Infernus of ex Gorgoroth has listed new members from Obituary and Dissection for new album
December 28, 2007
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Infernus of ex Gorgoroth has listed new members from Obituary and Dissection for new album
He issued the following statement:
“Infernus has now chosen to present his new [GORGOROTH] line-up. This new line-up consists of dedicated and serious musicians with healthy attitudes and personalities, musicians whom he has had the honour of being acquainted with for some years now. Infernus has high hopes and ambitions for his future collaboration with these musicians.
“Tomas Asklund (DISSECTION) and Frank Watkins (OBITUARY) should need no further introductions.
“The work on [the new GORGOROTH album] ‘Quantos Possund ad Satanitatem Trahunt’ will continue according to schedule, and rehearsals will begin in Stockholm in the summer of 2008. In the pre-production stage, Infernus will enlist the help of, among others, Tormentor, who wrote the title tracks of both the ‘Destroyer’ and ‘Incipit Satan’ albums. As with the latest album, and the forthcoming albums, ‘Quantos Possund ad Satanitatem Trahunt’ will be released by Regain Records.
“As previously stated, the legal proceedings [over the rights to the GORGOROTH name] which have already been instituted will continue as planned. Infernus and Regain Records have decided to appeal the decision of the Norwegian Patent Office’s first department [which determined that the rights to the GORGOROTH name belong to bassist King Ov Hell (real name: Tom Cato Visnes) and vocalist Gaahl (real name: Kristian Eivind Espedal)], and this appeal will be independently handled by the second department of the Patent Office. It is important to point out that as long as this matter is under appeal, the current ownership decision is not in any way final. Infernus and Regain are also ready to take the artists formerly known as ‘The Force Gorgoroth’ to court. Seeing as how the first department’s decision is being appealed, and that the trademark ownership is as yet unresolved, it would be prudent of third parties like record labels, booking agencies and online social networking websites to wait the situation out until a final decision has been reached — this to avoid any future litigations from Infernus and Regain Records.”
In Vancouver, WA, a man walked into a convenience store claiming he was Ozzy Osbourne
December 28, 2007
In Vancouver, WA, a man walked into a convenience store claiming he was Ozzy Osbourne. The clerk claimed the man was harassing numerous hours while in the store. This happened Chirstmas Eve.
Take that touring Van Halen, Sammy Hagar added to Forbes lists with $80 million to his pocket
December 28, 2007
Take that touring Van Halen, Sammy Hagar added to Forbes lists with $80 million to his pocket
Sammy Hagar added $80 million to his bank account when he sold 80% of his tequila company Cabo Wabo to Gruppo Campari. The company has an option to buy out the remaining percetnage within 5 years.
Interview with Ace Frehley of KISS fame and thankful he is clean and sober
December 28, 2007
Interview with Ace Frehley of KISS fame and thankful he is clean and sober
HamptonRoads.com: When the members of KISS set out to make solo albums back in 1978, was there a competitive spirit to see whose album would sell best?
Frehley: “Oh, yeah. Before we all left to do our own records we had a big meeting. I might have read it wrong but the feeling I got from Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] was… I remember them saying to me, ‘Hey, if you need any help on your record don’t hesitate to call.’ But I perceived it as a condescending comment, like you’re going to need help or something. Gene had everybody and his brother on his record. I did my whole record on my own with me and Anton Fig on drums. I guess my head was in a good place at that time.”
HamptonRoads.com: What were the best years of KISS in terms of camaraderie?
Frehley: “In the early days there was a lot of camaraderie. I used to room with Gene. We used to stay at Holiday Inns. Paul and Peter [Criss] roomed together. There was a lot of insanity, a lot of girls, a lot of parties, a lot of crazy times. I don’t regret any of it, you know?”
HamptonRoads.com: Where did the smoking guitar idea come from in your KISS days?
