Since Chris Cornell’s unexpected passing last week, there has been a slew of bands paying tribute to him during their shows. I personally am still in shock over it and have been listening to Chris’s bands non stop.
Check out some of these tributes:
Living Colour- Blow Up The Outside World:
Live- I Am The Highway:
Stone Sour- Outshined:
The Pretty Reckless- Like A Stone:
I’m in absolute shock over the news of Chris Cornell. It’s mind boggling to think that he is gone. Chris had such a profound impact on rock music with his voice, lyrics, and songwriting. I would even put Chris on the list of greatest singers ever. I remember the first time I heard Soundgarden way back when I was a little kid around 7 or 8 and “Outshined” came on. I was mesmerized by it. My mom was really into it and she’s the one that went out and bought Bad Motor Finger. From that point, I was hooked on Soundgarden. I spent many a night when I was young listening to music and studying the lyrics of my favorites. Chris Cornell had such a poetic touch to his words. My personal favorite Soundgarden album is Down On The Upside. There is something about that album that really hits home. I can’t tell you what, but, there is something really magical about that record.
When I heard that Chris had joined forces with the remaining members of Rage Against The Machine, I was beyond excited. Then I heard “Cochise” and was instantly sold. Audioslave became such a great vehicle for Chris to expand his already poetic sensibilities, and share a different side of himself. It wasn’t until the bands last album Revelations, that Audioslave truly found their sound but, Chris really went for it lyrically and vocally on that album. Check out the songs “Wide Awake” and “Moth” and you’ll hear what I mean.
I feel lucky to have seen Chris perform 4 times over the years. Twice with Audioslave, once solo, and once with Soundgarden when they toured with Nine Inch Nails a few years ago. Chris was always great live. His presence on stage was gripping and captivating. I’ve had this thought for a while that, if Robert Plant really didn’t want to be a part of doing shows with Led Zeppelin that, they should get Chris Cornell to fill the spot. If you think about it, you know that would be something great and amazing.
Here’s to all the great music and words Chris left us. His legacy is intact with great songs and performances. I feel for his children. I hope at some point they can come to terms with this loss.
Here are a few of my favorite songs Chris has been a part of.
Soundgarden-
Burden In My Hand:
Fell On Black Days:
4th Of July:
Outshined:
Audioslave-
Cochise:
Wide Awake:
Moth:
Chris Solo-
Temple Of The Dog-
Say Hello To Heaven:
The other night, I couldn’t sleep and as I was flipping through the channels, I saw Airheads was just starting. It’s really fun to go back and watch movies you saw years ago, and see how much things have changed or haven’t. Airheads is still a fun movie, especially the scenes involving Lemmy. As I was watching, I realized how cool the soundtrack is. Featuring songs from Motorhead, White Zombie, Prong, Primus, Ramones and Anthrax, the soundtrack to Airheads is flush with 90’s rock and metal. And who can forget the name of the band… THE LONE RANGERS… “wait a minute, you can’t pluralize The Lone Ranger.”
Airheads- Soundtrack:
One of my favorite new bands, He Whose Ox Is Gored, just released their video for their song “Paralyzer.” This track was recorded by Jack Endino (Nirvana, High On Fire) at Avast Recording Studio as part of Converse Rubber Tracks Seattle Series.
He Whose Ox Is Gored is a tremendous band, and they write great songs. Check them out when they come through your town (tour dates below).
He Whose Ox Is Gored- Paralyzer:
Tour Dates:
Heavy music comes in all shapes, sounds and vibes. Sometimes the band is just a full on gutteral screaming band that just thrashes about with their music. Other heavier bands incorporate brutality and riffs that make for some pretty intense tunes. And then you have heavy bands that can be “heavy” and “brutal” but still have a sense of melody that doesn’t compromise their intention to be heavy. Which brings me to Westfield Massacre. These guys have made music that combines heavy guitars along with thumping bass and groovy drums and soaring vocals that range from aggressive screams and melodic harmonies.
