just wanted to have fun ! Sina Tirso.. yon, ano…they had more of… the vision of where we were headed as we got a little older !

,
MY THIRD QUESTION: Anyone can answer this question. Was there a distinct advantage of starting out the band in the 90′s in terms of the musical influences you had back then against the current crop of mainstream artists?

(LOUIE TALAN): Well.. I think one advantage we had back then in the 90′s…is we had a lot of “kuyas” who were musical older brothers who we were exposed to and they were very accommodating to us. They’d let us jam ! That is something that not many kids can probably experience today. (KEVIN ROY): Learn to jam ! Like free jam, di ba! (LOUIE TALAN): Yeah, yeah, di ba ? (KEVIN ROY): That is right ! (LOUIE TALAN): Because there are so many bands now and the scene is such na… it seems to be… there are “pockets” and you know, the kinds of musicians that hang out in a certain joint are pretty much all the same! Unlike before, we played in this bar. And on the other nights of the week, we had older musicians playing there. So we got the chance to learn from them. You know what I mean. (KEVIN ROY): Diversity! (LOUIE TALAN): Yeah. There was external influence also. That was one advantage! Other than the fact that there were not that many bands back in the 90′s.. at least when we started. I think we started just before the whole boom of Pinoy rock bands in the 90′s. So our timing was good. We already had a stable gig before everything exploded. So it was just a matter of finally getting a record done and then proceeding from there. (TIRSO RIPOLL): Yeah.. it’s different but I wouldn’t say it was an advantage. In fact, we were at a disadvantage because the scene back then was very ran by the record companies and they pretty much ran everything and they had people and a lot of things that ran in place for them and they didn’t like people like us who came in doing our own thing. And that didn’t work for them. So it didn’t work for us. It worked against us ! Uhmm.. today everything is more free and minds are more open. People are more accepting of many different varied styles of music. When we came in and we rocked with our c**** out, a lot of people had problems with that. And our record company had a lot of problems with that and we had to fight them for it. But that is the way we rolled, b**** ! We fought every f****** record company. We fought every producer. Our first album had seven f****** sound engineers, three producers. We fought with everyone because people wanted to tell us what to do. And we said, f*** you! But the point was… now, you can do what you like. But back then, they wanted you to do things they thought you should be doing ! And we said, f*** off! That is not going to happen! (KEVIN ROY): Yeah, we don’t want to compromise. (TIRSO RIPOLL): And that was the way we always were and will be, my friend !

MY FOURTH QUESTION: Anyone can answer this question. Razorback have performed in practically every known bar in the country from the 90′s until the present day. I am sure there have been some wild moments that the members of the band have witnessed in some of these famous venues. What was the wildest and probably the most “insane” things that you have seen happen during your performance ?

(KEVIN ROY):  Hahaha.. My wife f****** hammering my manager’s head, pare ! Hahaha… My wife hammering my manager’s head ! Hahaha….Aahhh! I don’t know, man… I don’t know, man.. But p*** there was the lola with the f******, di ba: ”Head bang! Ayoko niyan! Ayoko love song ! Gusto ko head bang ! Gusto ko ganyan!” (LOUIE TALAN): You know, we get our share of funny characters that come ! There are a lot of psychos out there and uhmm.. the thing is, we have gotten used to it! So it doesn’t stick out anymore. (KEVIN ROY): We are used to the loonies! So, there is normalcy there.  (TIRSO RIPOLL): Dude, that would have to be when we landed our second record deal with Sony Music which was a great thing for us! Jason Newsted was in town promoting the Metallica Album. So Jason Newsted was in town to promote ‘LOAD’ and it was  Sunday night and they had it in Club Dredd. Santana had played that same night. It was a Sunday and I was at the record radio station, as it is. I was hanging out with Santana, “the” Carlos Santana. He’s very nice man ! And after that, I went over to Club Dredd. Jason Newsted was jamming, I walked in. I grabbed a post outside of Club Dredd and I got electrocuted ! Like badly electrocuted and I stumbled into the bar and sat down beside some guy. Some guy gave me his seat at the bar to help me. And it turned out to be Wally Champsay, who was the managing director of Sony Music. Because Wolfgang was out there jamming with him ! And he was all concerned like “Are you okay, dude?” He bought me a drink to just calm my nerves ! And uhmm… then we got to talking and then he called me, and said “You know, what why don’t you come to my office on Monday”, and then we signed the deals with Sony shortly after that ! That’s how it all happened ! So, it’s all done and that is probably the most awesome thing that at least you can put out because there would be too many incriminating things ! But I really loved that guy ! Wally Champsay was one of the best things that ever happened to the Philippine music industry !


