RIP WAYNE STATIC
By now you’ve likely heard the news that Wayne Static of Static X died on the weekend, aged 48. He was about to go out on tour with Powerman 5000 in the US. At press time, the cause of death hadn’t been reported but the postings of many of his friends and music industry associates suggest it was a drug overdose. It was probably best summed up by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, who said, “RIP Wayne. This is so sad. Too many musicians are dying from overdoses. I’m serious, addiction is real and takes fools out. No one is invincible. So glad I live a sober life today. The number of friends that I have lost to addiction is crazy. If you are struggling with addiction, get some help before it’s too late. I know drugs and partying are part of the rock‘n’roll lifestyle, but damn, how many more gotta die? Fuck the lifestyle, I want life. See you on the other side, Wayne.”
DREAM THEATER ROCKS MELBOURNE
Phwoar. Howzabout that Dream Theater show, eh? If you weren’t there you missed one of the best gigs of the year. The band was absolutely on fire and the setlist was amazing. The first act was mostly drawn from the most recent two albums (the ones with new drummer Mike Mangini), the second act was the second half of the Awake album (with another recent track at the end) and the third was a suite of four songs from Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory. And kudos to the band for bringing the entire stage show to Australia rather than a scaled-down version like we often get from international tours. If you missed it, check out Dream Theater’s new DVD/BluRay, Breaking the Fourth Wall (Live From The Boston Opera House), out now.
WANT YOUR MUSIC ON TV?
Australian sports entertainment company New Age Wrestling is going to have a special monthly show on Australian television with the pilot screening soon, and they’re looking for bands to submit music to be used in conjunction with the television show and other events. There’s the potential for live performances in the future and other major exposure/cross promotional opportunities. This offer is open to broad spectrum of rock/heavy music and all its sub-genres, and unsigned and independent bands are welcome and encouraged. For more details contact [email protected]
NEW EX-MEGADETH SUPERGROUP
This oughta’ be interesting. Former Megadeth lead guitarist Chris Poland has joined a new band with former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza and former Megadeth bass player James Lomenzo. The trio plans to release an EP early next year and they say they already have six heavy original songs in the can. Although they all have the same former band in common, none of these guys shared the stage with each other in Megadeth. Poland left the band in 1987 but there was a small cross-over period where Poland came back to work on demos for ‘90’s Rust In Peace album, which was Menza’s first, but he declined an offer to rejoin and that’s when Marty Friedman was hired. Trivia is fun.
METAL AT THE BENDIGO
Here’s what’s coming up at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood:
Friday November 7, Japan’s relentlessly touring two-piece grind tornado Sete Star Sept return to Australia and add to their body count of mangled onlookers. Internal Rot, Asbestosisis, Holy Boner, Tactical Attack and Unnatural Birth will get things rolling on Friday November 7 at the Bendigo Hotel.
Saturday November 8, Progression Obsession! The Aussie Alternative brings a stunning lineup of progressive and experimental rock acts. Legendary instrumental act Mushroom Giant released their latest opus Painted Mantra to great acclaim this year, and they see out what was a massive year for them at this show. Quirky but extremely cool is the best way to describe Melbourne experimental band Glasfrosch.
Sunday November 9, two killer international sludge tours combine for a night overflowing with heavy sounds. Meth Drinker dwells in Wellington, New Zealand, and have been playing raw, aggressive, disturbing Sludge since 2010, inspired by classic sludge bands from the 90’s like Grief, Noothgrush, Corrupted, Iron Monkey, Eyehategod and Dystopia. They released a debut self-titled LP in 2011 and a split 12” with fellow New Zealand Sludge band Open Tomb in 2012. Killer locals Whitehorse join them along with Japan’s Ithaqua and DEad and Horsehunter for a sick night of awesome local AND International Doom and Sludge at its best.
EZEKIEL OX ON TOUR
Ezekiel Ox, the voice and heartbeat of defunct underground heroes Full Scale, Mammal, The Nerve and the still firing Over-Reactor has a had a massive 2014 since announcing his solo ambitions in January. This year has seen him support Boots Reily (The Coup, Street Sweeper Social Club), King Of The North, Sietta and Tim McMillan live, as well as appearing on stage and street with fellow buskers/headliners The Pierce Brothers. Forever relentless, he also found the time to write, record, mix and collate his debut EP Raw Styles, which has had tracks spun on Triple J and community radio around the country, and features production from James Mangohig (Briggs, Daniel Johns). This has lead to Sydney’s art-rock champions Bird’s Robe Records (sleepmakeswaves, The Red Paintings, 65 Days Of Static)getting on board to release the EP officially to coincide with the tour. “Mike and Bird’s Robe were instrumental in the development of the The Nerve, and I took Raw Styles to him first when I was shopping it around,” Zeke says. “Having Bird’s Robe on board gives me the support of a label that do it for the right reasons, and in the right way.” Zeke’s taking his new ‘cyber/punk-hop/cabaret’ around the country this October, November and December. Joining him will be Melbourne’s The Twoks, who have just finished supporting Adalita and Clare Bodwitch. He’ll be at the Grace Darling Bandroom on Friday November 14, Bridge Hotel Castlemaine on Saturday 15, Beavs Bar Geelong on Thursday 20, Major Tom’s Kyneton on Friday 21 and Baby Black Cafe, Bacchus Marsh on Saturday 22.
