GWAR Guitarist Cory Smoot Found Dead
The lead guitarist for the heavy metal band GWAR was found dead Thursday on the band's tour bus following a concert in Minneapolis, according to the band's manager and record label.
Manager Jack Flanagan and record label Metal Blade said Cory Smoot's body was discovered Thursday before the bus crossed into Canada on the Richmond, Va.-based band's tour. It's unclear what caused Smoot's death or how old he was. A person who answered the phone at the Smoot family residence in Richmond declined to comment. Flanagan and Metal Blade's Kelli Malella, vice president of publicity, said they had no further information to release about Smoot.
Dave Brockie, frontman for the Richmond, Virginia-based group, has issued the following statement:
"It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR's current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long-term plans. At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today. We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss. A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him."
Cory Smoot handled production duties on Gwar's latest two albums "Lust In Space" and "Bloody Pit of Horror." He also owned and operated his own recording studio, Karma Studios, where several of GWAR's albums had been recorded.
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NAPALM DEATH: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Unveiled
British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH are putting the finishing touches on their 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"). This new piece of brutality is entitled "Utilitarian", and it will hit stores on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork.
Read the rest at Blabbermouth
=============
now what??
Original BLACK SABBATH Lineup To Make Mystery Announcement Next Week
The main page of BLACK SABBATH's official web site has updated with the date 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011) below the band's classic logo. All four original members of the legendary heavy metal group — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — will attend a special announcement ceremony that day. Former BLACK FLAG frontman Henry Rollins will host the private event, which will be held at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California — the same venue where the band made its Los Angeles debut on November 11, 1970 (41 years ago), opening for ALICE COOPER — at exactly 11:11 a.m.
Iommi told U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine that the four original members of BLACK SABBATH recently got together in a rehearsal room for the first time in years, adding, "[We] played some of the old stuff and to be together again was great. We're all on good terms and we're at a stage where we can play together again. It would be good if we could and I suppose it's the closest it's been to be able to do that. It could happen!"
Read the rest at Blabbermouth
=============
music history for november 4th:
In 1961, Bob Dylan makes his debut at the Carnegie Chapter Hall in New York City. Most of the fifty people in attendance are his friends who paid two bucks to get in. Dylan was paid twenty dollars for the night.
In 1963, the Beatles topped the bill at The Royal Variety Show at The Prince of Wales Theatre, London. With the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret in the audience, this was the night when John Lennon made his famous remark, “For the people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewelry.” John would later say "I was fantastically nervous, but I wanted to rebel a bit and that was the best I could do."
In 1972, eight weeks after entering the Billboard Hot 100, "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash claims the top spot. It made #5 in the UK.
In 1974, even though he was the one who was the most opposed to touring in the final years of The Beatles, George Harrison became the first to set out on a solo tour when he appeared in Vancouver, Canada with Billy Preston. It will be a troublesome show for him as his voice is ravaged after LP sessions and tour rehearsals. The concert and the rest of the tour played in front of thin crowds.
In 1977, 'The Last Waltz,' the movie of The Band’s final concert, premiered in New York. The Martin Scorsese movie also featured Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.
In 1978, after returning from a two year hiatus, Anne Murray topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the biggest selling single of her career, "You Needed Me". It was her fourth US Top Ten single and made #22 in the UK. Anne would go on to put six more songs on Billboard's Top 40 Pop chart.
In 1978, Boston played their first show in the city of Boston.
In 1984, Prince opened the North American portion of his Purple Rain tour with seven nights at Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit, MI.
In 1991, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, The Isley Brothers, The Yardbirds, and Sam & Dave are elected to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
In 1992, Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin sign a $39 million publishing contract with Warner-Chappell music.
In 1994, Fred Smith, guitarist for the MC5 on their Shock-Rock hit "Kick Out The Jams", died of heart failure at the age of 46.
In 1997, after an 18 month delay, Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' "The Pet Sounds Sessions", a 4-CD boxed set which details the creation of The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds". Overseen by producer Brian Wilson, the collection allows the listener to hear a capella vocals from the master tapes and alternate mixes of the songs.
In 2007, the Eagles went to #1 on the UK album chart for the first time ever with Long Road Out of Eden – 33 years after their debut album On the Border. This was the group’s first full studio album since The Long Run in 1979.
birthdays today (among others): Sean Combs (aka P. Diddy, Diddy, Puff Daddy) (42), Chuck Mangione (71), Harry Elston (Friends of Distinction) (73) and Chris Difford (Squeeze) (57)
The lead guitarist for the heavy metal band GWAR was found dead Thursday on the band's tour bus following a concert in Minneapolis, according to the band's manager and record label.Manager Jack Flanagan and record label Metal Blade said Cory Smoot's body was discovered Thursday before the bus crossed into Canada on the Richmond, Va.-based band's tour. It's unclear what caused Smoot's death or how old he was. A person who answered the phone at the Smoot family residence in Richmond declined to comment. Flanagan and Metal Blade's Kelli Malella, vice president of publicity, said they had no further information to release about Smoot.
