Re-release of Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus. Press Release.

Posted by Headbangerwoman on January 12, 2019
Posted in: Music, Press Release. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

CARMINE APPICE’S GUITAR ZEUS

ALBUM FEATURING THE BEST & WORLD-RENOWNED GUITARISTS

RE-ISSUE + NEW SONGS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE JANUARY 18, 2019

A GUITAR ENTHUSIASTS DREAM COME TRUE!

Legendary drummer Carmine Appice is scheduled to re-release his GUITAR ZEUS project, a compilation album featuring a who’s who list of the best and world-renowned guitarists on the planet backed by his core band featuring Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) on bass, Kelly Keeling (T.S.O., M.S.G) on vocals / keys / rhythm guitar, and Appice on drums.Written and playing some well crafted timeless songs.

Originally released as two separate albums in 1995 & 1997, this new re-mastered album (by Stephen DeAcutis – Vanilla Fudge, Corey Glover, Overkill, Cyndi Lauper) combines both releases as one complete version on January 18, 2018 for the first time ever across all digital platforms, as well as feature 5 brand new songs with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Pat Travers, John Norum, and top Japanese guitarists RaiZi and Char. Select songs will also be available on a special limited-edition vinyl and CD.

Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus showcases the complete and prolific talents of many world-renown rock guitarists including Brian May, Slash, Neil Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bruce Kulick, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Paul Gilbert, Mick Mars, Richie Sambora, Zakk Wylde, Bob Daisley, Dweezil Zappa, Vivian Campbell, Leslie West, Warren DeMartini, Steve Morse, Ty Tabor (Kings X), Ted Nugent, Dug Pinnick, John Norum and others…

“The Guitar Zeus project, for me, was an amazing experience that has never been done before by a drummer ,especially with so much talent on one album! You get your money’s worth! Writing all the songs with my band (Tony & Kelly) and then picking out songs for each guitarist was a fun and time-consuming process, especially coordinating everybody’s schedules and recording sessions.

From the opening note, one can tell this is going to be something special. I consider these drum tracks to be some of the best performances in my career, topped off with working with so many great guitarists and singers. The combination of players and song selection is something special with some of the tunes is out of the ordinary and ahead of their time!”

– Carmine Appice

“As soon as I heard the track, I thought it had a very haunting quality, evoking the ‘60s, but with a very modern slant. I also found the backing track very powerful and appealing, driven by Carmine’s very recognizable style; so I was keen to play on the track straight away”

– Brian May

Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus – Tracklisting:

  • “Mothers Space” (feat. Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal) + **
  • “Gonna Rain” (feat. Richie Sambora) + **
  • “4 Miles High” (feat. Steve Morse) +
  • “Nobody Knew” (feat. Brian May) + **
  • “Where You Belong (feat. Slash) +
  • “Out of Mind” (feat. Neal Schon) + **
  • “This Time Around (feat. Yngwie Malmsteen & Dug Pinnick) + **
  • “Nothing” (feat. John Norum) +
  • “Doin’ Fine” (feat Vivian Campbell) +
  • “Under the Moon and Sun” (feat. Mick Mars / Edgar Winter) + **
  • “Code 19” (feat. Zakk Wylde) + **
  • “Days Are Nights” (feat. Ted Nugent) + **
  • “Do Ya think I’m Sexy” (Sung by Carmine, feat. Pat Travers)
  • “Angels” (feat. Char)
  • “Guitar Zeus, Pt. 1” (feat Jennifer Batten)
  • “Safe” (feat. Neal Schon)
  • “Dead Wrong” (feat. Dweezil Zappa)
  • “Trippin’ Again” (feat. Ty Tabor)
  • “Even Up the Score” (feat. Ted Nugent)
  • “Dislocated” (feat. Paul Gilbert)
  • “Stash” (feat. Stevie Salas / John McEnroe)
  • “Perfect Day” (feat. Warren DeMartini)
  • “Killing Time” (feat. Ty Tabor)
  • “So Long” (feat. Doug Aldrich)
  • “My Own Advice” (feat Kenji Kitajima)
  • “Time to Set Alarms” (feat Elliot Easton / Bob Daisley)
  • “GZ Blues” (feat. Seymour Duncan / Steven Seagal)
  • “Guitar Zeus, Pt. 2” (feat. Leslie West / Jennifer Batten)
  • “Where you Belong” (feat Paul Gilbert)
  • “Cruzin” (feat. Denny Laine)
  • “Couldn’t Be Better” (Feat. RaiZi)
  • “Score” (Feat. Ted Nugent)
  • “Snake” (feat. Bruce Kulick)