Razorback, rocking it out onstage.

MY FIFTH QUESTION: Anyone can answer this question. We all know the advantages of social media and how social media have become instrumental and a “big help” for new bands now to get their music across to various music aficionados. If Facebook and Twitter were already around in the 90′s, how do you think these would have affected the direction of Razorback’s career back then?

(KEVIN ROY): Considering that none of us are mahilig maglagay ng music like online and stuff like that.. to take care of the page, or what not. Hala.. Patay ! Lugi tayo! We might find ourselves in a disadvantage. That’s me.. (LOUIE TALAN): I think Facebook and Twitter alone would not make much of a difference. It helps but what really helps is stuff like YouTube where people can really see you. Uhm.. I mean it is a lot more interesting than just reading a page and hearing a band talk about themselves then. (MANUEL LEGARDA): It would be nice !

(TIRSO RIPOLL): Well, this anniversary would have been at Madison Square Garden if that was the case, hahaha… No, social media is excellent and clearly, things would be multiplied by a thousand because that’s what it is. (KEVIN ROY): The advancements made every year are amazing ! (TIRSO RIPOLL): That kind of connection and direct connection with your fans with the people who like your music and are into what you are doing is priceless and we appreciate every single person that comes to our show, and every other person that “liked” us on Facebook. We love them and you know, to be around this long and to have people still think that what you are doing is cool, it’s a big thing for us. It’s nice and it’s important !

MY SIXTH QUESTION: This question is directed to every member. What is your favorite Razorback song ? You may elaborate why.

(TIRSO RIPOLL): F***! That’s like asking who is my favorite kid! Haha.. That’s hard, man.. But I’ll tell you what is currently my favorite song, at this very moment. But it would change tomorrow if you would ask me the same question tomorrow. Uhmm.. only because we played it really well last night I am going to say “Ikot ng Mundo” today. It is really awesome and it is a fun song to play. Because when we played that song… in 1997? (KEVIN ROY): Before that pa ! (TIRSO RIPOLL): We recorded that in 1996 and we wrote and recorded that song at that year, we were trying to do something.. We did the best we could do at the time but we play that song today the way it should have been played and the way we would have wanted it to be played back then and it is nice to come back every so often and to hear that song when you get it right! And,  f*** yeah, man! That right there was a spiritual moment ! And that’s a good song that rocks ! (LOUIE TALAN): Uhmm.. Probably, “Necromantic” because that was the hardest to “birth”, I have to say. And it was the subject of several arguments. It is not for everyone. But it is a very a good song. (KEVIN ROY): I don’t know, man. It flips, man! They are mostly from the ‘Black’.. I like “Nakaturo..”, “Puwerto”, the trippy stuff ! “Mana..” maybe.. I don’t know. (BRIAN VELASCO): I like “Mana..”, “Wakasan” and “Inflattable Love Thing”. Yup, that’s it, man! (MANUEL LEGARDA): Lately, I have been listening to “Fathers Day” from the last album.


MY SEVENTH QUESTION: Kevin, If you could relive any single moment or event in the illustrious career of Razorback, what would that be?

(KEVIN ROY): Event? I can’t single one event out. But ah.. if asked if I’d do it again? Everything!

The good and the bad. I’d do everything… all over again! And hopefully, do it properly. You know?
But I cannot single one event out, really. But I’d do everything again. Yup, the good and the bad.

MY EIGHTH QUESTION: This question is directed to every member. If you could choose to perform with any foreign band onstage from any decade–whether this band is still active or not–what band would that be and what role would you want to have, or would have wanted, with that chosen band of yours?





(KEVIN ROY): F*** man ! Led Zeppelin, If I want a really interesting jamming and everything else, Zeppelin it’s got to be, man ! My God, Wow! (BRIAN VELASCO): I would like to be Katy Perry’s boyfriend ! (KEVIN ROY): Russell Brand, or the new one ? Mayer? (BRIAN VELASCO): No, I mean, me ! Yeah, but Led Zeppelin would also be for me. (KEVIN ROY): Wow! But wow… That’s a tough.. , p****** ***,  F***! But to play alongside..? F*** , Beatles ! But you know, what if we would had lived in the 70′s? We would have f******* rocked, dude ! (MANUEL LEGARDA): Or we may even have been influenced by Jefferson Airplane or something like that. Haha.