Dave Brockie, frontman for the Richmond, Virginia-based group, has issued the following statement:
"It is with a sense of profound loss and tragedy that the members of GWAR must announce the passing of their longtime guitarist and beloved friend Cory Smoot, also known to thousands of metal fans worldwide as Flattus Maximus. Cory was found deceased this morning as the band prepared for a border crossing. There is no word as to the cause of death and the members of GWAR are completely shocked and devastated that this has occurred. At this point there is no word on arrangements and the disposition of the remainder of GWAR's current North American tour, nor are there any details regarding long-term plans. At this point we are just dealing with the loss of our dear friend and brother, one of the most talented guitar players in metal today. We ask that our fans and the media be respectful of our request for privacy for those that have suffered this terrible loss. A full statement will be coming in the next day or so, in the meantime please give your thoughts and your prayers to Cory, his family, and all the people that love him."
Cory Smoot handled production duties on Gwar's latest two albums "Lust In Space" and "Bloody Pit of Horror." He also owned and operated his own recording studio, Karma Studios, where several of GWAR's albums had been recorded.
=============
NAPALM DEATH: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Unveiled
British/American grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH are putting the finishing touches on their 14th studio album (excluding the cover album "Leaders Not Followers"). This new piece of brutality is entitled "Utilitarian", and it will hit stores on February 27 in Europe and February 28 in North America via the band's longtime partner, Century Media Records. The cover artwork (see below) perfectly fits the album's theme and was created by the Danish artist Frode Sylthe, who is also responsible for THE HAUNTED's "rEVOLVEr" artwork. Read the rest at Blabbermouth
=============
now what??
Original BLACK SABBATH Lineup To Make Mystery Announcement Next Week
The main page of BLACK SABBATH's official web site has updated with the date 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011) below the band's classic logo. All four original members of the legendary heavy metal group — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — will attend a special announcement ceremony that day. Former BLACK FLAG frontman Henry Rollins will host the private event, which will be held at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California — the same venue where the band made its Los Angeles debut on November 11, 1970 (41 years ago), opening for ALICE COOPER — at exactly 11:11 a.m.
Iommi told U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine that the four original members of BLACK SABBATH recently got together in a rehearsal room for the first time in years, adding, "[We] played some of the old stuff and to be together again was great. We're all on good terms and we're at a stage where we can play together again. It would be good if we could and I suppose it's the closest it's been to be able to do that. It could happen!"
Read the rest at Blabbermouth
=============
music history for november 4th:
In 1961, Bob Dylan makes his debut at the Carnegie Chapter Hall in New York City. Most of the fifty people in attendance are his friends who paid two bucks to get in. Dylan was paid twenty dollars for the night.
In 1963, the Beatles topped the bill at The Royal Variety Show at The Prince of Wales Theatre, London. With the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret in the audience, this was the night when John Lennon made his famous remark, “For the people in the cheaper seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’d just rattle your jewelry.” John would later say "I was fantastically nervous, but I wanted to rebel a bit and that was the best I could do."
In 1972, eight weeks after entering the Billboard Hot 100, "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash claims the top spot. It made #5 in the UK.
In 1974, even though he was the one who was the most opposed to touring in the final years of The Beatles, George Harrison became the first to set out on a solo tour when he appeared in Vancouver, Canada with Billy Preston. It will be a troublesome show for him as his voice is ravaged after LP sessions and tour rehearsals. The concert and the rest of the tour played in front of thin crowds.
In 1977, 'The Last Waltz,' the movie of The Band’s final concert, premiered in New York. The Martin Scorsese movie also featured Joni Mitchell, Dr. John, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.
In 1978, after returning from a two year hiatus, Anne Murray topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the biggest selling single of her career, "You Needed Me". It was her fourth US Top Ten single and made #22 in the UK. Anne would go on to put six more songs on Billboard's Top 40 Pop chart.
In 1978, Boston played their first show in the city of Boston.
In 1984, Prince opened the North American portion of his Purple Rain tour with seven nights at Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit, MI.
In 1991, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, The Isley Brothers, The Yardbirds, and Sam & Dave are elected to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
In 1992, Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin sign a $39 million publishing contract with Warner-Chappell music.
In 1994, Fred Smith, guitarist for the MC5 on their Shock-Rock hit "Kick Out The Jams", died of heart failure at the age of 46.
In 1997, after an 18 month delay, Capitol Records releases The Beach Boys' "The Pet Sounds Sessions", a 4-CD boxed set which details the creation of The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds". Overseen by producer Brian Wilson, the collection allows the listener to hear a capella vocals from the master tapes and alternate mixes of the songs.
In 2007, the Eagles went to #1 on the UK album chart for the first time ever with Long Road Out of Eden – 33 years after their debut album On the Border. This was the group’s first full studio album since The Long Run in 1979.
birthdays today (among others): Sean Combs (aka P. Diddy, Diddy, Puff Daddy) (42), Chuck Mangione (71), Harry Elston (Friends of Distinction) (73) and Chris Difford (Squeeze) (57)
