Two members of Evanescence have exited the band, which leaves room for question about the future of the band.
Guitarist John LeCompt was fired from the band and drummer Rocky Gray had quit.
LeCompt said: “I’m done and I’m pretty upset about it.(Singer) Amy [Lee] called and fired me today. There’s absolutely no loyalty in this band.”
The guitarist said he is now focusing on his new band with Gray called Machina.
On his blog he writes: “Around 3:30 pm yesterday I received a call on my cell from Amy. This call wasn’t from a friend who appreciated me but from an enemy who was prepared to hurt me and my family. Without any warning or negotiations for my future, I was fired for no good reason. We have not always seen eye to eye on everything, but who does?”
“Our common goal was always the same. To make Evanescence the best rock band it could ever be. I have always given blood, sweat and tears to make that happen but apparently that is not enough. I have now become just another of the people fallen by the wayside on the revolving door of her life. It’s funny how many of us there are now. I guess it’s good for lyrical content, though. Maybe I will be among the blessed to have a song written about me, too. Maybe the song will be ‘Call Me When You’re Broke’.”
To me, this questions Amy Lee’s decision making and motives, simply because they should have talked it through before she just goes ahead and fires him from the band. I actually find this news rediculous - it seems as if there was no reasoning behind it. Although Amy Lee has not said anything as of yet, the news does seem a bit odd. We will post again when Amy comes out with an official word.
Andy Mckee’s inventiveness and creativeness is what leads him to be one of the greatest fingerstyle guitarists of all time. The finalist of several fingerstyle competitions, Mckee has been playing guitar for over 25 years. Although there are no words in any of Andy’s songs, they speak for themselves. Check this out:
Andy Mckee - Drifting
The torrent for his album ‘Art of Motion’ can be found on torrentspy
The Police and Smashing Pumpkins are headlining the 2007 Virgin Festival on August 4th and 5th at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, MD but who else will be playing? Only some of the premiere names in rock, hip-hop and electronica.  A few of the most noteworthy acts include 311, Wu Tang Clan, Chris Cornell, Modest Mouse, Beastie Boys, Incubus, Ben Harper, Cheap Trick and Fountains of Wayne. Not too shabby… the entire lineup can be found below.
 Tickets go on sale at 10am on May 5th and cost $175 for the two-day tickets; VIP tickets are $450. If the show isn’t sold out by May 19th, then they will begin selling single day tickets for $97.50. A single day VIP ticket, if made available, will cost $250.
The Virgin Festival chose Baltimore as it’s first United States tour location in 2006 and after a tremendous first showing, Richard Bronson’s brainchild is giving the city a second go. Last year’s event headlined The Who and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and recieved a rave review by music fans who traveled cross country to get in the gates that are also home to one of the Triple Crown Horse Races - Preakness.
This concert is bound to be one of the hottest of the Summer, so leave your calender open on May 5th and pick up a few extra VIP tickets for us!
Ex-Smashing Pumpkins guitarist, James Iha, has announced that he has no intention of touring with the band this spring/summer.
Iha claims he is too busy writing music for his solo project and working on his indie record label, Scratchie Records. He even told Rolling Stone, “I haven’t spoken to Billy [Corgan] in years.”
The only members on board for the reunion so far are singer Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. It does not appear that guitarist Iha or bassist Wretzky will join.
However, temporary member Melissa Auf der Maur has stated, “My services are always there to play my favorite songs. If D’arcy [Wretzky] is not available, I’m always happy to be second in line.”
With Iha’s announcement, a few questions are brought up.
How can Corgan and Chamberlain expect this to fly if they don’t follow up and try to convince Iha or D’arcy Wretzky?
Does this mean the upcoming Smashing Pumpkins album Zeitgeist will only feature Corgan and Chamberlain? Disappointing.
Will they delay the reunion concert until all the members have time and are up for it?
Only time will tell..
What do you think about this “reunion”?
Chris Cornell has announced his first UK concert, which will be in support of his forthcoming solo album ‘Carry On’ due in stores April 30 (May 21 in UK). The concert is on May 16 at London’s Astoria, and you can buy tickets here, on ents24.com
What songs he will play: It is almost certain Chris will play plenty of the new songs from ‘Carry On’. He will probably play a few Soundgarden favorites, and it is rumored he will play some Temple of the Dog.
Also recently announced was “Arms Around Your Love”, the title of the first single off the new album.
Comedians often do impersonations of celebrities and politicians. But in this rare clip, comedian Aries Spears does a spits a flawless freestyle in the voices of LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, DMX and Jay-Z over the M.O.P instrumental “Ante Up”! Amazing stuff…
The announcement that Rage Against the Machine would reunite for one time (and one time only) for the Coachella concert sparked huge demand for tickets. The tickets sold out rapidly and the already hefty prices are seeing ridiculous resale value for ticket scalpers, resellers and auctioneers.  A quick glance at ebay showed one 3-day pass about to sell for $465 - with a few last minute bidders likely lurking.
