Interview with Nick Hexum of 311

"Stay positive and love your life." 

These words, which are spoken at the end of each 311 concert by lead singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, exemplify what the band is all about.  For the past 21 years, their music hasn't belonged to any genre or type, it's merely been what it was always intended to be, 311 music. 8.5 million units sold in the U.S., six albums reaching the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Sales Chart and 8 singles reaching the Top 10 on Billboard's U.S. Alternative Chart, it seems fans have gotten their message loud and clear. Hard Rock Review's Aaron Manogue sat down with lead singer/guitarist Nick Hexum to talk about their upcoming Summerfest appearance, what Summerfest has been like for them over the years, and the upcoming 12th studio album "Universal Pulse."

Manogue: 311 has been touring for the better part of 20 years now and been around the world. What is it that makes Summerfest such a great place to perform?
Nick Hexum: There is a special vibe at Summerfest. I like the way it caters to all kinds of different tastes in music and culture. There is such a wide mix of ages and types of people partying together. It's a pretty unique happening.

Interview with Shaun McCoy of Bobaflex

Shaun McCoy - Guitarist/Vocalist of Bobaflex

Written by: Aaron Manogue

We’re all swamped within the information age and bombarded with less than adequate bands that spew out music just to keep their record label at bay. Very seldom do we have the pleasure of hearing a band stay true to their fans and themselves without ever selling out. In a nutshell, this describes one of the most genuine, hard rock bands still out there today. The guys in Bobaflex have been in the business for years now, and through struggles within the industry and outside of it, they’ve managed to stay relevant and remember how to play their trademark, soothe your soul one minute, kick your ass the next, rock and roll. Aaron Manogue sat down with Bobaflex guitarist and vocalist Shaun McCoy to talk about what they’ve been up to and what they have in store for our ear drum’s pleasure coming this summer.

Aaron Manogue: What’s Bobaflex been up to for the past year or two?

Shaun McCoy: Well a little ways back our record label went bankrupt so we ultimately had to fight a legal battle with the t-shirts and touring. Once we got through that, we started to record a new album called, “Hell in My Heart.” We paid for it ourselves, we paid for every recording, and we paid the producer ourselves. Right now we’re working on a late spring, early summer release.

HRR Interview with Divyded

Written by Aaron Manogue

Band Profile:

Hometown: North Prairie, Delafield, WI

Since: 2010

Website: www.Divyded.com

Facebook  Myspace  ReverbNation

Upcoming Shows:

2/18/11 - Milw. - Bay View Brew Haus

2/19/11 - Janesville -  TheBack Bar

Making successful hard rock or metal music today is basically about three things:
1) Music with a hook
2) Lyrics fans can feel and relate to
3) Kick your ass guitar play.

HRR was lucky enough to come across a local band that literally matched up to all three of these, even though they tell us they've only been together since early 2010. If you haven't heard of them before, plan on hearing their name many times in the near future. Chuck Diesel (Vocals, Guitar), Jason "Das" Radosevich (Drums) and Ryan Trainor (Bass) have formed a force to be reckoned with as DIVYDED...

HRR Interview with Sevendust's Morgan Rose

Drummer, Morgan Rose, of Sevendust

Written by Aaron Manogue

The hard rock scene isn’t something that is easy to break into in a "big" way, and even when it does happen, there comes the constant struggle of staying relevant enough to continue successfully writing music and touring. Very few bands have figured out the precise formula to balance immense musical talent while simultaneously pleasing the "industry suits."

Since 1997, when they released their self-titled debut album, Sevendust has done that and so much more. They’ve gone through lineup changes, financial troubles, and everything else that rock ‘n’ roll has thrown their way.  Sevendust continues to write, record, and produce music that transcends the struggles and has formed them into one of the most stoic forces in the hard rock music scene. Hard-Rock-Reviews.com's Aaron Manogue chatted recently with Morgan about Sevendust...

Welcome to the Family, the A7X Family

AVENGED SEVENFOLD has tapped Arin Ilejay, former drummer for Los Angeles-based Christian rock group CONFIDE, to sit behind the kit for AVENGED's upcoming tour dates in support of the "Nightmare" album. ...

AVENGED recruited ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy to play on "Nightmare" and take part in the band's touring activities in 2010 following the death in December 2009 of the band's drummer, James "The Rev" Sullivan. Portnoy was Sullivan's favorite drummer.