+ CD Release

** Vinyl Release

About Carmine Appice:
As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band’s 1967 psychedelic debut, inadvertently inventing Stoner Rock in the process. The Fudge had no precedent. The band was totally unique. No rock group, up until that point, had ever so lugubriously s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out well-known pop tunes. Vanilla Fudge went on to tour with Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and even had Led Zeppelin as an opening act.

Post-Fudge, Bogert and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on Van Halen & King’s X). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice.

One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances and a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career. In 1976, he joined Rod Stewart’s band, touring, recording and writing two of Stewart’s biggest hits, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” and “Young Turks.” He left Stewart to record his first solo album, Rockers, and tour Japan and North America with an all-star band. In 1978, Appice played drums on Paul Stanley’s first solo album.

In the early 1980s, he toured with Ozzy Osborne, Ted Nugent. In the mid ’80s, he formed King Kobra for two Capitol albums and international touring. In the late ‘80s, Carmine played on Pink Floyd’s “Momentary Lapse of Reason and formed Blue Murder with Whitesnake’s John Sykes and The Firm’s Tony Franklin. In the early ’90s, he pounded away soul-style for The Edgar Winter Group.

As an educator, Carmine was the first to legitimize rock drumming with his landmark book, The Realistic Rock Drum Method, selling over 400,000 copies (now in dvd and ebook format). He was the first Rock Drummer and Rock Musician to conduct instructional clinics and symposiums around the world, a tradition he continues. In appreciation for his universal appeal, Los Angeles was one of four cities that have had “Carmine Appice Day.” In 1991, he was forever immortalized via his induction in cement to the Hollywood’s Rock Walk (next to his idols, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich).

In 2016 Carmine wrote an autobiography titled “Stick It” which appeared on Amazon’s “Best Sellers” list.

As a true artist, Carmine stretches the limits of his talents, always pursuing new experiences with a broad spectrum of musicians. His high standards have earned him the respect of the world’s most admired performers as well as captivating the loyalty of legions of fans. He has reshaped the path of music education, redesigned the very instrument he plays, and recreates excitement with every performance.

Carmine Appice is, truly, A Different Drummer!

Grace Every Day.

Posted by Headbangerwoman on December 20, 2018
Posted in: Bands, Live Shows, Music, Review, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

John Corabi… Sammy Hagar…

Matt Walst!

At the height of their success these guys grabbed the reins of Motley Crue, Van Halen, and Three Days Grace, bringing us new memories, new meaning, and new music.

In the case of the latter, Walst is still up on stage alongside brother Brad, bringing it hard at every live performance.

Newer songs mixed with stayed favourites.

A little light banter mixed with an excellent acoustic interlude.

The last time Headbangerwoman saw Three Days Grace the crowd were bouncing off the walls at Rexall Place, Edmonton.

This show on December 12th 2018 at Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton was a touch smaller as were some in that crowd, (a good amount of kids present) and a little less rambunctious, but the crowd were rocking the bleachers and in full support of the headliners none the less.

A young lady on the floor was spotted signing songs to her Dad.

A member of the police presence during the last 20 minutes heard to say “this was the only good song they had”…The fans quite clearly in disagreement!

