Anyone who has ever been to see the Smashing Pumpkins live will testify – you never really know what you are going to get. While I have never seen Billy Corgan walk off stage or throw a tantrum at his bandmates, I know this is pretty common.
Last Friday night at Manchester’s O2 Apollo the Smashing Pumpkins returned to the city with a completely new line-up. Of course lifelong drummer Jimmy Chamberlin had now gone (replaced by 20-year-old Mike Byrne), with the other guitar and bass positions being filled by Jeff Schroeder and
Nicole Fiorentino.
They set the tone for their two-hour-plus set by hitting the “new songs” – OK some of these had been released one by one on the band’s website over the past couple of years – but the majority were from the upcoming release Oceania (expected around March).
However, even Billy Corgan realised that the old songs were what many of the hundreds packed into this renowned Manchester venue really wanted to here. As Corgan launched into ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’ following a crowd sing-a-long on ‘Zero’ he admitted to great cheers: “I guess we’ll have to play some songs you know next time”… which he won’t of course.
In a recent interview with American music mag Billboard, Slash, the former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, gave his opinion on the band’s Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame nomination.
He might have been more forthcoming on his plans to get a new frontman in place for hard rock supergroup Velvet Revolver, but did admit it was a “huge honour” to receive this accolade.
He was quoted as saying:
“It’s become very prestigious over the years, and it’s become a huge honor for anybody to be inducted into it, or even nominated, for that matter.”
Slash also failed to rule out a reunion of the original GNR line-up for this prestigious induction when he added:
“Of course, you have those thoughts of how it might work in case it does happen, but with Guns N Roses, there’s really no guessing exactly how it will go. I suppose if it happens, everybody will get some sort of ducks in order.”
When the funk-rockers returned from their 5-year-hiaitus at the end of August with their 10th studio release ‘I’m With You’, the album received a luke-warm reception from critics.
This was possibly not surprising since John Frusciante had once again left the band, leaving Josh Klinghoffer to fill the boots of a guitar legend.
However, despite this underwhelming comeback, one thing is certain: the Red Hot Chili Peppers will always be highly regarded as a live music act.
So the fact that tickets go on sale tomorrow morning (9am) to see the band perform next year at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and the legendary venue that is Knebworth Park near Stevenage means that there is sure to be huge demand.
While it was no surprise to hear that the return of Manchester’s own, The Stone Roses, was met by a clamour for tickets to see them play live together again, personally I thought I’d give it a miss.
I’d always enjoyed listening to their distinctive indie sounds back in the 90s before the likes of Oasis came onto the scene. I put them on the same level as James and The Charlatans in terms of the impact they had on me around that time.
Their music was typical of the sounds I danced like a madman to, in the dingy Manchester indie club affectionately known as 5th Av.
But the years have not been kind to the members of the Roses and Ian Brown’s voice, while distinctive, was never all that great. Still, it was the fact that I was not willing to fork out the £55-plus on a ticket which meant I would pass on the chance to see them play Heaton Park next year.
After a brief tour of the UK, taking in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, the American rockers from Springfield, Massachusetts have revealed that they plan to come back during the first half of 2012.
I managed to get tickets to see the band last Saturday night in Manchester’s intimate Academy 2 venue, where lead vocalist Aaron Lewis prompted cheers from the audience by declaring his intention to return around May time.
While the performance lasted just under an hour and a half, the set was full of classics as well as some of Staind’s more recent heavier offerings. They brought a good mix, blending stuff from their back catalogue with songs from their self-titled 2011-released album. And yes, they played It’s Been A While…
Californian rockers Weezer marked the recent news that Mikey Welsh, their former bassist who was found dead in a Chicago hotel on the eve of their RIOTfest show, by dedicating their performance to his memory and honour.
The shocking news hit the band hard as the 40-year-old, who played with the alternative rock outfit from 1998-2001, had lost “a beautiful, creative, hilarious and sweet friend” as well as a “unique talent”.
Despite the fact that Mikey had only been with the band for a relatively short time, they had remained in contact and he was due to attend the Chicago rock event.
Weezer said in a statement on their website:
“To play the show and play it well tonight is to honor him and his memory. We have a feeling he will be watching.”
Throughout today the tributes have been pouring in across the internet after it was announced that Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of technology giant Apple had died.
The 56-year-old innovator was attributed with all kinds of inventions we take for granted in the digital age. With products such as the iPod and the software iTunes, the music industry has been completely transformed.
The online music market is now big business and a lot of this has been put down to this visionary. So it is fair to say that the man had a hand in all genres of music, making the record labels stand up and take notice of what consumers wanted. This is something which can only be commended.
Whether you are an Apple fanboy or not, the work Steve Jobs did in his lifetime is certainly something to admire.
This is an interesting question seeing as Nevermind has been back on the agenda this week following the relase of a 20th Anniversary Remastered Edition.
Many online music critics have been arguing over whether this, In Utero, Bleach, Incesticide or indeed the live performance on MTV Unplugged in New York.
For me, this album came out at a time when I was just discovering music so I would have to agree with those who put this at the top of the pile. I was also really blown away by the purity and intensity of Kurt’s singing during the unplugged session, so that comes in a close second.
As one of my favourite bands bids farewell to making music together, I am torn between sadness and contentment. It will be strange to think I won’t be going to see them play live again, whether this is in the UK or in the US like I did last time, but at least they have gone out in the way they wanted too.
So many bands these days tend to overstay their welcome and continue playing purely for the cash. You would never find that with a band like REM, with its members all remaining friends after an amicable and unanimous split.
Although drummer Bill Berry had left the group in 1997 (after ordering them to carry on without him), the three-piece of singer Michael Stipe, bassist Mike Mills and guitarist Peter Buck remained strong in their music output.
It is an understatement to say that REM have been such an influence on rock and pop music over their 31 years. They are one of the best bands of all time, let alone one of the greatest American performers.
They left the scene as they have always done, with respect for their fans:
“To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.”
It has been revealed this week that influential rock guitarist Jeff Beck is to be presented with a living legend award by music mag Classic Rock.
The 67-year-old solo artist is rarely in the limelight, but it is only fitting that the man, once voted one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone, has been recognised for his contribution to this music genre.
Even though Jeff had once been in The Yardbirds, and was the founder of the Jeff Beck Group, the musician is happy to keep away from the mainstream, yet still has a dedicated following.
He is to be presented with the award at a ceremony hosted by Gene Simmons of Kiss which is due to take place at London’s Roundhouse on the 9th of November.