MY NINTH QUESTION: This question is directed to everyone. If you could change one thing now in the local scene, what would that be?

(MANUEL LEGARDA): I think going back to what Louie said about the new guys being able to jam, being able to improvise. I think more of the bands now are parang… just verse-chorus-verse-chorus. That’s all… but I could be completely wrong. But from what I have seen and I have heard, parang.. everybody’s fixed. Its “fixed”. Walang improvisation. (LOUIE TALAN): I would change standards. I would like to see.. Honestly. I think musicians should get paid more. Because if musicians should get paid more, that they could do it without worrying about where they are going to get their next meal. And they could further their craft; But along with they have to..  we all have to raise our standards as well. So that it is going to be worth to the paying public. (BRIAN VELASCO): Uhmm.. how do you guys feel about production ? Di ba? As much as possible, I would like–and it would be better–if shows were minimized to maybe a maximum of 3 bands per night. And not 10 or 15 bands per night ! You know, like with what’s happening with these productions at Saguijo, or what not. But that way, you could really appreciate the band playing more. And that way, these young bands would actually learn and hone their craft better because they would be able to play longer. But these days kasi, I noticed parang it’s a little funny seeing a 21-year old kid exhaust himself after what ? Playing three song, di ba? Three songs later and they’re exhausted already ?! When our guitar player can even play a 2-hour set. Di ba ? I mean, these days, kids are tired just after three songs. So you know, if we would minimize these gigs instead of having 20 bands per night. Maybe just a maximum of just three would be nice ! (KEVIN ROY): Ako, the change would be radio… Bring back rock radio, man ! Any with a decent rock program, Or, you know what? Just good music, man.. that leans towards the rock side ! Hindi naman purist ang rock. Maraming forms yun. Just have a nice program, s*** !  Because we sorely miss that and we need it. And create a time machine, p*** !  Whoever invented the inter-web… ”Assassinate” him before it happens! Haha.. Para patay na ang piracy pero hindi may kopyahan pa rin, di ba ? Anyway, there…

MY TENTH QUESTION: I have always viewed Razorback and Wolfgang to be almost like brothers–and not only as associated acts that both rose to the prominence in the 90′s–but also that members for both iconic bands are like one big happy family of musicians who share a love for good ol’ rock and roll, whether you are performing together in the same event or you are featuring members from the other band to perform with you onstage. This question is directed to Kevin and Manuel . Can you identify that special and unique bond that binds Razorback and Wolfgang, so much so that even that each of the band has its own identity and following, there exists a friendly camaraderie between both bands, rather than an antagonistic rivalry towards the other, as so often happens in the industry?

(KEVIN ROY): That’s really not true because Tirso and Basti want to f******* kill each other right now, pare ! Nah.. i’m just kidding ! Haha.. Anyway, uhm.. what is it, man? I don’t know. We just seem to get along and we treat each other as brothers, As good friends. Louie was my best man in my wedding.. s*** . Tirso is like godfather to my daughter. And my daughter was the peace offering to Tirso. We became really cool after that as we always were. (LOUIE TALAN): I would like to compare it to an MMA training camp that has different fighters that come out, di ba! But they are all from the same camp and that bond is just there already. (MANUEL LEGARDA): You have little fights and discussions but the band came together for a reason. (KEVIN ROY): Which brings you closer, all those experiences and all those shared experiences just brings us closer. Like when we tour Wolf and Razor.. we will be together. And minsan, roommate ko si Basti. Or ka-roommate ko si Mon or a roadie. Ganyan, Iba-iba.  We mix it up, man !

(LOUIE TALAN): Minsan ka roommate ko yung masahista ng hotel! Haha.. (KEVIN ROY): Haha.. Si Bombay yun ! My name is Bomby Araneta ! Haha..

MY ELEVENTH QUESTION: Kevin, how different are music goers now when compared to the 90′s in terms of how they react to your music ? During your performances, are they more responsive and expressive towards you and your music ?
(KEVIN ROY): The crowd… uhmm.. I like nowadays. Because they are discerning. They sit down, they listen, and enjoy their beers. Either that, or our crowd is old ! haha.. It’s not that people need to be jumping around or be in mosh pits. That is so 90′s, man. We are done with it ! It’s still cool, though, and fine. So, uhmm..  Yeah. Mosh pits are so 90′s, I would have to say. And uhm… tama na ! Pero, I prefer this crowd because they sit down, drink, and because that is the way I am when I watch a show. Enjoy and sit down. Pag masarap, tumayo na lang. And enjoy !

MY TWELFTH QUESTION: Razorback are icons of Pinoy rock and one of the longest lasting and successful bands we have in the country. What has kept Razorback going strong all these years ? This is for everyone to answer.
(MANUEL LEGARDA): Uhmm… I just think what has kept us going is the desire to record and to play music that we all collectively enjoy. You know, when we record jams and when we do stuff in the studio, there is always something there that makes me want to play more and record more with these guys ! For me, that’s it. The music. Plus, its a lot of fun hanging out with these guys !

(TIRSO RIPOLL): Uhmm.. What has kept us going strong… all these years ? You know the standard answer would be.. the band that showers together, stays together ! And that’s true, man.. I love these fucking guys ! I like them ! We have a good time. You know, just f***** rock it out and have a good time! And when you have a good time, it is like love!

(LOUIE TALAN): One strong motivation for me is the opportunity to get out, you know. To get out of Manila and tour and do gigs outside of the country because it is always a great experience. You always learn something and it is always nice to come up with new stuff, take it around, and see how they would react to it. And it would be hard to find a better bunch of people to do that with.


Razorback, performing their hits with passion.

(KEVIN ROY): I think Louie pretty much said it. I guess we have to thank all our fans also who still support us and watch our shows! While all these people who still watch us are egging us on to write new songs and new material, then we will for them! That is pretty much it. The crowd really keeps us going and we live to sing for them. There it is ! (LOUIE TALAN): You know what one thing that I can tell you is like.. for us, us musicians, if we stop playing, we get sick! (KEVIN ROY): I would die, pare ! (LOUIE TALAN): Really, you would feel that something is wrong with the world. Kaya hahanapin mo talaga ! (KEVIN ROY): So, you kind of need it even if it just means being in the studio. (LOUIE TALAN): You know, it is like an internal organ. It is part of our existence ! (BRIAN VELASCO): What has kept us going ? I guess, everything they have said. And the fact that we all just get along and it is not easy maintaining a good relationship with five totally different personalities! You know what I mean. (KEVIN ROY): It is like we are married to each other! Haha.. (BRIAN VELASCO): There you go! (TIRSO RIPOLL): Uhmm.. What has kept us going strong all these years? The standard answer would be: “The band that showers together stays together.” And that’s true, man ! Hahaha.. Why we stay together. I don’t know, man. But I can say I love these f****** guys ! I like them. We have a good time. You know, just f******* rock it out! And  have a good time. And when you are having a good time with these people, it’s like love.

***********
A big thank you to the Manager of Razorback, Patrick Pulumbarit, for allowing this 28-year old music fan to feel like a kid again by giving me the golden opportunity of interviewing “up close and personal” all the members of one of my favorite bands of all time. Thank you too to the Operations Manager, Raymond Recto, of Live Vibe Café located at the A.Venue Mall on Makati Avenue for kindly attending to me. And of course, to all the current members of Razorback: (Kevin Roy, Tirso Ripoll, Manuel Legarda, Louie Talan and Brian Velasco) for continuing to inspire generations and for motivating music aficionados like myself to believe in what they are doing and to not give up the fight in just being able to rock out !

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

A swig with The Script

Midway through Irish band The Script’s concert on Sunday, guitarist Mark Sheehan quipped that one should think twice before bringing an Irishman to an open bar. “He’ll finish the whole thing,” he told the thousands of thrilled fans who filled The Big Dome to the rafters.

As if to prove Sheehan’s point, the alternative rock band’s tall, lanky and charismatic vocalist Danny O’Donoghue hoisted a bottle of beer, and, to much cheering and screaming from the crowd, emptied it with a single swig. Fittingly, he followed the antic with “Nothing”—a forceful song about a man, who, after getting himself drunk, starts calling his ex-girlfriend to confess that he is still in love with her.

Sheehan then cheekily urged the crowd to “do something inappropriate” by dialing ex-lovers’ numbers. O’Donoghue approached one of the girls near the stage, asked for her mobile phone (she gamely obliged), held it to his ear and, tenderly, began singing the song’s first verse to the person on the other end of the line.