A quick Shout out to Pam Kirby of 100.3 The Bear…

Also in support of this Canadian staple of rock was Texan band Nothing More. These guys are not the boys next door, rather; Rage Against the Machine meets Jim Morrison, takes a good hit of crack and streaks repeatedly in from if the elderly neighbors house!

Producing an excellent mix of headbanging noise and attitude, and sounding great as live performers whilst doing so, this band was a pleasant surprise!

Arriving a tad late Headbangerwoman caught Bad Wolves mid-way through their third last song. A heady sound with a darker vibe, the crowd went crazy when they announced that their final song Zombie had just gone double platinum, and that all proceeds would be given to the children of late Cranberries vocalist Delores O’Riordan; who was found dead in a bathtub on January 15th 2018 due to accidental drowning on the eve of recording the song with this band.

Thanks were shouted out to General Manager Rose Slanic, who was in attendance.

Sombre. Moving.

It’s So Easy: and Other Lies….

Posted by Headbangerwoman on June 6, 2018
Posted in: Bands, Live Shows, Movies, Music, Review, Uncategorized, Visual. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

You gotta love Mr Mike Motherfuckin’ McCready, and while we should laud him for a moment here…this ain’t about him.

Another of Seattle’s greatest; Duff Motherfuckin’ McKagan, is the focus here.

After the release of a book by the same title, originally in 2011, the cinematic version, of It’s So Easy: and Other Lies (2016), now on Netflix, provides some much needed depth, and great visual additions.

Taking to the stage and baring his soul to a live audience, Duff reads from the book as his family and friends, including Slash, Nikki Sixx, and Susan Holmes-McKagan, fill in in the gaps via interviews.

McKagan is open and honest, and shines a much needed light on the very real struggles of addicts. When talking of his recovery, he becomes animated.

He also shines when he talks of his thirty plus years as a musician with bands such as The Walking Papers, Velvet Revolver, and the the more recently reunited Guns N Roses.

The band and accompanying string quartet provide a moving soundtrack to the theater performance, and serve to add theatrical emotion.

If you are a fan of music, a survivor of addiction, or you just need a decent watch, this should be near the top of your “to watch” list.

Fashion Update with Religious Experience

Posted by Headbangerwoman on October 28, 2017
Posted in: Bands, Live Shows, Music, Review, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Anyone that wasn’t in their seats for Warpaint at Rogers Place, Edmonton, on Friday October 27th 2017, missed a fucking incredible experience. The four piece from Los Angeles belted out a stunning, but not nearly long enough set. All members were given equal frontage on the stage, and that there was still plenty of room for them to mingle and vibe as each song offered a different lead vocal, and unique take on the funk that is the foundation that Warpaint are know for. Unfortunately the stage was kept quite dark throughout the set, and from the back half of the venue shadowy figures of the band were really all that anyone could see.

In case you were wondering…and you should be! From stage left; Stella, Theresa, Emily and Jenny Lee are Warpaint.

As well as playing newer tracks including New Song, older favorites Elephants, Disco//Very, and Intro; leading to Keep It Healthy, were not forgotten.

A set far too quickly over, and a fabulous choice to lead the way for the headliner.

 

Breakdown was pretty rapid, and Depeche Mode were on the stage by 20.45, a silhouette of an obviously revered Dave Gahan writhing and contorting to Going Backwards, on a riser behind the rest of the band. True to form this was a show to promote their current release, and SPIRIT is yet another excellent record by his trio, but some older members of the audience did seem disgruntled by the fact that the 80’s and 90’s hits that shot the band to fame, were not being covered during the early part of the show, and they ignorantly sat down playing with their cell phones! Of course true fans have supported the band throughout, and have kept up to date with all of the music that has been released during their four decade career….and rightly so, because it’s all absolutely fucking mind blowing.

