It's Been A While..

Where did March go? It dawned on me that it's been almost a month since I posted on here. Coincidentally, it's almost been as long since my last gym visit, but Lost is on soon, so I figured this was the way to go.

Work's been busy with all sorts of fun stuff, but somehow I found the time to interview Ratt's Stephen Pearcy for Metal Sucks and got a preview of their stellar forthcoming album, Infestation. I got to tell Pearcy all about Ratturday, averted a "Way Cool Jr." pun, and please believe I melted a little in my seat when the elder statesman of thigh bruisers referred to me as "girlie." Look for that write-up shortly.

Besides swooning over a 50-yr-old man, I managed to avoid lots of other aging rockers by not attending South by Southwest this year. While it would have been awesome to hang out in a beer- and BBQ sauce-basted city surrounded by 95 percent of my favorite people on Earf, the lineup seemed way more like a '90s revival than a new music festival (Stone Temple Pilots and Hole were leading headliners). I could have done without it all except for the Sword/ Year Long Disaster/ Motorhead show at Stubb's. THAT would have been cool to see. Did anyone out there besides Henry Owings witness the alleged Shellac gig?

I'm actually quite excited about a bunch of shows going on around NYC in May, including Karma to Burn with Year Long Disaster at Knitting Factory, the Yuppicide reunion at the Black N Blue Ball, plus two nights of HIM (don't judge me) at Irving Plaza.

Cannot wait to sink my teeth into the forthcoming Deftones record, Daughters' latest, and someone needs to tell me if the new Black Rebel Motorcycle Club album is any good. As for stuff I've been listening to: Dax Riggs. Lots and lots of Dax Riggs. Also, the four-disc deluxe edition of Iggy & The Stooges' Raw Power is pretty effin dope, its greatest revelation being Georgia Peaches - Live at Richard's Atlanta, 1973. Last good show was Black Dahlia Murder at a packed Santos Party House.

Until next time... play them out, Dax:

Mastodon Lager

Are you a metal fan? How about a beer enthusiast? Well, here's proof that Mastodon Lager exists (outside of Brent's imagination, that is). The private-stock German brew may actually find its way to the States.

Get ready to drink up, Atlanta!

 

*Photo lifted from Darren Sanders' Facebook page.

Happy Valentine's Day

 I call this one "Two Postmen in Love."

Just 'Cause: Katy & Rihanna Flip The Bird

Photo lifted from @KatyPerry's Twitter feed.

False Metal Monday: Yeasayer

Metal must really be reaching ubiquity because even world beat/avant-garde/indie/folk hipster darlings Yeasayer are mining the brütal font mines for their forthcoming album, Odd Blood.*

Am I the only one who thinks it's a little too close to Tyr's Rune-inspired logo?

* Also, "Blood" in title = Metal

Scion Rock Fest 2010

Just when I was hoping it would be in Atlanta again...

Read more about it at Brooklyn Vegan.

Weedeater Frontman Shoots Off Big Toe

Sure, it's only the second week of January. But when this press release dropped into my Inbox tonight, I knew this decade was well on its way to starting off on a fantastic note. Read on, and props to the fine folks at Earsplit PR.

WEEDEATER: Dixie Dave Shoots Off Big Toe; Recording On Hold

In a message from North Carolina sludge metallers WEEDEATER:

"As most of you know, here in the WEEDEATER camp we pride ourselves on a long tradition of shooting our band in the proverbial foot right before we're supposed to do something important. Whether it's a big tour, a recording session, or whatever else we're supposed to do, invariably we will find some way to try and thwart our grandiose plans. 

Well, it's no different for this recording session, except that this time we really did shoot ourselves in the foot. In fact we regret to inform all of you that this weekend, Dixie Dave shot his big toe off whilst cleaning his favorite shotgun. Yup, that's right. When reached for comment, Mr. Collins gave a quote that speaks for itself: 'It wasn't my intention to shoot off my big toe. This really fucking sucks and the pain is unbearable.' Mr. Collins' doctors have advised that he is to be bed-ridden for the next few weeks during his recovery. 

This will obviously affect the recording session (and the few surrounding shows in Jan/Feb), which will now have to be postponed until after the March/April 'nine-toe' tour. Said tour is still 100% on, however, so check back soon for updates on venues and exact dates. It looks like the support bands will be awesome and the band is really stoked to play this new material after touring for so many years on the same basic set. Yeah...we knew that too, sorry but we're about to make good on it. And of course after all, we gotta keep workin', like workin' men do. Shooting your big toe off isn't free, for fuck's sake! So to re-cap...Keko sacrificed his pinkie for Down/Melvins, Shep broke his hand for Today is the Day, and now Dixie has generously offered up his big toe for Steve Albini to nibble on. Unless overtly fond of Limburger cheese and rotten flesh, Master Steve is advised to decline. Good day - WEEDEATER"

Here's to a speedy recovery for Dixie Dave.