Familiar themes

A girl near us, panting between shrieks, unwittingly summed up the spectators’ collective sentiment at that point: “Oh my God!”

As with “Nothing,” relationship problems and a brokenhearted man trying to win his woman back are themes that The Script treads every so often. Their songs deftly mask sentimentality and melancholia with rousing, uplifting and, at times, upbeat melodies. For about two hours, we were treated to just that, and then some.

The gig started almost an hour later than the scheduled  8 p.m., and the excitement at The Big Dome was palpable. Sensing the crowd’s eagerness, O’Donoghue wasted no time hopping off the stage and mingling with his fans as he opened with the anthemic “Good Ol’ Days,” lead-off track from the band’s latest album, “#3.”

Before soldiering to his next song, “We Cry,” O’Donoghue turned his back to the audience, struck a messianic pose with arms outstretched, and basked in the adulation. It didn’t take a lot to have everyone going: A flick of a finger, a wave of an arm or a fist raised in the air was all it took to make the girls swoon.

A feverish guitar player, Sheehan is no slouch, either. After all, the two are ex-members of Mytown, a late ’90s boy band (cheesy dance steps and all), that didn’t quite take off.

Arguably the band’s ultimate breakup song, “Breakeven” elicited a deafening sing-along. So did  “Science and Faith,” prefaced by a swelling passage of percussion from drummer Glen Power. After chatting with the crowd, O’Donoghue began “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”—the band’s 2008 breakout hit—a cappella, and finished it off with a mellow arrangement.

As they performed “Before the Worst,” “For the First Time” and “If You Could See Me Now”—hits culled from their three studio albums, “The Script” (2008), “Science and Faith” (2010) and “#3” (2012)—it was clear why the band became this big. Though hardly groundbreaking, its music works its way into the listeners’ hearts and minds with brisk, semi-rapped verses and radio-friendly choruses packaged in pop-rock, piano-driven sounds with streaks of R&B.

The lyrics are far from sweeping poetry, but very relatable, and could hit a forlorn lover like a speeding bus. From “Breakeven”: “When a heart breaks, no it don’t break even… What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up and you’re OK?”

Sometimes corny

The words can be corny, too, as those in the overtly saccharine “I’m Yours,” which the front-man performed bare-bones: “You wrap your thoughts in works of art / And they’re hanging on the walls of my heart.” But O’Donoghue’s vocals are earnest and his delivery affecting, flourished by a nice falsetto here, a tender vocal run there … that it’s easy to forgive him.

After performing 12 songs, The Script exited the stage prompting the crowd to chant: “We want more!” O’Donoghue reappeared in the lower box section for an encore. He sang “You Won’t Feel a Thing” while wading through the hordes desperate for photo-ops.

Finally back onstage, O’Donoghue championed self-empowerment with “Hall of Fame,” which ended with a burst of confetti and a crescendo of rumbling drums. The three-man band, together with two touring musicians, held and raised their hands, and bid everyone goodbye.

Not movin’

Yet again (as one of their songs goes), the crowd was not movin’. And with a little cheering and coaxing, the band gave in once more and found themselves ending the night the way they started it, singing “Good Ol’ Days.”

An encore after an encore?  It was a first for The Script as far as touring goes, and it took a zealous Easter Sunday crowd for them to do it. On their Twitter account, they posted:

“Tonight was the first time we ever went back on and did another encore after the encore!! Ever!! Thanks for a great show everyone!!!”

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Doc Neeson vows to beat cancer

Angels frontman Doc Neeson has told bandmates he will among the 20 per cent of patients who beat a form of aggressive brain tumour which resulted in him being hospitalised and all tour dates being cancelled.


Neeson, who turned 66 on January 4, was admitted to hospital shortly before Christmas complaining of pins and needles. He was immediately placed on a programme of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

His plight has ended plans for him to front a second version of the iconic Australian pub-rock band, which would tour in competition with a line-up fronted by former Screaming Jets singer David Gleeson.

Drummer Buzz Bidstrup told News Limited of the diagnosis: ”On a scale of one to four it’s a four. But he’s incredibly stoic and accepting; he’s in great spirits.

”Doc’s looking at it as he’s one of the 20 per cent that can make it, which is the only attitude you can have.”

