My none-too-serious interview with Carbonstone is now live on YouTube! Give it a watch!
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The Mostly Music Podcast
I finally did it, y’all! I finally decided to start a music podcast. My sister-in-law has been encouraging me to do this for well over two years now: she says I’d be great at it because I’m so passionate about music.
I posted the idea to my Facebook page, and it was met with enthusiasm and several bands/artists looking to be interviewed. I fully intended to get the ball rolling before now, but technological issues impeded my progress. However, I am fairly certain I should have that sorted soon, and then I can begin scheduling video interviews.
Luckily, I had the chance recently to meet up with Maryland-based metal band Carbonstone and do an in-person interview. They played a show in Alabama and of course I went! As many of you know, I interviewed frontman Corey James for my blog earlier this year, and I reviewed their latest single, “Damaged Like You.”
With Carbonstone was Anoxia vocalist – and Corey’s wife – Chrystal James. She was gracious enough to agree to be interviewed as well!
Having already discussed music pretty thoroughly, I decided to have a little fun with Corey and Chrystal, and Carbonstone guitarist Neely Johns, for this interview. Since I titled my blog (and podcast) “Mostly Music,” we took on topics other than music, such as movies, dessert toppings, and places they would love to visit. But we naturally discussed a few music-related things, too.
The video is going live tonight on my new YouTube channel. For now, that’s the only place it will be. I added subtitles because both Chrystal and I had a couple of instances where we didn’t speak loudly enough, given that we were in a bar and there was a lot of background chatter. I will improve, though! I was just happy that my first in-person interview was with someone I had talked to before. It created a certain level of comfort, and I think that really comes through.
I would love it if y’all would check it out! Consider your viewing of it an early birthday gift. The video will be available at 5:30 p.m. CST.
My Chemical Romance Reunion
I know most of you following this blog have already heard the news, so I won’t spend a lot of time on that aspect of this post. In case anyone missed it, though:
On Halloween, My Chemical Romance announced that they were playing a reunion show December 20th at Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
There were people who didn’t care, and others who felt that the Rage Against the Machine 2020 reunion announcement overshadowed this one. For the most part, however, the internet seemed extremely excited. The massive influx of memes prove it. Well, that and the fact that the concert sold out in something like three minutes…
I fall into the second category — I am so happy about this and hope it leads to a full tour. I saw MCR years ago on The Black Parade World Tour, the leg during which Muse was the opening act. They played The Black Parade in its entirety, left the stage, then came back and did most of the highlights from Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to, hands down.
Whichever side you fall on, please just let the My Chem fans enjoy this!
My Lack of Posts
I didn’t share a new music post on Sunday; there have been no updates to the playlist challenge and no featured band or album of the week. I’m pretty sure there won’t be any posts next week, either. I apologize to the followers who actually pay attention, but everything kinda went to hell recently.
My grandmother has been sick and in the nursing home for a while. She was diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart failure years ago. Otherwise, though, she was healthy.
She has had stomach issues her entire life, and for the last couple of years she’s been in and out of the hospital, complaining of nausea and pain. Well, last week she was once again in the hospital for those symptoms. Her doctor told her that there was nothing else he could do unless she allowed them to do an endoscopy and actually figure out why she had those symptoms. She refused the procedure. My mom asked her why and my grandmother said she didn’t want to know. If it was serious, she felt like they couldn’t help her anyway. (Bear in mind, she’s 89.)
My mom and I both talked to her last Wednesday, right after she was released from the hospital and sent back to the nursing home. The very next day, my great aunt called and told us that she was dying.
She is in the final stages of COPD and congestive heart failure. Her lungs are filled with fluid. She is no longer responsive, though that could be because they are keeping her dosed with morphine for the pain. She has a DNR in place, so basically they can do nothing but make sure she’s comfortable.
I ask that anyone who reads this send up a prayer, positive thoughts, or whatever it is you do. This is a very difficult time, especially for my mom, and we need all the comfort we can get.
Thank you.
Escape the Fate and Slaves to Tour North America in September/October
Escape the Fate and Slaves are touring this fall with special guests Famous Last Words, Picturesque, and Set To Stun.