Gahan has a history of being a troubled soul, but FUCK. Just FUCK. If Rudolph Nureyev and Jane Fonda produced a child, and named him Freddie Mercury, but he had an alter ego driven by nitromethane, here is the result. Demanding adulation throughout the two hour and fifteen minute show, and absolutely deserving of it, this guy is a mother fucking artist, he’s a singer, he’s a dancer, he’s a performer, he’s the man that words are not sufficient to describe him.

Of course there are other members of the band, and mainstay Martin Gore showed his metal by fronting the vocals on three songs during the show, while Gahan was taking a break. Gore has a more than excellent voice, and his musical contribution is absolutely key to the Depeche Mode sound, but he isn’t the presence that is Gahan, and as it became glaringly apparent through the show, there is no other frontman, or woman, alive on earth at this point in time that is even coming close to what he is.

Let’s not forget that this tour is running for ten months, with four more months to push…these guys will produce this show one hundred and six times, and yet they are giving 250% of their all each time, and then squeezing the audience for just a little more. Being onstage, performing, putting on a show, is an obvious spiritual occurrence for Gahan. He is in the zone, but this is not a selfish act. This is about everyone in the room, about giving and receiving…and it is so much more of a religious experience than anyone could ever get in the village church..Unless Gahan happens to step in for your local vicar and become your Personal Jesus!   

The set list was put together with a lot of thought, with a few slower numbers peppered through, and an unexpected cover of David Bowies Heroes added to slow the encore and make you take stock, but also with enough older “popular” songs in the final eight to get the more mature folk in the audience off of their phones and onto their feet.

If you weren’t blown away by this show in it’s entirety, and you are not as sad as fuck that it’s over today, then you need to check in and get on board, because you got way more than you paid for . This shit is the real deal.

 

KG Headbangerwoman Oct 28 2017

 

Rock n Roll in a Rat Hole

Posted by Headbangerwoman on August 25, 2017
Posted in: Bands, Music, New Releases, Review. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

On the very weekend that Hurricane Harvey was battering the coast of Texas, Janet Gardner and her band were similarly assaulting the ears of music fans the world over.

Somehow, in between live appearances with her other band Vixen, Gardner and her writing partner, guitarist Justin James: who just so also happens to be Gardner’s husband, have put together some really fucking kick ass noise for the self titled Janet Gardner CD.

Right from the phase out of the kooky carnie music intro, Rat Hole punches a proverbial second hole right through the fucking ozone layer.

janetgardner

By the end of the song you’ll be left feeling like CPR was performed on you really badly, and for a very long time, even though you didn’t need it, and just because the EMT felt like he could get away with doing it….Then you’ll beg him to do it again, because the rush is so fucking amazing.

If getting a degree in dental hygiene: Gardner did this in 2005…is capable of re-energizing a musician to this calibre, we have a few names that we think we should forward to dental school.

Rarely in the past two years has Headbangerwoman listened to a new song from start to end, and over and over….but this fucker grabbed her by the hair and pressed her face hard up against the speakers, allowing her release only when she thought she might pass out.  Gardner’s voice is seductive and moody, more so than on any Vixen track. An accidental evolution? Or perhaps the result of some serious shenanigans with James? The chemistry between the two on the Rat Hole video is impossible to avoid.

Hippycrite is the second listed song and has a Slave to the Grind sound; with a slow, heavy bass riff and oily guitar, of course devoid of nose rings, chains and cigarettes. Head banging is a must, grinding your partner is a requirement.

Let It Be Over is an environmental and humanitarian cry for help. Well written, well placed. Could and should be used by the Obama Foundation or a similar outfit, to help bring forward awareness to the mess we are in as a species.

Candle is a beautiful ballad. Heartfelt lyrics…telling and revealing of a story about lack of confidence, and the desire to be there for someone.

Acoustic number Best Friend is another beautiful piece, again, telling and quite obviously documenting the story of the Garner/James romance.

There are ten tracks total on this cd. Every single one is no less than amazing.  An absolute stunning result for a new outfit.

A record released because of love…and great dental hygiene.

 

KG Headbangerwoman Aug 28 2017