Neeson was in February to tour with a version of The Angels, best known for songs such as Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, Marseilles and Face The Day, which includes former members who had never all played together before.

That tour has now been cancelled while the version including Rick and John Brewster will press on with their own plans in February. Bidstrup said he hoped Neeson’s illness would end the feuding.

John Brewster told AAP:  ”All we can hope is Doc makes a complete recovery and nothing else matters.
Together we’ve done some incredibly hard yards and we formed a very long-term association. Whether we’ve seen things the same ways or not in the last few years is completely irrelevant to what’s going on right now.”

Bassist Chris Bailey, who is in Brewster’s Angels, has recently battled jaw cancer. Neeson has been in constant pain since a 1999 car accident.

Bidstrup told The Australian: “It’s very intense treatment but once he’s done the first lot of chemo he’ll know how he’s travelling and then he’s got another long road after that. But there is a period of time in between and if he’s feeling good and wants to play then we’ll be there with him.”

– Steve Mascord

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Lynyrd Skynyrd had a Good Teacher

Lynyrd Skynyrd have released a lyric video for Good Teacher, taken from recent album Last Of A Dyin’ Breed. View it below.


The band – who played an exclusive 30-minute set to invited guests at Classic Rock’s eighth annual Roll Of Honour awards night last month – got their name from a teacher called Leonard Skinner.

But given the lyrics in the song: “He showed me the ropes, good whisky and smoke, and how to tell a dirty joke” they’re probably not talking about Mr Skinner.

source: classicrockmagazine.com

KISS and Motley Crue Announce 'The Tour'

KISS and Mötley Crüe gathered today at L.A.'s Roosevelt Hotel to announce "The Tour," a joint summer package that kicks off July 20th in Bristow, Virginia and runs through September 23rd in Hartford, Connecticut. Each band will play about 90 minutes and KISS will close every night.

Calling it "The Tour" is a bold proclamation. But after more than 60 combined years on the road, both bands feel comfortable with living up to that title. "You will scream your head off until it’s no longer on your shoulder and then you’ll feel great. You’ll be drenched, exhausted, and completely satisfied without ever having anyone touch your schmekel," Gene Simmons told Rolling Stone.

KISS' Paul Stanley has loftier goals though, namely surpassing the band's reputation as one of the great live acts. "What we’re hoping for, and certainly I am, is whatever people’s expectations are, we blow them out of the water," Stanley told Rolling Stone. "I want people to hope for the legend that they’ve heard about and find out it’s greater than that. I think that the longer we’re around the more invincible we become."

This marks the first time the two acts have shared the same stage since Crüe opened five dates for KISS on 1982, 30 years ago. And while Crüe have since become hard rock icons in their own right, they are still the same KISS fans as back then. In a joint conversation with RS, Crue drummer Tommy Lee turned to KISS drummer Eric Singer and asked, "Are you guys gonna play 'Firehouse'?'" When Singer responded yeah cause Simmons was gonna blow fire, Lee's inner child started air drumming. "I fucking love that song," he said, tapping his hands excitedly.

The admiration and respect are mutual. "I'm a big Mötley Crue fan," Singer said. "I've always been a fan of Tommy's and a fan of the band, so I think it's really cool."

A double bill of KISS and Mötley Crüe promises to be over the top, "Elvis on steroids," it was called in the press conference. "I want people to leave and go, so this is what rock & roll is," Stanley said. "It’s dangerous, it’s loose, it’s not perfect. So whatever pop artist you see dancing around on a stage lip synching, that’s a con game and that’s not a live concert. If you want karaoke, go to a karaoke bar."

Simmons fired shots at pop singers in the press conference, saying, "We're sick and tired of girls getting up there with dancers and karaoke tapes in back of them. No fake bullshit. Leave that to the Rihanna, Smhianna and anyone who ends their name with an 'A.'"

Crüe's Nikki Sixx didn't disagree, but took the more positive route, hoping it inspires young fans to see two bands who've persevered in both up and down times. "What I would like to see people take away from it is that if you actually practice your instrument and practice writing songs and put a hundred percent into your show and every aspect of it, from your clothes to your lyrics, if your singers sing, then this is what happens – you have a long career and you get to go out and do the real deal," he told us. "It’s real rock & roll."

Lee suggested those youngsters seeing both bands for the first time will be speechless. "They're gonna be tripping, for somebody who hasn't seen either band," he said. "They're gonna be walking out of there flipped out. I would."

It was the always quotable Simmons though who summed up what people can expect from a night with Mötley Crüe and KISS. "Come out, we’ll blow shit up, go home and fuck your girlfriend, that’s it," he said. That's exactly what we'd hope for.

source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kiss-and-motley-crue-announce-the-tour-20120321

How Karl Roy almost joined Razorback

Sometime in 1992, Jose Mari Cuervo left Razorback as their second lead singer. The band was in limbo and had a very uncertain future. Karl Roy was the lead singer of Advent Call at the time. I’m not sure who brought up the idea but Miguel Ortigas, David Aguirre and myself made it our mission to try and hijack Karl from Advent Call. Sounds sinister? Maybe. But, the mere idea of Karl Roy fronting Razorback made our heartbeats race and our imaginations run amuck. We had to give it a try.

We were in the residence of the guitarist of Watawat (I forget his name), Freddie Aguilar’s back-up band. My memory is foggy regarding Louie Talan and Tirso Rippol being present. After a few beers, we brought up the idea to Karl. His initial reaction was that of enthusiasm and he got excited at the prospect of fronting the hardest rock band in Manila at the time. But, just as he was getting enamored by the idea, he declined the offer. He said he couldn’t leave Advent Call and his loyalty lay with them. All night, we tried our “darndest” to convince him to join Razorback and conquer the f***ing world. We told him that we felt that he was getting stuck in a cover band and how awesome it would be to write music with him. And all night, he kept his loyalty to his band and declined the offer. We finally relented and never bothered him again about it.

Razorback eventually hired Karl’s younger brother Kevin and the rest is, well, history. We never treated Karl negatively for declining the offer. I personally admired his display of loyalty. You always want a bandmate with that kind of integrity. Someone who sticks with you even when the sh*t hits the fan. Karl eventually left Advent Call and the rest, is again, history. I never got close to Karl as others have so I hope this story warms his close friends’ hearts for I am sure he has showed this kind of trait to all of them.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Karl: The spirit of Pinoy rock

MANILA, Philippines - It would seem to most people that when forming a rock band, playing any part besides the frontman would be getting the short end of the stick and the late, great Karl Roy appeared to be proof of that. Though he shared the stage with great musicians like Ian Umali, Harley Alarcon, Ira Cruz, Nathan Azracon, and at one point, the legendary Louie Talan, no one can deny that as he jumped around like a maniac, all the attention was on him. It was his infectious energy and charisma that drew a crowd and made them dance — a gift that not many vocalists have been given. That’s what separates real rock stars from mere frontmen who at most, can get a crowd to sing and pump their fists in the air. But Karl? He got people to drop their inhibitions and groove the way he did — at the expense of their dignity, yes, but with Karl leading them, they just can’t be bothered to give a flying f***.

Take a look around. Not another frontman like Karl has arrived since and now, he’s left a gaping hole in the music scene. It’s hard to believe that he’s gone, especially when he was so alive when we was still here, despite being paralyzed on his right side after a stroke. In his last major interview, with Rogue in 2008, he promised his fans he would come back. That’s alright, Karl. Even the toughest rock stars have to take a break at some point. — Cai Subijano

“Dad was truly amazing. He was such a good father to me. Every night Dad would text me ‘Good night’ and random quotes. It’s still too surreal. I can’t believe he’s gone. There are still so many things I wanted to do with my dad. He was always there for me and he always will be — it’s just different this time. I always knew he wanted to be with me every day, and now he is. I love you, Dad.” —Arianna Roy, daughter


“As a kid, I always thought it was so damn cool being related to Karl. Back then it was because he was the rock star. But today, the relationship is something to be proud of. He shaped the music scene. And the music that he made is something we can all take pride in as Filipinos.” — Sansan, niece

“If I ever see your face again, I’ll ask you why so soon. And in your grand debut from death reborn again to life, I pray.

I hate to see you haunting or in your private hell.

I hope you make it.