Frehley: “I came up with the idea one day when I was up in Canada on the road and bought some smoke bombs. I ended up putting one in the volume control compartment of my Les Paul. I knew there was a canal because the wires had to go to the pickups. I figured if I lit off a smoke bomb in there it would have to seep out from around the pickup, and it worked, but it ended up screwing up the volume and tone control. I did that a couple of times, and then I ended up getting together with an engineer, and we routed out the back of the guitar and put in a metal box, and the smoke came out of the guitar pickup closest to the neck, which was actually a fake pickup.”
HamptonRoads.com: In 1987, when FREHLEY’S COMET debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200 chart, did you feel vindicated?
Frehley: “From the time I had the success with my (first) solo album I knew that I had to leave the group and make my own way. There was a lot more I needed to express both artistically and musically that I couldn’t do in KISS, because everybody wanted to sing lead, everybody wanted the spotlight. It was always a power struggle. I was just noticing some (KISS) videos recently that had been re-edited where I don’t get as much spotlight as I originally had. It’s just stupid stuff like that, you know? My biggest problem was once I got away from them and I got on my own, I was left to my own devices. Being a party animal ended up doing me in for a while.”
HamptonRoads.com: Drugs and alcohol brought your career down, especially during your solo years. How were those days for you?
Frehley: “It was a struggle. Thank God I’m clean and sober today. It’s amazing how much easier things are without all that nonsense. Ironically, back in those days I used to think I needed it to perform. It actually made things a lot harder. But that’s the disease of alcoholism.”
Whitesnake announce new drummer for new album with interview with him
December 28, 2007
Whitesnake announce new drummer for new album with interview with him
The band issued the following statement:
“The new WHITESNAKE album, ‘Good To Be Bad’, scheduled for release in the spring of 2008 will be their 10th studio record and will feature the exceptional percussive talents of Chris Frazier, the latest member to grace the ranks of the band alongside Doug Aldrich on guitar, who also co-wrote and co-produced the album with David Coverdale and Michael McIntyre, Timothy Drury on keyboards, the terribly good-looking Uriah Duffy on horny bass, and Reb Beach on guitar. Chris takes over the drum chair from the ambidextrous Mr. Tommy Aldridge, drummer par excellence, who earlier in the year left to pursue alternate musical adventures. We all wish TA well on his journey and take great delight in introducing to you a new and remarkable talent… So, without further adieu, please say hello to Chris Frazier…”
Q: When did you start playing the drums and who were your influences?
Chris: I remember seeing THE BEATLES on “Ed Sullivan” when I was a three-year-old. I think it was a rerun! Ha Ha! My mother said I looked up at her and exclaimed, “I wanna be just like Ringo!” She bought me some drumsticks after that. What a mistake! I started banging on all the plastic waste bins around the house. After driving her mad and destroying dozens of trash cans she got me a small kit for Christmas. We put it up in the attic as far from everyone as possible and there I would practice along with records. HENDRIX, THE WHO, TRAFFIC, STONES, BEATLES and MOODY BLUES. My interest turned to jazz in my adolescent years… Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke and WEATHER REPORT as well as lots of Frank Zappa. My biggest influences are probably Bonzo, Steve Gadd, Steve Smith and Tony Williams. With a little Mitch Mitchell for safety.
Q: How did your career begin?
Chris: I did my first professional gig at 11 years old. It was a high school dance and I made 35 dollars. I was RICH! 10 years later I moved to Los Angeles where I was STILL MAKING 35 DOLLARS A SHOW. Off to a bad start! But that was what the clubs were paying back then. I answered an ad in the Recycler for “Drummer wanted: Familiar with odd meters. Must have sense of humor and a car.” I checked it out and it was Steve Vai’s roommate. I auditioned for his roommate and then for Steve. Steve said, “So you wanna do some recording?” I said, “Uhh… sure. That would be cool.” But what I was thinking was, “Shit! I can’t believe this!” That’s how it began. I recorded “Flex-able” and “Passion and Warfare” and I guess that gave me the street credibility I needed.
Q: Other than WHITESNAKE, who else have you worked with?