Led by the ever busy Tommy Vext on vocals, Westfield Massacre is a band for today’s heavy metal/rock circles. The rest of the band which includes Ira Black (Guitar),
Stephen Brewer (Guitar), Erik Tisinger (Bass), and Dio Britto (Drums), add their own personal flairs to writing groove laden and hook filled songs, that doesn’t come across as cheesy or “commercial.”
Westfield Massacre are about to release their second full length album. The first single “Only The Dead” is a great step forward for the band not just as writers but, as players as well. You can tell they were inspired to step up their game on the new album.
Westfield Massacre- Only The Dead:
Westfield Massacre- Self Titled Debut:
Mutoid Man have a new album coming out June 2nd and I couldn’t be more stoked. I’ve long been a fan of Cave In and Converge, so the idea of Stephen Brodsky (of Cave In) and Ben Koller (of Converge) making a second full length album is music to my ears. Their first EP Helium Head was a great introduction and exactly what you thought the music would sound like. Then on their debut full length, Bleeder, they stepped it up about 10 notches and delivered a very ass kicking record. The two new songs from their upcoming album War Moans, are blistering and full of intensity. This is one band that you should be playing with the volume turned all the way up.
Check out what Mutoid Man has to offer on their upcoming new album!
Mutoid Man- Kiss Of Death:
Mutoid Man- Melt Your Mind:
Mutoid Man Tour Dates with Special Guest Helms Alee:
06/04 Boston, MA – Great Scott
06/06 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus
06/07 Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
06/08 Detroit, MI – El Club
06/09 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
06/10 Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle Brewing
06/12 Dallas, TX – Curtain Club
06/13 Austin, TX – Barracuda
06/14 Houston, TX – The Studio at Warehouse Live
06/15 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
06/16 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Hell)
06/17 Orlando, FL – The Social
06/19 Raleigh, NC – King’s
06/20 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts – Black Box
07/06 Seattle, WA – Neumos
07/07 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
07/08 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
07/10 Los Angeles, CA – Resident
07/11 Santa Ana, CA – The Constellation Room
07/12 San Diego, CA – The Casbah
07/13 Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
07/14 Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar
07/15 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
07/16 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
There is a rumor going around that the former singer of the band Dry Cell and X Factor contestant Jeff Gutt is going to be fronting Stone Temple Pilots. Which, if this is true, is going to be a really bad decision. To further cement why I think this would be a horrible choice, here is Jeff’s old band Dry Cell covering STP’s “Heaven and Hot Rods.”
Dry Cell- Heaven and Hot Rods:
We all know that feeling of watching a movie and noticing, wow, the music they picked for this is perfect. I really feel that way about the soundtrack for Dazed and Confused. Every song picked is perfect and really fits the vibe of the film. Having a soundtrack with Black Sabbath, Kiss, Deep Purple, and Lynyrd Skynyrd is tremendous enough. Then you add some other gems like “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith, and the most excellent “Stranglehold” by Lord Douche, Ted Nugent. Ok I’m done rambling on and on. Take a listen to one of the best soundtracks, and then later on go watch the movie!
Dazed and Confused Soundtrack:
The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. Q is upon us and needs help to complete the list. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.
01) Queen
02) Queens Of The Stone Age
03) Queensryche
04) Quicksand
05) Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest)
06)
07)
08)
09)
10)
I’ve long been intrigued by the bands people start after leaving a band they’ve been in for many years. Most of the time the new band is a departure from what they have been doing, and the new project is their way to break away from the musical path they were in with their former band. Which brings me to Bad Wolves. Formed by drummer John Boecklin, formerly of DevilDriver, Bad Wolves expands upon John’s creativity and explores different avenues of heavy, without being predictable and generic.
Joining John in Bad Wolves are vocalist Tommy Vext (Westfield Massacre, ex Divine Heresy), guitarists Doc Coyle (Vagus Nerve, ex God Forbid) and Chris Cain, and on bass Kyle Konkiel. The music they create blurs the lines of heavy rock and metal. Think a bit of Meshuggah with a bit of Sevendust. The first song released “Learn To Live,” is filled with thick riffs, aggression and melody. I personally am looking forward to seeing Bad Wolves live as well as hearing their debut album!
Check out “Learn To Live” below!
Bad Wolves- Learn To Live:
