Pearl Jam postpones tour over coronavirus

NEW YORK - American rock band Pearl Jam announced late Monday they are postponing the first leg of their North American tour this spring over coronavirus concerns.

"Unfortunately, communing in large groups is a huge part of what we do as a band and the tour we've been busy planning for months is now in jeopardy... We have and will always keep the safety and well-being of our supporters as top priority," frontman Eddie Vedder said in a statement on social media.

"So it is with deep frustration and regret that we are forced to make this most unfortunate of announcements... This scheduled first leg of our PJ/Gigaton tour will need to be postponed and shows rescheduled for a later date."

The band's new album "Gigaton" is scheduled for release on March 27. They had planned to embark on a 16-date North American tour in March and April, with destinations including New York's Madison Square Garden.

"We've worked hard with all our management and business associates to find other solutions or options but the levels of risk to our audience and their communities is simply too high for our comfort level," the statement signed by Vedder and the band said. 

"Add to that we also have a unique group of passionate fans who travel far and wide. We've always been humbled by this and respect their energies and devotion. However in this case, travel is something to avoid."

He then took a jab at the Donald Trump administration: "It certainly hasn't helped that there's been no clear messages from our government regarding people's safety and our ability to go to work."

"Having no examples of our national health department's ability to get ahead of this, we have no reason to believe that it will be under control in the coming weeks ahead."

Stories of new cases flooded in across the country Monday, from a Washington DC church rector to the head of New York's ports authority, while some stores ran out of hand sanitizer and masks. Twenty-six people have now died in the United States after contracting COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

Since the worldwide COVID-19 epidemic began, Trump -- who is himself feared to have been exposed to the virus -- has veered between defending his government from accusations of incompetence to accusing Democrats and the media of exaggerating the crisis in an attempt to hurt his standing in an election year.

mdo/caw/

Agence France-Presse

EXCLUSIVE: Manila-bound Dream Theater is living the dream

MANILA -- Dream Theater bassist John Myung put it best when he said in a phone interview a few hours after their concert in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday: “Those sort of things you don’t plan. They just happen.”

Myung was referring to the band’s longevity -- they have been together for over three decades but have been recording albums since 1989 -- and the numerous accolades they have received in their stellar career.


The American progressive rock band is in the midst of an 11-month word tour called "Images, Words & Beyond" that celebrates the 25th anniversary of their second album, "Images and Words," which is universally acclaimed as one of rock music’s best albums of all time.

The tour has taken them to Europe, Asia, and by year’s end back in their playing field of North America. This coming September 25, Dream Theater will be performing for the first time in the Philippines at the Kia Theater in Cubao.

We caught up with vocalist James LaBrie and Myung a few hours before they were to depart for Sydney, Australia. LaBrie and Myung were part of the band during the recording of "Images and Words" along with guitarist John Petrucci who was unfortunately unavailable at the time of the interview.

While keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Mangini weren’t part of Dream Theater at the time (the keyboardist then was Kevin Moore with Mike Portnoy on drums), we were able to pick their thoughts about the band’s staying power as well as the classic that is "Images and Words."

“The tour is going great and the shows have been selling out,” said Myung. “Our second album was our biggest album to date (over 600,000 copies sold) and to see people come out to re-live that period of the band’s career feels good. It feels right to go back and celebrate that moment. When I look back at that record, I see it as a point in our career where everything fell into place. It was something special and unique about that record. it had a certain sound to it. the ideas we had on that record to the way it was produced to the way it came out it was a perfect time.”

For LaBrie, "Images and Words" was his first album with Dream Theater. For the band’s debut, "When Dream and Day Unite," the lead singer was Charlie Dominici while the record label was Mechanic/MCA.

When the album failed to sell, the label dropped them. The band also parted ways with Dominici.

After being without a vocalist for two years, Dream Theater auditioned some 200 vocalists before settling on LaBrie.

Recalled LaBrie of the day he joined the band: “When I came down to New York (where the band is based), I did most of the first album, 'When Dream and Day Unite.' Then we jammed on some songs from (what would eventually be) 'Images and Words.' I think we did 'Pull Me Under' and jammed on songs like 'Lovin, Touchin, Squeezing' by Journey and some others.

"It all went down great. We went through two songs and they looked at one another and said, ‘You’re our man.’ We jammed on more songs then we went out to grab a bite then went to record a demo the next day."

New record company Atco signed them and the rest is history. "Images and Words" went on to become their best-selling album and has been consistently named as one of the 100 Best Metal or Prog Rock albums of all time (they also have three other records that have made some industry or trade magazine ‘best of’ lists).

“When this album came out in 1992, it stuck out like a sore thumb,” pointed out LaBrie. “Everything else that was going on at that time was Guns 'N Roses, Alice in Chains Nirvana, Pearl Jam -- these were the bands hitting it big time and were on radio. 'Images and Words' found its path and it is quite amazing. Here we are 25 years later after several albums and we’re still doing it. It’s cool and there is a feeling of accomplishment that you did something in an industry that is unforgiving so to speak.”