Commented AVENGED SEVENFOLD: "We recently asked several friends who knew Jimmy and his style, and also knew our music and each of our personalities to suggest drummers to tour with us starting this year. Our longtime studio drum tech Mike Fasano recommended Arin Ilejay. 

"We've rehearsed with Arin and have been impressed with his technical skills, attitude and work ethic. 

"We're very excited to tour with Arin and hope all of you will give him the warm welcome to the family we have."

Ilejay is featured on CONFIDE's full-length debut album "Shout The Truth" (2008) and he performed with the band during the 2008 Vans Warped Tour, among others.

Sullivan was found dead in his Huntington Beach, California home at the age of 28. 

Sullivan's death was attributed to a lethal combination of several prescription drugs, including OxyContin and Valium, with alcohol.

The drummer died just before AVENGED SEVENFOLD was to begin recording its fifth album.

The disc, titled "Nightmare", came out last summer and was AVENGED SEVENFOLD's first No. 1 record.

Portnoy was dismissed from the group in December. 






CREDIT: Blabbermouth - http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152546

Nonpoint Performs "Billie Jean" on New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, Hard-Rock-Reviews.com staffers had the pleasure of attending an acoustic show by Nonpoint, Aranda and Edisun presented by 94.1 WJJO.  

Easily one of the biggest highlights of the night was Nonpoint's acoustic rendition of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Now I know most of you reading this are going to say, "Why in the Hell are you posting a video of "Billie Jean" on a HARD ROCK website?!" Well it's because this goes to show how eclectic, dynamic, and incredibly talented Nonpoint can be.  Not often do we come across a band with talent enough to rock your faces off on a nightly basis and then turn around and pull off an acoustic performance such as this.  What a hell of a way to start 2011! 

(Thanks to Jenny Furnish & Angela Villand for the video!)

Miracle

© Hard-Rock-Reviews.com

Written by Aaron Manogue

Video filmed by Jenny Furnish & Angela Villand

All Rights Reserved

ang@hard-rock-reviews.com or manogue4@hard-rock-reviews.com

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Legal Mumbo-Jumbo

Note: The content within these articles, videos, reviews, news updates, photographs and interviews may not be used without proper attribution and credit given to both the author, photographer, videographer and/or the website. The content within this website is protected by License & Digital Copyright Laws. All photographs, links to other websites & news have been used with express written permission from the artist, publicists, photographers and other applicable owners of material, in all instances. This content may not be copied & re-blogged without express permission from the owner/operators of this website.

The content herein, written and published by by Angela Villand & Aaron Manogue is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at ang@hard-rock-reviews.com or manogue4@hard-rock-reviews.com

Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan Remembered

A year ago today, the metal world lost possibly one of the greatest drummers of it's time.  Since the age of four when he received his first drum sticks, The Rev had a passion for drums and music as a whole.  Best known for his incredible talent on drums with Avenged Sevenfold and his self titled "double-ride thing" where he doubled up at a fast tempo between double bass and ride cymbals, (can be heard on "Almost Easy" and "Critical Acclaim") something that to this day is unheard of by any other drummer.

He was also a pianist, songwriter, and vocalist with Avenged Sevenfold, merely expanding his unfathomable resume as a musician. Possibly his most well-known songwriting took form in the song "A Little Piece of Heaven."  The song has somewhat of a cult following as it is rarely played by radio stations due to it's graphic and twisted nature, but that's what fans love about it.  It's ingenious combinations of furious drums, playful and melodious piano, big band feel combined with gruesome yet fun lyrics, it was something only The Rev could conquer in his mind; and to most this was his masterpiece.

But Sullivan was more than just a one of a kind drummer. He was a one of a kind person.  For those of us that never had the honor of sharing a conversation with Sullivan we can only know him through videos and interviews where his quirky and cheerful personality made every single person around him enjoy whatever it is they happened to be doing at the time. He was just someone who you admired as a musician and wished that you had 100 friends just like him.

So on this day, one year later, we honor the memory of one of the truly iconic musicians of our time and simply say, "While you may be hard to find, we hope you've found your peace just on the other side."

ill Nino "Dead New World" Review

The year 2010 has been filled with a lot of high quality albums and new music in the hard rock and metal scene. This was expected from the likes of Avenged Sevenfold and Deftones but possibly one of the most delightful surprises is the latest release Dead New World by Ill Nino. Whether you coin the band nu metal or Latin metal, to each his own, I call it purely unique ass kicking metal.