This prayer’s for you.” — Prayer by Kapatid, originally written for deceased guitarist Chico Molina

In truth, I did not like Karl Roy very much when I was a child. He was relentless in his teasing and I would always end up red-faced and growling, “Stop it!” He did, however, give me the most precious gift when I was older: He would take me to gigs, even to those where he was a spectator and not a performer. He unknowingly changed my life forever when he introduced me to jazz music. He also got me my first tattoo, although I’m fairly certain that my mom disapproved of that kind of “support' from him. More than anything, it’s the overwhelming support from others that tells us how he lived his life." —Krystal Roy, sister


“The moment I saw Karl strut his stuff with Advent Call in Club Dredd in 1990, I knew he was going to be big. Onstage and off he was a photographer’s delight. His moves and ink made sure of that. My camera will miss him.” — Eddie Boy Escudero, photographer

“Karl was an inspiration. Seeing Karl at 13 years old made me want to be him. Karl was The Man. I so wanted to be him. He asked me to be myself… and I did. I learned my rasp from him. I learned some moves from him, to his dismay.” — Kevin Roy, brother and lead vocalist of Razorback

source: philstar.com

No Rolling Stones tour despite 50th anniversary

NEW YORK — The Rolling Stones are staying put this year, Rolling Stone reported Wednesday, leaving fans to look forward instead to a major documentary marking the rock band’s 50th anniversary.

“Basically, we’re just not ready” for a fresh concert tour, guitarist Keith Richards told the pop culture magazine, adding that 2013 was the group’s “more realistic” target for hitting the road.

Quoting other, unidentified sources, Rolling Stone cited worries about Richards’ health in the wake of a head injury he sustained in Fiji in 2006 as one reason for the band to stay close to home.

“They don’t want to do a full tour,” a concert industry source told the biweekly magazine. “They don’t want to travel, and there are concerns about Keith’s health.”

On their website, the Stones announced Wednesday the upcoming release of “a groundbreaking and eye-opening documentary,” directed by Brett Morgen, covering the history of the band from its founding in London in 1962 to today.

“The film will be showcased in September as part of the Rolling Stones 50th anniversary celebrations,” said the website, without elaboration.

Rolling Stone said the Stones reassembled in a London studio in December to play together for the first time since their Bigger Bang tour ended in 2007—with bassist Bill Wyman sitting in for the first time since he quit in 1992.

“We played a lot of blues and outtakes of ‘Some Girls’ and things like that,” it quoted lead singer Mick Jagger as saying. “It went very well.”

Whether Wyman would join them on the road in 2013 was still not resolved.

“I think he’s up for it,” Richards said. “We talked about it.”

source: japantoday.com

Doobie Brothers drummer Michael Hossack dies at 65

LOS ANGELES - Michael Hossack, whose drumming underpinned a raft of hits for the Doobie Brothers, has died at the age of 65, the chart-topping California rock band said Tuesday.

"His family was by his side" when Hossack passed away Monday in Dubois, Wyoming, it said on its website (www.doobiebros.com). "Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loved ones. We will miss him greatly."

Hossack took up drumming at age 12 with a marching band, served in the US navy during the Vietnam War, then returned to his native New Jersey where he initially planned to go into law enforcement.

Joining a band from California led him to relocate to the West Coast where he was soon recruited into the Doobie Brothers, playing on such hits as "Listen to the Music," "Rockin' Down The Highway" and "Jesus Is Just Alright."

He left the group in 1973, formed his own band and invested in a North Hollywood recording studio, but returned to the Doobie Brothers in 1987 when it reunited for a series of benefit concerts for Vietnam veterans.

Two years ago, ill health forced Hossack to stop touring with Doobie Brothers, which this summer will be co-headlining a series of concerts with fellow 1970s rockers Chicago. — AFP

article source: gmanetwork.com

Razorback - Three Minutes of Glory

Famous legendary Filipino Rock band RAZORBACK will be celebrating their 21st anniversary and will be launching their 5th album called "Three Minutes of Glory" this Friday, October 28, 2011, at the Music Museum in Greenhills San Juan.



Gates will be open at 8pm
Ticket Price is Php500 (Free seating).



RAZORBACK album and T-shirt will be available during the night for only Php300








RAZORBACK Band Members
Kevin Roy -Vocals
Tirso Ripoll -Guitars
Manuel Legarda -Guitars
Louie Talan -Bass
Brian Velasco -Drums

Google Doodle Pays Tribute To Freddie Mercury

Search Giant Google pays tribute to Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury on his 65th birthday with a special animated music video Doodle. Clicking the play button shows an animated music video of "Don’t Stop Me Now", one of Queen’s hit song.

Freddie Mercury a British musician, singer and songwriter and popularly known as the lead singer of the rock band Queen. He was born Farrokh Bulsara on the 5th of September, 1946 in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

,