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News of the Arctic Monkeys’ U.K. success initially had to be viewed skeptically. They were yet another band who wore their Jam, Clash and Smiths influences on their sleeve. Toss in the White Stripes, Vines, Libertines and a scruffier take on Franz Ferdinand for mainstream accessibility. Yet even for the U.K., it looked as though…
Beware of novelty songs. It may be fun to do one. But bands rarely think it could be what they are remembered for. Despite other great performances, the Bangles and “Walk Like An Egyptian” are eternally linked. The Bangles had two #1 songs, the aforementioned novelty track and the dreamy ballad “Eternal Flame.” Based on…
Named after a torture device and having a demented mascot known as ‘Eddie’, Iron Maiden formed around the nucleus of bassist Steve Harris and guitarist Dave Murray. But a falling out with the group’s then-lead singer Dennis Wilcock caused Murray to pack it in. But in short order Wilcock was gone, Murray returned, and vocalist…
Breaking a new act is a crapshoot. To minimize the risk, record labels often sign musicians with proven track records. The combination of Soundgarden’s frontman with Rage Against The Machine (sans Zach de la Rocha) would seem like a sure bet. But Audioslave was one of those blue chip “marriages” that nearly blew apart before…
The Offspring isn’t a bad moniker but it’s sure no Clowns Of Death. Now that’s a name! Guitarist Bryan “Dexter” Holland and bassist Greg Kriesel (Greg K.), both ex-Clowns of Death, started Manic Subsidal with singer Doug Thompson and drummer Jim Benton. Two things happened when Thompson and Benton bailed. First, Holland assumed singing duties…
It’s always impressive when a band’s debut full-length album lands in the Top 40 of the Billboard 200. That happened to the Pennsylvania band Halestorm, fronted by Lzzy Hale. But before the album dropped, Halestorm logged a lot of road time. There was the ’06 Winterfresh Sno-Core Tour with Seether, Shinedown and Flyleaf. That was…
The world is littered with the failed offspring of the famous. Bob Dylan is a legend. Jakob (pictured) is his son. After the Wallflowers, with Jakob as the singer and principal songwriter, were dropped by their label following their debut album, it looked as though Jakob was going to forever live in his father’s expansive…
Three years after Chicago’s Fall Out Boy formed Island Records provided an advance for the group’s major label debut “Take This To Your Grave.” ’05 release “Under The Cork Tree” led to an extensive tour. F.O.B. even won a Road Woodie (Best Tour) at the student-selected mtvU Woodie Awards held in New York. “Infinity On…
Sibling rivalry is well known but sometimes it can have positive results. When Ann Wilson started playing guitar her sister Nancy vowed to play it better. Eventually, Ann lost interest but Nancy kept practicing and it paid off, big time. The Seattle based Heart started out as the Army with Ann Wilson (vocals) Howard Lesse…
At seventeen, former choirboy William Bailey decided to change his last name to Rose, his dad’s last name. ‘Bailey’ belonged to his step-father. Picking up the Axl handle, as a tribute to some former bands, Rose headed for L.A., to connect with his friend Izzy Stradlin. They hooked up with Tracii Guns becoming the L.A….