Chris: Steve Vai, Carole King, Edgar Winter, Eddie Money. Eddie Van Halen produced a band I worked with called PRIVATE LIFE. Tiffany. My favorite guitarist on the planet, Doug Aldrich. Gene Simmons produced a Doro Pesch record I played on. Lots of soundtracks.
Q: What was it like working with Steve Vai?
Chris: Steve whipped me into shape back in the early days. I didn’t know about playing with a click, how to get a drum sound or how to play various kinds of music and feels. But I think he liked my instincts and worked with me, anyway, which turned out to be an invaluable learning experience. He has a very strong work ethic and very specific arrangement ideas. It can be tedious and stressful on someone fresh off the boat like I was. We had a blast back in those days though. At one point there were eight of us all living in the same house in Sylmar, Ca. Steve, myself, Stu Hamm, Mike “O” Brien, who was a professional student (I think he had three bachelors and a masters. In what I have no idea), Marty (the funniest man on the planet), Steve’s wife, Pia (who was playing bass at the time for the all-girl supergroup VIXEN) and various other characters. It was nuts. The house was in constant shambles and someone was always laughing his or her ass off. Since then I have toured the world and done over a hundred recordings with Steve.
Q: How did your association with WHITESNAKE transpire?
Chris: Last May I receive a call from the WHITESNAKE management. Apparently there had been some scheduling conflicts with Tommy and [David Coverdale] wanted to get me in the studio to see what might happen. It was very casual, intially. Doug and myself had worked together on many projects in the past and I have always been a huge fan of WHITESNAKE, so I wasn’t about to say no! On meeting David I felt an immediate camaraderie and at the same time, “Shit, I can’t believe this!” in my head. Upon recording I felt at ease because I have worked with Doug so many times that it just felt very natural. The difference is David. Doug finally has the singer his playing deserves. It was truly inspiring to play on the album.
Q: When recording the upcoming WHITESNAKE album, what approach did you take?
Chris: I wanted to have a vintage rock sound so we went with big juicy DW drums. 24″ kicks, fat toms tuned real tubby and Black Beauty snare. Everything wide open. Big dark cymbals too. 16″ K hats, 22″ dark K ride. Big open drums and shimmering cymbals promote playing with more space. “What would Cozy do?” my internal dialogue would ask. He was a bad-ass! WHITESNAKE songs are passionate and dramatic so my grooves and fills had to be that way as well.
Q: Other than drums, do you play any other instruments?
Chris: A little piano. Just to compose with. I’m no Chopin, believe me! Percussion is great because the more crazy exotic noisemakers you have the more you appear to everyone like a witchdoctor. A percussionist can create an environment to a song like sounds the weather makes, or give the impression you’re in the presence of wildlife. I love the udu drum. It has a great Middle Eastern sound. I would love to get a hammer dulcimer. And a hurdy-gurdy!
Q: Other than music, what are you passionate about?
Chris: I used to surf every day when I lived in California. I miss it. It is so deep. The power of the ocean is incredible and when you harness that there isn’t a more beautiful feeling. The ocean can bitch slap you too! There was days that I thought, “Well, this is it. I’m dead.” I miss it. I also love great films. If I couldn’t play music anymore, I would write scripts.
Q: What do you love and hate about touring?
Chris: I love to travel the globe and experiencing foreign cultures. Believe me, there’s no better way to do that than playing rock shows. I enjoy staying in hotels. I love not having to clean up after myself! A fresh hotel room everyday! Yes! I do begin to miss home after a while. My girlfriend, my cats, my studio and friends. It’s all worth it when I’m on stage though. Everything else disappears when I’m up there and I’m completely in the moment.
Q: What do you look forward to in regards to touring with WHITESNAKE?
Chris: Playing all those awesome classic songs live! Playing all the new ones as well. Getting to jam with some of the best musicians the rock and roll industry has to offer. Doug Aldrich? Reb Beach? Uriah Duffy? Timothy Drury? DAVID COVERDALE? Come on. How much better can a band get?
