Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:28:46 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/ Rock Blvd en-us http://www.rockblvd.com/images/logo.gif http://www.rockblvd.com/ vartan@RockBlvd.com http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=52 Elvis Aaron Presley, in the humblest of circumstances, was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager. In 1954, he began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:28:46 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51 Contributed By: Nicktunelabmusic.com Purchase @ Amazon.com Release Date: August 5th, 2008 via Eleven Seven Trapt is: Chris Brown (vocals) Robb Torres (guitar) Peter Charell (bass) Aaron Montgomery (drums) Overview: What do you get when your major label debut goes platinum? Why the opportunity to record a second album, that’s what. Armed with the shiny, framed version of ‘Man Mows Lawn‘, excuse me, their eponymous debut, Trapt was studio bound again. Enter summer 2005, when Trapt’s new single “Stand Up” hit the airwaves, the first single from Warner Bros. album numero dos, entitled ‘Someone in Control‘. Its September 05 release date came and went unceremoniously, and despite the chart success of “Stand Up” and a heralded fall headlining tour, Trapt found themselves “disconnected” from their duties with Warner Bros. Records. So what does a band do now? Why they put out a live album, that’s what. And so Trapt recorded a set, added a couple of hot, brand new cuts for good measure, and won over Eleven Seven Records, who released the aptly titled ‘Trapt Live!‘ in September 2007. So what does Trapt do for an encore? Why they track an entire new record, that’s what. The band played tease for much of 2008, leaking bits and pieces of the album onto the interweb to get ‘em all salivating in anticipation. But the time has come to unveil the latest Trapt concoction, a brew they call ‘Only Through the Pain‘. Listen for first single “Who’s Going Home With You Tonight” on rock radio and catch the band on this summer’s Cruefest (but make sure your Hepatitis C vaccinations are up to date beforehand, of course). Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:57:57 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=44 Daron Malakian wants to make something perfectly clear. Scars on Broadway is not some “side project” he’s doing until he and the rest of System of a Down get back together. The former SOAD guitarist is completely serious about his new band and all that goes along with it. Which includes a debut album, (which is released July 29th), and an upcoming tour, that will embark soon after the record’s release. According to Malakian, this record is an evolution from where he left off with SOAD, and he hopes a lot his diverse musical influences (The Beatles, Van Halen, Slayer and Sex Pistols just to name a few) can be heard throughout. Scars debut has everything from punk, classic rock, and the ever present Middle Eastern influence as well. John Dolmayan (SOAD) is on board as the drummer, which Malakian is pleased about because of the history they share. But aside from that, everything else about Scars on Broadway is fresh and brand new. Malakian recently stated “Sometimes we tell people, We’re Scars on Broadway.” ‘And they’re like, ‘Oh I never heard of it.’ Which is fine with him. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:06:38 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=43 Motley Crue's New Album, 'Saints Of Los Angeles,' Out June 17; Crue Fest Tour Dates Motley Crue also announced the upcoming release of Saints of Los Angeles, their first new studio album recorded with all of the original band members in over a decade, hitting stores on June 17th. The band premiered the brand new single, "Saints Of Los Angeles," at yesterday's press conference in LA and performed it again last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The song includes backing vocals by Josh Todd (Buckcherry), Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), James Michael (SIXX:A.M.) and Chris Brown (Trapt). In an industry first, the song was also made available as a download for the Rock Band video game simultaneously with its single release. Listen to "Saints of Los Angeles" Lyrically, the new album follows the story of the band's NY Times best-selling memoir The Dirt, a no-holds-barred tell-all that features every gritty detail of the band's exploits as one of the world's biggest rock bands. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:03:23 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=42 "I The Whisky-A-Go-Go lurks beyond the storied glam and gloss of the Sunset Strip. It's a dark and dank little club that sits at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and San Vicente. Other than its large neon sign and prominent marquis, there's nothing flashy about it. It's dimly lit, and it's got a distinct, strange smell that only history and stale beer could foster. Yet, at the same time, it harbors an immense creative spirit. This is where Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses and The Doors all cut their teeth live. There's more rock n' roll history associated with this building than anywhere else on the Strip. The Whisky has a supernatural vibe from years of classic bands gracing its stage. That dark, creative spirit is characteristic of the "real" Sunset Strip, beyond the hairspray, rock star rehab stints and Behind the Music façade. That creativity is also characteristic of Daron Malakian, and he feels right at home at the Whisky. A Los Angeles native and diehard music fan, Daron's always felt summoned to the Whisky's stage. System of a Down would go from that very stage to the forefront of hard rock. Through his strangely entrancing vocals and schizophrenic, polyrhythmic guitar playing, Daron helped the band become one of the genre's most important acts. After System carved their multi-platinum legacy, the band went on an indefinite hiatus after headlining OZZfest 2006. However, once Daron's new band Scars on Broadway hit the Whisky stage for their debut show in April, it was apparent that he's been far from quiet. As he ended the set by belting out the lines, "They say it's all about to end," everyone in the room could feel his rebirth on that stage. Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:28:39 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=40 On Monday night, singer-guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan of System of a Down gave fans another vivid glimpse of their new band, Scars on Broadway, at a special show at Los Angeles Union Station, a 1930s-era landmark in the band’s hometown. On the eve of today’s release of their self-titled Interscope debut, Scars on Broadway performed a 40-minute set in the monumental north wing of the train station, as fans moshed on a dancefloor of polished marble and clay. It was only the band’s ninth show ever, following a brief promotional tour of Europe and sets at Coachella, KROQ’s Weenie Roast, a benefit in L.A. with Metallica, and its unannounced April debut at the Whisky a-Go-Go. In the band’s trailer before the show, drummer John Dolmayan said, “We’ve got something special. We’ve got a good live vibe. The energy is crazy. We’re playing with three guys that are very hungry, and we’re very hungry.” Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:39:08 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=39 Scars On Broadway, with their new debut album which was released on July 28th in European Countries and July 29th here in the States via Interscope has gone beyond the expectations of many. Ever since I purchased the CD I can't seem to get enough of listening to it over and over again. It seems that each song is etched in my brain now and I find myself singing them in my head throughout the day. This is by far the best rock album I have heard in a long time. The band is tight, the drums are thunderous (what else would you expect from John Dolmayan),the guitar riffs are catchy and melodic and the vocals are perfect. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:19:39 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=38 "I DON'T get it when people complain that baseball games are too long," says Daron Malakian, watching the action from a seat behind home plate at Dodger Stadium during one of the team's recent home games. "This is my favorite place in the world. I don't care how long it goes, I'll be here to the end." This most wholesome and mainstream of settings probably isn't the place you'd picture as Malakian's chosen refuge, given the apocalyptic, dissident, disillusioned, angry, irreligious scenarios that belch from the self-titled debut album by his new band, Scars on Broadway. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:06:22 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=35 FAIR TO MIDLAND TO OPEN FOR SMASHING PUMPKINS IN SAN FRANCISCO EXTENSIVE FALL TOUR WITH CHEVELLE CONFIRMED Fair to Midland's dynamic and riveting live performances are being talked about all across the US and overseas. And on July 15 and 16 at the Fillmore Theater in San Francisco, Fair to Midland will open for The Smashing Pumpkins at the first two shows of the Pumpkins' West Coast residency. In addition to just releasing their first major label debut, Fables From a Mayfly: What I Say Three Times is True (Serjical Strike/Universal Republic), which debuted at #2 last week on Billboard's New Artist chart, Fair to Midland has also performed at this year's Coachella, Bamboozle, Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park and Download festivals. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:08:40 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=33 http://redmusiconline/ If you guys haven't taken notice of this band yet, take a look and listen!!! Bad Ass Sound with attitude that you don't want to miss...Read their bio here or click on the link above for more!!! Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:21:11 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=30 Body Count Body Count Ice-T is back with a new record from Body Count, whose sound influenced a whole generation of rock/rap artists including Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rage Against The Machine and dozens of others.  The band's self-titled debut in 1992 included the controversial track “Cop Killer” which was protested vehemently by conservatives, the religious right, the NRA, police activist groups and the FBI. After losing three of Body Count's original members and trying to record a new album throughout one tragedy after another, Ice and Ernie C reformed the band and recorded Murder 4 Hire , first release in nearly 10 years, out on metal label Escapi Music.  They have also released a live DVD shot at the Troubadour in LA. “For me, honestly,” says Ice, “after something like that, you can either come to a dead stop or you can go on...It was make-or-break. The key essence of Body Count is it's a band made up of friends. It's not about going out and hiring the best drummer or the best guitarist. If we don't know you, you can't be in the band.” info@metaljudgment.com Tue, 14 Nov 2006 07:26:36 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=27 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:12:57 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=26 Hey gang here's a band to check out, the apparent talent that is incorporated in the four members of Mercenaries is embedded in their overwhelming ambition. This same ambition is what created the Mercenaries in the beginning. In November 2001, Hovannes Donelyan (drummer) met Harout Ichlokmanian (rhythm guitar, lead vocals) through a mutual friend at a party in Glendale , California . Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:58:07 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=24 Hey if your in town make sure you catch Red Snow's live performance on July, 20 2006 at the Troubadour 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 Cost: 10 Show starts at 8:00 PM make sure your there and show your support. Also playing: Aviatic and Slow Motion Reign Mon, 17 Jul 2006 23:27:28 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=23 Red Snow has evolved into one of L.A.s unique hard rock bands and continues to create music on many different levels. Lina Mantashian fuels the newly evolved Red Snow on vocals. She is well known throughout Europe and is the newest element/member adding a new found energy and spirit to the band. Vahe Marzbetuny is often praised as a lyrical, soulful guitarist and is the heart and soul of the band. He has recorded with Serj Tankian and Arto Tuncboyadjian on the CD entitled "Serart" on a song called "Devils Wedding". Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:32:36 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=22 Did you hear the one about the Mexican, the Armenian, the Colombian and the Jew? No? Well then. Listen up. Because they're too sincerely modest to do it, refusing even jokingly to refer to themselves as headliners of anything, I'ma have to roll up my sleeves for this one. Clear my throat and, ahem, kick the plagiarism: Who's to say? Maybe it's enough for you. After all, they're playing the game on a shiny hardwood surface, and it moves with such beauty and ferocity across that surface. Perhaps you can stick your hand on a radiator and know all you need to know about heat. But if only you could hear, in the silence between the breakneck double-bass beat and arching high notes. If only you could see what brought each of these four people to this stage, what makes them roll and rock and soar across it, then you would know the true beauty of the music. Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:54:03 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21 About The Author: Ben Myers is the author of three acclaimed I.M.P. biographies: the best-selling Green Day: American Idiots & the New Punk Explosion; Muse: Inside The Muscle Museum and John Lydon: The Sex Pistols, PiL & Anti-Celebrity. He has published a number of short stories and poems and his debut novel The Book Of Fuck was published in 2004. He also runs a record label, Captains Of Industry. The author interviewed System Of A Down at their first ever UK headline show in 1999 and has been a huge fan ever since. “Myers’ work is always well-researched, passionate and grounded in reality. He builds a picture of a band with deft expertise.” Record Collector “You will find yourself getting caught up in Myers’ enthusiasm for his subject, immensely thorough.” Classic Rock Key selling points - Contains exclusive new interviews by the author. - System Of A Down are one of the world’s biggest metal bands, the world’s biggest political band and soon-to-be one of the world’s most famous groups. - All members are Armenian-American – a first for any Western rock band. Thus the book is crammed with contextual/historical analysis, potted histories of nu-metal, politics in music, the LA music scene and its surrounding subculture. - The nature of their genre-defying music – blending metal, punk, hardcore, Eastern European folk, rap, gypsy music – means this book can appeal to a wide-ranging of readership. Published by Independent Music Press on April 30th, 2006 ISBN: 0-9549704-6-2 234mm x 153mm Paperback 208 pages incl. 8pp photos £12.99 ** FOR REVIEW AND/OR COMPETITION COPIES, PLEASE CONTACT MARTIN ROACH: info@impbooks.com ** www.benmyers.com www.myspace.com/bigbenmyers Wed, 26 Apr 2006 09:30:46 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=19 I can honestly say that Red Snow is one of the most unique, talented, dedicated, amazing and underrated bands out there today. It is a surprise to me that a major record label has not picked up on such a band. I believe Red Snow should have been a household name by now and getting the recognition that is long overdue to them. Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:10:59 -0700 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15 Armenian world music artist Gor Mkhitarian plunges headfirst into the genre of mainstream alternative American pop for his eclectic debut eponymous debut, GOR. Having recorded three successful solo albums in his native Armenian tongue, GOR radically switches directions by fusing the ethnic elements of his past with the new Los Angeles multicultural imprint of today by presenting all new works in English. Thu, 30 Mar 2006 19:40:32 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=13 Opus Däi cultivates a rich and varied aural landscape - a place where diverse sounds blend into a singular musical force. Driving and aggressive yet gentle in spirit, an epic and graceful warmth stokes the fires that burn brightly for Opus Däi. Drawing on influences from Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley to Tool and The Mars Volta, Opus Däi weave a broad musical tapestry. Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:45:38 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11 Discussion with death-row inmate airing Friday, March 24, 2006 Tom Morello and Serj Tankian are best known for their rock and roll accomplishments, but their latest triumph is a journalistic one. The co-founders of the Axis of Justice political organization recently scored a rare interview with Mumia Abu-Jamal, the Pennsylvania activist and author who has been on death row since his controversial murder trial in 1982. Wed, 22 Mar 2006 17:45:57 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10 His son has got him covered. System of a Down's artist of choice is Vartan Malakian, the guitarist's dad. On the walls of a quiet Spanish-style house in suburban Glendale hang two paintings that, although largely unknown to art critics, are million-sellers. Titled "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize," the works are the source images for the covers of two albums released in 2005 by the hard-rock band System of a Down. The originals might constitute an odd choice of home décor for Vartan and Zepur Malakian except that Vartan, 59, is the artist who created them, and the couple's son, Daron, is System's guitarist, co-vocalist and principal tunesmith. Tue, 14 Mar 2006 23:16:43 -0800 http://www.rockblvd.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3 Care to take a guess about who were talking about? If you guessed System of a Down you are absolutely right. The LA based band SOAD has been setting standards in the Rock scene for several years now, they have inspired many of today’s top bands and new bands who are just starting out from their garage. Armed with the ability to fuse rock, pop and world music all in one to create tunes that can restart a failing heart, System of a Down has become a legendary force to be reckoned with. Tue, 07 Mar 2006 07:25:57 -0800