Rolling Stone magazine, considered to be the bible when it comes to rock music, trumpeted the album: “'Images' laid out the various sides of the band's musical personality, from anthemic prog rock ('Take the Time') to racing, metal-tinged workouts ('Under a Glass Moon') and New Age–y power balladry ('Another Day'). But it was with gonzo epics like 'Metropolis – Part I: 'The Miracle and the Sleeper' and the 10-minute-plus closer 'Learning to Live' that Dream Theater fully flexed their musical muscle, demonstrating an awesome instrumental facility and power.”

For drummer Mike Mangini, who came on board with their 2011 opus, "A Dramatic Turn of Events," playing the "Images and Words" album in its entirety during the tour is “fun.”

“It’s simply fun,” gushed the passionate Massachusetts native. “I don’t know if that is the word to use but I am not just talking about playing the drums but I am talking about how tight the band sounds. It’s paying tribute to that music.”

LaBrie bared that their show – including the one in Manila – will be three hours long. “The first set will feature some of songs from various albums while the second set will be all from 'Images and Words.' The encore will be 'A Change of Seasons' (their 1995 EP release that feature the 23-minute title track plus some cover songs from Pink Floyd, Queen and Genesis to name a few)."

The multi-talented Rudess who is regarded as one of rock music’s premier keyboardists, admitted that it took a long time before Manila was included in their tour stops. “There are so many elements (when planning a tour),” offered Rudess. “It’s complicated but I am happy that in this particular tour we’ve opened up new places that we’re coming to see you guys. We’re also going to India for the first time.”

“We look forward to the Manila show,” concluded LaBrie.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Guitar-slinging granny shreds stereotypes

SINGAPORE -- An 81-year-old guitar-slinging Singaporean granny has shredded stereotypes to pursue her love of rock music, becoming a sought-after performer and unlikely internet sensation.

Mary Ho's late-flourishing career will reach its zenith Wednesday when she performs in front of a huge crowd at Singapore's National Day Parade, marking 52 years of the city-state's independence.

Grandmother of seven Ho only started playing the guitar at 60, fulfilling a lifelong dream to learn the instrument.

She initially taught herself from a book with an acoustic and was content strumming along and singing. But when a friend introduced her to rock star Carlos Santana's classic track "Samba Pa Ti" about a decade ago, she decided to seek some professional tutoring to shift things up a few gears.

"It was too difficult (to learn on my own) so I found a teacher," she told AFP. "But the teacher looked at me and said, 'Oh, I've never taught anyone your age before.'"

Despite not knowing how to read music, Ho was determined to learn her favorite song and practiced up to three hours a day to get the hang of it.

Since then, she's amassed a collection of more than 20 guitars, recorded her own album of Latin music and is often in demand for charity gigs.

A video of Ho playing rock classic "Need Your Love So Bad" has more than 1.1 million views on YouTube.

In fast-ageing Singapore, Ho is a poster child for how to remain active when elderly, and has featured in various campaigns encouraging senior citizens to stay active.

She admitted to feeling a little anxious ahead of Wednesday's performance before a crowd of 27,000 at the parade, which features a military tattoo before a festive show featuring local stars.

"Being my first time for such a large performance, I naturally feel very nervous," she said.

Asked if she was exhausted from all her activities, Ho simply laughed.

"Maybe it's just my nature, it's the love of doing things, learning things... I don't ever get tired," she said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Razorback Ultimate Rockstar Night

This October 17, 2015, in celebration of Razorback’s 25th year anniversary, Razorback and Radio Republic are giving away a chance for you to party like a rock star with the band at their anniversary concert!

Did you ever want to see what it’s like to hang out with the band backstage before a show? What about have an open bar where you can drink as much as you can? Even better, not worry about how you’re going to get home after a night like this?

Well, the time has come!



One lucky person is going to get the chance to win all of this for one night only!

This is what you have to do to join the contest:

- In the comments section below, tell us your favorite Razorback experience.

On Thursday, October 15, we announce the winner who will get all of this for 2 people!

* You must be 18 years old or above to join the contest



Ultimate Rockstar Night



Free Entrance for (2)

Drink all the beer you can for the Razorback 25th Concert

Backstage Access

Grab Car/Uber Ride Home

Free 12 Hour Stay at Victoria Court



Good luck to everyone!

source: radiorepublic.ph

WATCH: 1000 musicians band together to play Foo Fighters hit

A thousand musicians came together to perform Foo Fighters' 1999 hit "Learn to Fly" in an attempt to woo the Dave Grohl-led band to come and play in Cesena, Italy.

According to the organizers, the group has not been to Romagna since 1997.

"What we did here is a huge, huge miracle," the event's creator Fabio Zaffagnini explained in the video.

"One thousand rockers that came from all over the nation at their own expense, and they just did one song --your song. We ask you, the Foo Fighters, to come play for us," he added.

As of writing, the video had more than 3.5 million views.

Foo Fighters have since caught wind of the stunt and have responded on their Twitter account.

