CHERRY BAR CELEBRATES KISS DEBUT
Thunderstag bring their triple AXE assault and double bass fury to Cherry Bar on Saturday February 15 to celebrate one of the greatest milestones in rock’n’roll history….the debut KISS album! Thunderstag will be packing extra thunder and a whole lotta stag as they welcome newest axe lord Dylan Villain (ex The Shine/Fireballs). Also the debut KISS album will be performed in full by a local all-star band, featuring Tim Henwood (The Superjesus, Palace Of The King), Rusty (Electric Mary), Paul Drenan (Bruce Kulick Band, Mike Tramp Band) and Travis Dragan (Bruce Kulick Band). Plus DJs play KISS all night!
PUSH OVER 2014 PLAYING TIMES ANNOUNCED
Head over to thepush.com.au to see the newly-announced playing times for Push Over 2014. Presented by The Push, triple j, Faster Louder, Beat and supported by FReeZA, Victorian Government, Arts Centre Melbourne, Polaroid, Plakkit, 24Hundred, Dangerfield and Shout Out Loud, Push Over 2014 features Allday, Bam Bam, Buried in Verona, Chance Waters, Citizen Kay, Cub Sport, Deez Nuts, Dream On Dreamer, In Hearts Wake, Johnny Third, Lucianblomkamp, Make Them Suffer, Outright, PEZ, Remi, Luca Brasi, Saviour, Sierra, The Bennies and The Smith Street Band. It’s on Monday March 10 (Labour Day public holiday) at Sidney Myer Music Bowl from midday to 8pm. Tickets are $45 plus booking fee, from Ticketmaster.
MEGADETH PULLS OUT OF SOUNDWAVE, AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Last week the metal media pretty much blew up over reports that Megadeth requested that former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted’s band Newsted be removed from the Megadeth Sidewave. This prompted Newsted to book a show with the mighty Testament at The Espy instead (on Tuesday February 25, tickets from Oztix). Now Megadeth has announced that they’ve withdrawn from their Australian tour. Sidewaves, Soundwave, everything. Dave Mustaine posted on Megadeth’s Facebook page on Monday morning: “Due to circumstances beyond its control, unfortunately Megadeth has to cancel their Australian dates. Megadeth’s decision is unrelated to the fact that Jason Newsted is performing at Soundwave. Jason and I spoke recently and continue to be friends.” So that’s that then. It hasn’t been confirmed if Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover’s drum clinic at Pony Music in Hallam will still go ahead on February 26 as planned – at press time Pony’s Geoff Mison tells me he’s awaiting news from Drover either way. Check the Pony Music Facebook for confirmation (and check out their world-class studio, rehearsal and retail facilities while you’re at it).
NEW MARTY FRIEDMAN ALBUM ON THE WAY
Okay, one more Megadeth-related story. Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman has unveiled the first full track from his upcoming studio album, Inferno. The brand new song Steroidhead can be found now on YouTube. Inferno is Marty’s first solo album of original material in four years, and his first recording in more than a decade that will be released worldwide simultaneously (he lives in Japan where he’s huge). Featuring what he describes as the heaviest, most intense playing of his career, the album will feature guest appearances by several artists influenced by Marty including Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), flamenco/metal acoustic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela and Revocation’s David Davidson. The album also includes Marty’s first songwriting collaboration with Jason Becker since the pair played together in Cacophony.
TWELVE FOOT NINJA HIT THE ROAD
Twelve Foot Ninja have finally released their epic and totally-worth-the-wait crowdfunded video for Ain’t That A Bitch (featuring cameo appearances by Periphery) and it’s a thing of brutal beauty. The band broke crowdfunding records when they raised $52,600 to make their new video clip, and the band have announced an Australian headline tour aptly named The Troll Burger Tour (watch the video and you’ll get it) in March/April, before making their grand return to the U.S. for a handful of festivals including Rock On The Range and Carolina Rebellion. They’ll be at the Corner Hotel on Friday April 4.
GIG ALERT: PREPARED LIKE A BRIDE
Gold Coast hardcore merchants Prepared Like A Bride have had a huge start to the year. After being recrutied last minute to open for Blessthefall on the Boys Of Summer tour, the band have just released their new album Overcomer via Faction/Sony Music, and they’ll be hitting the road throughout March. They’re at Next in Melbourne on Thursday March 13 (18+) and Wyndham Youth Resource Centre (all ages) on Friday March 14.
NEW VANISHING POINT ALBUM
Melbourne’s masters of power metal, Vanishing Point will finally release their long awaited fifth album, Distant Is The Sun on Friday February 21. The band have a major following in both Australia and Europe with the album being released in the EU by Germany label AFM, and they’ll be supporting Royal Hunt on their upcoming Australian tour in April.
DARK TRANQUILITY SUPPORTS ANNOUNCED
Dark Tranquillity will finally be returning to tour Australia in March – it will be their first time back here since 2006 – and they’ve named Orpheus Omega as national support (if you’re in Sydney or Brisbane you’ll also get Be’lakor, while Perth gets Earth Rot). They’re at Billboard The Venue (actually it’s now called 170 Russell so update your neural networks) on Thursday March 27. It’s an early show, with doors at 6.15pm and the band onstage at 8pm. Tickets and VIP meet and greet fan packs are on sale now via metalmassacre.com.au.