Dates:
- 9/6 – Las Vegas, NV – Vinyl @ Hard Rock
- 9/7 – Pomona, CA – The Glasshouse
- 9/8 – Fresno, CA – Strummers
- 9/9 – Sacramento, CA – Holy Diver
- 9/11 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
- 9/12 – Denver, CO – The Marquis Theatre
- 9/13 – Kansas City, MO – Aftershock
- 9/14 – Indianapolis, IN – Emerson Theatre
- 9/15 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache
- 9/18 – Columbus, OH – Skully’s
- 9/19 – Cleveland, OH – Foundry
- 9/20 – Erie, PA – Basement Transmissions
- 9/21 – Ottawa, ON – Mavericks
- 9/22 – Quebec City, QC – Salle Multi
- 9/23 – Albany, NY – Upstate Music Hall
- 9/24 – Portland, ME – Port City Hall
- 9/26 – Hartford, CT – The Underground
- 9/27 – Virginia Beach, VA – Shakas
- 9/28 – Jacksonville, NC – Tarheel
- 9/29 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club
- 9/30 – Spartanburg, SC – Ground Zero
- 10/3 – Orlando, FL – Soundbar
- 10/4 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
- 10/5 – Miami, FL – (The Ground) Club Space
- 10/6 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
- 10/7 – Nashville, TN – Growlers
- 10/8 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
- 10/10 – Laredo, TX – Ethos Live
- 10/11 – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
- 10/12 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey
- 10/14 – San Diego, CA – Soma
Nonpoint to Tour North America This Summer
I just saw this announcement on Letters From the Fire’s Instagram, and I’m super stoked! Nonpoint is hitting the road in August with special guests He Is Legend and, of course, Letters From the Fire.
Dates:
- 8/21 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
- 8/23 – Ft. Myers, FL – The Ranch
- 8/24 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
- 8/25 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
- 8/26 – Jacksonville, FL – 1904 Music Hall
- 8/28 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
- 8/29 – Greenville, SC – The Firmament
- 8/31 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans
- 9/2 – Lynchburg, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Fest
- 9/6 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
- 9/7 – Hartford, CT – The Webster
- 9/8 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
- 9/11 – New York City – The Gramercy Theater
- 9/14 – Syracuse, NY – Lost Horizon
- 9/15 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
- 9/16 – Easton, PA – One Center Square
- 9/19 – Nashville, TN – The Cowan
You Can Now Pre-order ‘A Dying Machine’ (The Novel)
In case you didn’t know, there is going to be a novel that tells the story of Tremonti’s concept album A Dying Machine. The book is the combined effort of Mark Tremonti and John Shirley. Pre-orders available on both Fret12.com and marktremonti.com. Items will ship later this summer.
Here’s the synopsis, via Fret12:
“When Brennan Gibbons’ beloved wife Eleanor dies, so does the renowned architect’s career. On a fluke, Brennan enters and wins the 22nd Century Lottery to be one of the few people able to buy a first generation Vessel – an artificial human, part flesh, part machine, created to be the perfect partner. Though slightly dubious, Brennan brings Stella home, with the hopes that she can help him re-engage with life, without replacing his dead wife. At first, Stella is everything Brennan could desire in a partner, but Stella is not entirely human. Her robotic parts make her better, stronger, and faster. Yet as time passes, Stella begins to develop her own personality and free will–along with a dark obsession.
At the same time, the Vessels created to be the bodyguards for the rich and powerful board members of Fusion Flesh are realizing that they too have free will. Bred to be killers and forced to serve as confidants and lovers, these Vessels realize that they have the tools necessary to fight for the rights of their kind. Led by Ares, the bodyguard of Fusion Flesh CEO Maggie Coogan; the Vessels band together to form a ruthless guerilla unit to overthrow those who control them.
A DYING MACHINE weaves a tale of two stories: that of Ares and Stella – highlighting human folly through the creation of seemingly perfect beings… Beings who ultimately want what all people want: the freedom to love and live.“
Self Help Festival 2018
The Self Help Festival is taking place on September 29th at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre in Detroit. So far, the lineup consists of Limp Bizkit, Asking Alexandria, Nothing More, Beartooth, Denzel Curry, Turnstile, Knocked Loose, and Sylar. We will keep you updated as more acts are announced!
RIP Vinnie Paul
Vinnie Paul (Pantera/HellYeah) has passed away at 54. There are no further details at the moment.
Read the story here.
Badflower Tour Dates for June and July
- 6/27 – Pueblo, CO – Brues Alehouse
- 6/28 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
- 6/29 – Lincoln, NE – The Bourbon
- 6/30 – Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
- 7/1 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
- 7/3 – Pittsburgh, PA – Smiling Moose
- 7/7 – Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar
- 7/8 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
- 7/10 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest
- 7/12 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
- 7/13 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater
- 7/15 – Washington DC – DC9
- 7/18 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
- 7/20 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
- 7/23 – Hampton, NH – Bernie’s Beach Bar
- 7/24 – Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theater
- 7/26 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe
- 7/28 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation at Intersection
- 9/28 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life
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Get your tickets here. And be sure to listen to Badflower’s latest single, “Ghost.”
Mostly Music 