Ill Nino has consistently been known for being one of the most unique sounds in metal with the use of Dave Chavarri and Daniel Couto’s mixture of drums and Latin percussion, which is the epitome of a signature sound that most bands would kill for. And in the album Dead New World, nothing has changed.

“God is Only for the Dead” announces loud and clear that the sextet is here to gouge your ears with metal bliss and insane energy. The addictive chorus sets the tone for the majority of the album, followed soon after by another tune you’ll have cemented in your head for days, “The Art of War.” The entire song is just plain fun to listen to and is spontaneous yet rhythmic all the same. The guitar work by Ahrue Luster and Diego Verduzco is pristinely recognizable and furious. Something any metal fan will immediately recognize and cherish.

The brightest spot on the album is the track “Mi Revolucion.” All of the ingredients that have gone into forming the masterpiece that is Ill Nino are evident. Insane drumbeats, masterful vocals, riffs that are as hard as they are loud, all tied together with a little Latin Soul and you have Dead New World.

Avenged Sevenfold Releases Statement About Moving on Without Mike Portnoy

In a much anticipated press release, Avenged Sevenfold have publicly made a statement about moving forward without drummer Mike Portnoy and where they go from here. This is the band's official statement:

"For the past few months, we've been blessed with Mike Portnoy's talent and humanity. When Mike agreed to tour with us, it was only through the end of 2010. We always knew we'd need to find another solution for 2011 and beyond. And it's time for us to take that next step.

We know we are not ready to add another permanent member of Avenged Sevenfold. We don't know if we will ever be. But if we do, it will only be with someone who is not only a brilliant drummer, but also someone we've gotten to know well on the road and off, and who you the fans have had a chance to get to know, and hopefully accept. In other words, in this family, we take these steps together, band and our extended fan family.

We are lucky to be surrounded by so many friends, many of whom knew Jimmy very well personally, as well as our band and Jimmy's drumming talent and style. These friends have introduced us to several amazing drummers. We have decided to take one of them out starting in January. He will not be a member of a7x. He will be someone you and we are getting to know. Perhaps this drummer will be a fit. Perhaps not. One thing is for sure. Over time we will find someone who helps us continue our quest to make the music we love for the fans we love.

Mike and the band agree that can't be him. Why? Long before there was an Avenged Sevenfold, there were members of this band who looked up to Mike and, in Jimmy's case, learned a lot from watching Mike play. He is a brilliant writer, producer and of course drummer. Because of that, the world and we would always see it as Avenged Sevenfold with Mike Portnoy. We take a lot of pride in A7X being about something greater then any individuals. Its about the music, the fans and the friends and family we have as well as continuing our best friends legacy.

Please give whoever we try your love and support....and the benefit of the doubt. They won't be Jimmy. Who could be? But he will be himself, with his own special talents and creativity. And that's all we could ever look for.

Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for everything you've done love and support us and help us get back on our feet."

Avenged Sevenfold Elects to Move Forward Without Drummer Mike Portnoy

The decision has been made just as planned when the experiment started, but the decision by Avenged Sevenfold to move on without former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy comes as a disappointment to many fans. Portnoy had replaced the band's original drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan after his untimely death.  Rumors had been streaming the internet for a week or so now and Portnoy released an official statement confirming the decision.

"Yes, the rumors are true... Sadly my time with Avenged Sevenfold has come to an end... The band has decided to carry on into 2011 without me... 

"I had a great time with them throughout 2010, but it was their choice to end the relationship at the end of 2010 as was always the initial plan.... 

"I had an awesome time on stage with the guys every night and have so many cool memories from the experience with them... I am proud to always be part of the AVENGED SEVENFOLD family and history. I also adore the AVENGED SEVENFOLD fans and totally appreciate the way they welcomed me aboard and were so loving and supportive during my time with the band...thank you! 

"As far as my future, I am excited by the endless musical possibilities that lie ahead of me...my love for music runs very deep and my taste is very broad and ecclectic which will give me the chance to explore many different things and collaborate with many great friends and artists I admire and respect... 

"Happy holidaze to you all and c-ya in the New Year."

As for who will replace Portnoy if anyone, that remains to be seen.  Avenged Sevenfold fans can only wait to see what happens next into 2011.

ILL NIÑO Announces U.S. Headlining Tour

Latin metal masters ILL NIÑO are pleased to announce their new ‘Restore The Insanity’ tour! ILL NIÑO is headlining the tour with support from Anew Revolution, Ekotren, and Fashion Bomb! See below for all presently confirmed tour dates. Several more tour dates are soon to be added, so stay tuned for updates on the tour!