While Coachella tickets themselves are a hot commodity, this particular surge is clearly linked with the hype of Rage Against The Machine uniting - and for good reason. Not only was Rage one of the most prolific sound makers of the 1990s, but the lyrics oozed with passion (often political) and the live shows left every ounce of energy on the stage.  The incredible response for this “one show wonder” is partially what prevented this from being only one show.
Rage Against the Machine will join Wu-Tang Clan for shows in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco as part of the “Rock The Bells” Hip Hop Festival. The LA Times announced that part of this reunion of reunions was politically driven, uniting young people against the War in Iraq and President Bush. Their political agenda isn’t the only similarity - the rebellious sound of both groups has gained the loyalty and respect from  the underground community while appealing to the masses - a formula rarely achieved in the pop culture so which so many artists’ styles succumb.
The news also comes amidst the exciting announcement that this summer, Wu-Tang Clan will release their first album since 2001.
10. Atomship - Crash of ‘47
A new sound of rock. Has its slow moments, but in no place is it boring. The band broke up, but this CD is definitely worth a listen. A new band, Atomship Down, formed from some of the old members, and is currently recording a new album.
9. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
With the release of Never Take Friendship Personal, Anberlin has really explored themselves and made a quality album, top to bottom. Every song is great, no exceptions. In their last album I don’t feel like they had their own unique style but they definitely get it across on this one. Anberlin is getting seen more by the public eye, so I was a little hesitant to put it on this list, but I couldn’t resist. A pleasure to listen to. (Anberlin’s new album, Cities, comes out February 20th)
8. Alexisonfire - Crisis
If I had to classify their kind of music, I would say Hard Rock/Screamo, but they are far from your average band. They have two singers, both with COMPLETELY different styles: George fills the “screamo” parts and Dallas does the singing. Listen to This Could Be Anywhere In The World, and you’ll understand where Alexisonfire stands. A few weak songs on the album, but the good ones are more than worth it.
7. Sinch - Sinch
Literally a band you “have to see to believe”. One of their members plays a guitar (dubbed the Ocular Noise Machine) that doesn’t make sound, but rather displays visual effects/clips/words/animation on a big screen at the concert. 433 (Hypothetical Situation) and Bitmap are my two favorite songs off the album but every song on this cd is great.
6. Our Lady Peace - Naveed
You may know Our Lady Peace, but probably have not heard this cd. This is their first album, and it has some definite classics, including The Birdman and Starseed. If you like Our Lady Peace, you need to buy this cd.
5. Scary Kids Scaring Kids - The City Sleeps In Flames
One of my favorite upcoming artists, simply because they are a full package. With a punk rock/electronic feel, Scary Kids Scaring Kids really express themselves more than most bands these days, especially when it comes to the song meanings. They have a mainstream rock type of sound, but the electronic feel sets them apart.
4. Jamison Parker - Sleepwalker
Like Scary Kids, Jamison Parker also is able to evoke a lot of meaning through his songs. I like to think of Jamison Parker as the “enhanced” version of John Mayer. Same kind of feel, except Jamison Parker uses more electric guitar, harder drums, but still keeping softer vocals. Amazing album.
3. Edgewater - South Of Sideways
Reminds me a lot of Staind, because the vocals fit perfectly with everything going on. Edgewater seems to bring everything together and just creates quality sounding music. Period. Nothing extremely special, but overall just a really nice sound.
2. Armor For Sleep - What To Do When You Are Dead What To Do When You Are Dead is an album where individually, the songs are good, but when you bring all the songs together, and listen to them one after another in the order they are supposed to be listened in, they are great. Interpreting this music is a pleasure, and the album name envokes thought in itself. This is a must-have.
1. The Working Title - About-Face
Unique sound. Perfectly fitting vocals. Catchy melodies. Meaningful songs. The Working Title’s debut album About-Face has everything a great album does. The band is young, and full of potential. I’m really looking forward to what these guys will bring us next.
Nine Inch Nails have made available 2 new songs for listen, not download, on their MySpace page. ‘Survivalism’ and ‘My Violent Heart’ are two tracks that will be on their new album.
The new album entitled ‘Year Zero’ will be available on April 6th in the UK and April 17 in the US.
Smashing Pumpkins have scheduled the release of their new album ‘Zeitgeist’ for July 7, 2007. It is the band’s first album since 2000’s ‘Machina/The Machines Of God’.
So far, the only original members officially working on ‘Zeitgeist’ are vocalist Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Neither James Iha ro D’arcy Wretzky have announced whether they will be a part of the new album.
The Pumpkins have also announced a tour, starting in June. Tour dates can be seen on the smashing pumpkins website.