The post translates to: "We will see you soon, Cesena."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Wolfgang’s Basti Artadi goes solo; launches debut album online

Wolfgang vocalist Basti Artadi has just unleashed his first solo album entitled “Everybody Knows That the Dice Are Loaded” in an online broadcast by Radio Republic which started at 12:01 am this morning, August 1.

Basti, shorn of his hard rock bruddahs in Wolfgang, brings to his side project guitarist Marco de Leon (Paramita), bassist Nikki Tirona (Bamboo, Champ Lui Pio, Pitik) and drummer Jed Dayrit (Cheeba), collectively known as The Nice Ones.

Marco described how they got the name: “I’m a nice person. Nikki is also nice. Jed is nice too. Also, every time we finish a song for this person (they'd play for), we’d high-hive and go, 'That’s a nice one!'”





Songs written 8 years ago

In the interview conducted by Salamin’s Paolo Valenciano, which was interspersed with the band’s live performance, Basti said he compiled his solo songs eight years ago and has been in search of the right guys to play them with.

When he finally found them, it made sense for Basti and The Nice Ones to record a full-length album ASAP, his first without Wolfgang.

He also said that the nine songs that make up the album wouldn’t match Wolfgang’s music—which makes sense because why repeat yourself if you’re going to do a side project?


Taking tunes to the next level

“Actually, the songs on the album are nothing compared to what I had. I had fish bone drafts," Basti revealed in the interview. "Wala, these guys worked the damn thing out. They took it to the next level.”

A cursory listen to the online broadcast shows Basti and The Nice Ones leaning towards hard rock minus the sharp lead guitars and a lot of the bark and howl that have become hallmarks of Wolfgang’s anthemic numbers.

The music sounds fresh and better than “nice,” a look at a side of Basti few know.

source:  ph.celebrity.yahoo.com

Motley Crue Tour To Continue Despite Injury

Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil says the show must go on despite having two broken bones in his foot.

The Crue are currently on tour with Kiss and on Wednesday night at a gig in Ohio Vince injured his foot, and it was later confirmed that he had fractured two bones.

On Twitter Vince wrote 'To my fans- Thnxs 4 ur support. I have 2 fractured bones. The show must go on!! I'm sorry I won't be able to give you the show you deserve!'

Their tour still has six dates in the United States before it ends in Mexico on the 29th of September.

source: planetrock.com

Karl Roy according to Romeo Lee

MANILA, Philippines - He’s a familiar figure in the art and music scene. Anyone who’s in a band knows Romeo Lee (or at least should know him) especially at a time when the alternative music scene was just about to explode in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s—and before recording companies took notice.

Romeo Lee, who made his hyperactive rendition of “Wild Thing” famous on campus and in various rock concert gigs, is also an artist, punk hero, UP icon, concert organizer, mountaineer, and ukay-ukay connoisseur. He is also the chronicler of the alternative music and art scene. Wherever there is a concert or art opening, you’ll most likely see Lee taking snapshots with his camera. A Facebook group, Paano Mo Nakilala si Romeo Lee, has been created with various people answering the question and featuring hundreds of photos taken by Lee (or Lee posing with various people) throughout the years.

In the ‘90s, in his trademark Doc M’s, tattered Levi’s jeans and t-shirt, and his wild hair, Lee was already herding bands and staging concerts all over the country. And most of the time, even a small budget will do. But Lee and the band didn’t mind. It was all about being able to play their music, having fun, and reaching out to an audience.

Lee first met Karl Roy during those times when the latter was still doing the lead vocals for new wave band Advent Call. But even then, Roy already showed signs of being a good vocalist.

He would get Roy and his next band, P.O.T., at the now legendary ‘Elvis’ concert series hosted by Lee and organized by the UP Mountaineers. The yearly concert, a Christmas treat of sorts every December, has been going on every year for the past two decades now. It’s said to be the Woodstock of the UP Diliman campus as certified rock stars and legends (yes, Pepe Smith) along with other emerging bands would converge and just have fun with their music and audience. The most recent Elvis concert was held last year, titled Elvis Rides Again, revived after a five-year absence.

Lee found a kinship in Roy as both would get the chance to perform together onstage, Lee with his Mick Jagger-like wild dance and Roy with his equally animated movements and soulful voice would excite the audience and bring them to loud cheers and delighted howls. The natural rapport was palpable.

Off stage, however, Lee also saw another side of Roy—a compassionate and kind person who cared deeply about his music and other people. Once, Lee relates, he found Roy sleeping on a bench in Vinzons’ Hall in UP after an ‘Elvis’ concert. It was 4 a.m. He woke up Roy and brought him out to have coffee. Down with his last buck, Lee surmises, Roy even managed to give a child some money. Beyond the fierce onstage performances, his tattooed skin and body piercings, Roy says Lee, was really a good guy with a lot of heart. “Natural na mabait talaga siya,” he said, “Mami-miss ko din siya.”

Here’s a video of Romeo Lee as he remembers his happy times with Karl Roy.

source: interkasyon.com