“We’re really looking forward to seeing all of our crazy fans again,” states vocalist Cristian Machado. “This is the first U.S. tour we’ve done in two years, so you’d better put your dancing shoes on, hide your kids, hide your wife, because ILL NIÑO is comin’ to town!”

‘RESTORE THE INSANITY’ TOUR
*** MORE DATES TBA***

• 1/20 Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s
• 1/21 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 
• 1/27 Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club 
• 2/1 San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live 
• 2/2 Beaumont, TX @ The Gig
• 2/3 Dallas, TX @ Trees
• 2/4 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
• 2/13 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater
• 2/15 Worcester, MA @ Palladium

ILL NIÑO is scheduled to perform at Soundwave festival in Australia in 2011! See below for current dates, and please contact chris@riotact.com.au for more information about ILL NIÑO in Australia!

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL

• 2/26 Brisbane, Queensland @ Brisbane Showgrounds
• 2/27 Sydney, Brabham Dr @ Eastern Creek International Raceway
• 3/4 Melbourne, Victoria @ Melbourne Showgrounds
• 3/5 Adelaide @ Bonython Park
• 3/7 Perth @ Steel Blue Oval 

Dead New World

Dimebag Darrell Remembered

The world of metal is a machine that continues to grind on despite what is going on in the world around it, stopping for no one person or any one reason.  Six years ago today, the mighty machine was stalled to a dead stop when one of it's all-time greatest guitarists, and people, was shot onstage performing for Damageplan in Columbus, Ohio. "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was dead.

To most it wasn't just a death, it was the loss of possibly the most influential guitarist of our time. He was the creator of some of the most recognizable and progressive riffs in metal history; best known for his work in the legendary band Pantera; we have much to thank Dimebag for. We were all lucky that Dimebag shared his gift with the world and showed us what a guitar can really do.  Any metal guitarist to this day will say that he has influenced them in some way, shape or form. Living such a short life, this goes to show how immeasurable his talents were.

Dimebag's iconic riffs and eardrum melting solos will live on in the echoes of metal history.  On this day, we honor you, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

Cowboys From Hell

Future of Slipknot Still Uncertain

Metals fans everywhere have been blowing up forums and discussion boards with speculation of whether or not  mighty Slipknot will return in 2011, either in the studio or on tour.  Drummer Joey Jordison (currently with Murderdolls) has been consistently optimistic about their return, while vocalist Corey Taylor and guitarist James Root (both currently touring with Stone Sour) have both been hesitant about commenting about their return after the tragic passing of beloved bassist Paul Gray.  The rumor mill was doused with gasoline when Jordison spoke with Billboard.com about the future of the band:

“It’s definitely exciting. It’s a little emotional, of course, but I think it’s going to be really, really cool and I think it’s gonna be a really, really great record because everyone’s really involved in the process. 

It’s going to be a little interesting, but I think it’s gonna be a healing process for all of us. Slipknot is not going anywhere. We’re a family, and losing a family member sucks. You can’t help that, but you need to move on, and I think that what we’re gonna do might be the most powerful thing that we’ve ever created.”

While this was music to fan's ears worldwide, Taylor was quick to respectfully refute Jordison's claims via his twitter page @coreytaylorrock stating:

"As for Joey's comments, he took that on himself to say that in print. I can think of 5 people in this band who haven't written/heard a thing.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, let me be clear. I have NO PLANS to make a new Slipknot album anytime soon. Shows?   Maybe. Album? No."

Nonpoint "Miracle" Review

It seems like every time someone talks about any rock n’ roll artist or band these days, there is an underlying and ridiculous urge to place them in some generalized category. Whether it’s soft rock, alternative rock, heavy metal, death metal, or any amalgamation of rock n’ roll genres that some self-proclaimed music junky decides to make up for a certain band, people feel the need to stereotype a band’s sound. For the boys of Nonpoint it’s never been about fitting into some cliché music genre or writing records to make the charts, it’s simply been about one thing and one thing only; writing genuine, pure Nonpoint music.

Silence is Broken

We all constantly hear people talking about their favorite local band. You know, the one that your best friend's cousin's brother-in-law is in and "they're the next big thing!" It's almost by default when we go to local shows nowadays that you'll hear a few locals telling you you're going to be blown away by their performance and music. And also as we all know, this is very rarely true. Then we ran into a band called Silence is Broken, and all those great things we had heard were nothing short of absolutely true. Hard-Rock-Reviews.com sat down with vocalist Aaron Fishel and Drummer Kyle Urbanik to talk about where they came from, and where they're headed.

