Month: August 2021

Metallica have released a trailer for their brand new podcast series that they will be premiering on August 20th. ‘The Metallica Podcast: Volume 1’ looks back at The Black Album for its 30th anniversary, and will include eight episodes featuring each member of the band as well as former bassist Jason Newsted and producer Bob Rock, among nearly 40 guests.

According to the podcast announcement, the series will feature “never-before-heard demo recordings, candid conversations, and much more.”  The first episode launches ahead of the special 30th anniversary remastered and expanded reissue of the “Black Album” on September 10th.

You can listen to the Metallica Podcast at your streaming service of choice – here.

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Kiss have announced their upcoming residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The band will perform a total of 12 shows running from December through February 2022.

Said Gene Simmons: “There are matters of the heart and then there are matters of the pocket, and it’s nice when they both converge, They pay well, and that’s reason enough. But it’s also easier for the band because you don’t have the wear and tear of traveling.” Regarding COVID-19 restrictions, Kiss haven’t implemented a vaccine mandate for their concerts, however they will be taking precautions to ensure the safety of the band, crew members and fans and won’t be hosting their usual backstage meet-and-greets.

Kiss are also about to resume their End of the Road tour which extends into 2022 and will run concurrently with the residency. Said Simmons: “We are planning lots of surprises for Vegas, which nobody’s seen yet. We’re in the middle of putting that together.”

General tickets for the Las Vegas residency will be available on Aug. 20 at the link here: Ticketmaster.com/KISSVegas.

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Bob Dylan is being sued by a woman who alleges she was “sexually molested and abused” by the musician at 12 years old, back in 1965. The musician (born Robert Allan Zimmerman) was accused in a lawsuit filed in NY of sexually abusing a child at his Chelsea Hotel apartment in 1965 after giving her both drugs and alcohol.

The lawsuit states that the now-80-year-old Dylan groomed the girl — who filed the lawsuit under the initials J.C. — for six weeks prior to the assault, “leaving her emotionally scarred and psychologically damaged to this day.” The lawsuit states that Dylan, then 24 years old, “exploited his status as a musician” to gain her trust “as part of his plan to sexually molest and abuse J.C.”  J.C,  now 65 and living in Connecticut, alleges that she suffers from depression, anxiety and other psychological damages of “permanent and lasting natures” that have “incapacitated” her from her regular activities. She’s seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.

A spokesperson for Dylan denied the allegations, saying in a statement: “The 56-year-old claim is untrue and will be vigorously defended.” In a response to the spokesperson’s statement, J.C.’s attorney Daniel Isaacs said: “We look forward to seeing them in a court of law. The complaint speaks for itself. We will prove the allegations in a court of law.”

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Korn canceled their concert on Saturday in Scranton, PA because of a positive COVID-19 case within the band’s camp. The band’s official Twitter account made the announcement, tweeting: “Attention: SCRANTON, PA. Unfortunately, there has been a confirmed COVID-19 case within the Korn camp. The safety of our artists, crew, venue staff, and fans is our top priority, so we must postpone the show tonight. We’re deeply sorry for this unfortunate last-minute news, but please hold on to your tickets while we work to get your rescheduled date-sorted ASAP with Live Nation and the Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Thank you so much for being so understanding, and stay safe out there. We’ll be back soon.”

Mammoth WVH has also canceled two performances, as one of the band’s teams tested positive for COVID-19.
Wolfgang Van Halen tweeted: “Mammoth WVH will not be performing tonight in Missoula, MT or Monday night in Commerce City, CO out of an abundance of caution due to a member of our touring personnel testing positive for COVID-19. All band members and other crew have tested negative at this time. We apologize to those fans we won’t be seeing over the next couple of shows. Thanks to everyone for their support and we can’t wait to be back when it is 100% safe for everyone to do so.”

Pop Evil were also forced to cancel their Sunday show in Denver. Their statement read: “One of the members of our team has tested positive for COVID-19. Out of concern for everyone in our organization and the safety of our fans, we will be postponing tonight’s show. We will test again tomorrow to determine the status of our upcoming shows.”

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The Killers have released their seventh studio album, ‘Pressure Machine,’ along with a music video for the song “Quiet Town.” Quiet Town is an animated video that takes place in Nephi, Utah, the small Southwestern town where The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers lived from ages 10 to 16.  The album Pressure Machine also features 10 other songs, including “Runaway Horses” featuring Phoebe Bridgers.

The Killers will also kick-off a new North American tour beginning Aug. 19 in Vancouver, B.C. in support of Pressure Machine.  You can take a look at the video for ‘Quiet Town’ – here.

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As Delta variant cases surge across the country, concert promoter Live Nation is tightening its COVID restrictions. According to Rolling Stone, Live Nation will be requiring proof of vaccination or negative test results at live events beginning this fall. Live Nation previously announced it would allow artists to determine their own coronavirus protocols, but decided to update its policy after last month’s Lollapalooza, which required all attendees to provide a vaccine card or proof of a negative test result.

Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement to Rolling Stone: “Vaccines are going to be your ticket back to shows …We will be following the model we developed for Lollapalooza and requiring this for artists, fans, and employees at Live Nation venues and festivals everywhere possible in the US.” The requirement will go into effect on Oct. 4, which is also the deadline for all Live Nation employees to be fully vaccinated if they wish to attend events or go into the company’s offices. Live Nation will incentivize its workers with paid days off for each vaccine appointment.

AEG announced a stricter mandate earlier this week, saying all concert-goers and staff members must provide proof of full vaccination by Oct. 1. Negative test results will not be accepted.

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