Hard-Rock-Reviews.com: So how did you guys get your start?

Aaron Fishel: Me, Jamison (Parker), the guitar player, and Shawn Wade, our bassist, started this band five years ago. We had just gotten tired of the scene around our hometown of Rockford (Illinois). Same bands, same people; like regurgitated everything. People who had quit this band and joined another band, you know? And they just weren’t very good bands, not to be an asshole or anything. We’ve been doing nothing but shows. We’ve toured with Dope and Anew Revolution, 12 stones, played (WJJO) Band Camp this year, which was a major highlight for us. Pushing and pushing and pushing with the ultimate goal being to get a record deal obviously.

Interview with Wednesday 13 of the Murderdolls

After an eight-year hiatus, Wednesday 13 and Joey Jordison have resurrected their brilliantly twisted concoction, the Murderdolls. They have pumped life back into the undead with their latest album Women and Children Last and are currently wreaking havoc around the country on the Halloween Hootenanny tour, along side the Godfather of shock rock, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie. I sat down with Wednesday 13 to talk about the new record and his new direction he took for writing it.

Aaron Manogue: Were you guys pretty excited to get back out on tour?

Interview with Mike Martin of All That Remains

Aaron Manogue: Can you tell me a little bit about your new album For We Are Many?

Mike Martin:Yeah, everybody’s pretty psyched about it. I think everyone feels it’s the best balance of what we’ve done as a band. We spent more time on this one compared to the last one so I think everyone’s pretty psyched about how it came out. Last time felt a little rushed when we did the Overcome album.  This time everyone’s a little happier that we got time to go through things with a fine-toothed comb, you know?

Manogue: Was there a message or statement you were trying to make with this album?

Slipknot - (sic)nesses Live at Download Review

The greatest metal band of the 21st century is at it once again with their latest concert DVD release (sic)nesses Live at Download. Available since late September, this work of art is enthralling, brilliant and surreal. Percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan exemplifies the DVD in one simple line; “It’s an extreme gift to be able to give the world your pain.”

The multifaceted compilation starts with a live recording of the bands 2009 performance at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park. The band drew largely from their hardcore roots, playing tracks such as “Eyeless,” “Surfacing” and “Wait and Bleed.” If you’ve never had the honor of experiencing the chaos that is a Slipknot concert, feast your eyes on the tens of thousands who enjoyed the ass kicking the nine handed them on this momentus day.

Easily the most artistic and impeccably revealing part of (sic)nesses  is the look that Clown gives fans in what is called Audible Visions of: (sic)nesses, a feature film directed by Clown himself. It delves the viewer behind the scenes during the bands tour to promote All Hope is Gone. The footage gives you a look into the soul of the beast that is Slipknot.

Hellyeah - Stampede Review

Supergroup Hellyeah is back with sophomore album  Stampede and their patented main course of southern rock with a gritty side of ass kicking that fans are used to from lead man Chad Gray and guitarist Greg Tribbett’s main poison, Mudvayne. Rounding out your four course meal of metal is Vinnie Paul of Pantera, Tom Maxwell of Nothingface and Bob Zilla of Damageplan, leaving any metal fan asking for seconds.

“Cowboy Way” serves as the delectable appetizer, with its monstrous southern metal sound it sets the tone for the rest of the record. The task of incorporating each sound of the supergroup’s members is done perfectly throughout; gritty guitars, smooth as silk drums, in your face vocals and a bass line that runs right through the heart of the album.

Murderdolls - Women and Children Last Review

Imagine yourself stuck in the middle of a fiery hell on earth. The zombie apocalypse is upon us and the world has lost all its order. Your friends and family are no where to be found, so you can only assume they’re one of the infected thousands that are chasing you, trying to make you into their next delectable treat. There is no way out. There is no hope. And you love every minute of it. This, in a rotten nutshell, is exactly the type of twisted, guilty pleasure that Murderdolls brings to you in their latest release Women and Children Last.

The Death Valley Superstars kick your ass from the hellish opening “Chapel of Blood” to the appropriately titled closer “Hello, Goodbye, Die”, and you find yourself asking the infamous question, “Thank you sir, may I have another?” As if the title didn’t raise a big enough red flag, screaming at you to run and hide, you can’t help but find yourself listening to every last catchy riff, every last dark lyric, every inch of musical ass kicking packed inside Women and Children Last.