MK ULTRA

The surviving member of The Doors are remembering their bandmate, Ray Manzarek, who died Monday in Rosenheim, Germany. The keyboardist, who was a founding member of The Doors, lost his battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74.

Both drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger have spoken up about the loss, and while doing so, remembered Doors frontman Jim Morrison, who died in 1971.

Densmore wrote: “There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison’s words. Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother.”

Krieger posted the following statement: “Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison were the two most unusual people I have ever known. It didn’t take long to realize this about Jim. He was obviously a genius, and he worked hard at being different. Did a good job of it too. Ray on the other hand, was a late bloomer. I guess it took all of his [and our ] energies to keep Jim in line. The real Ray didn’t appear until after Jim was gone. He was constantly doing projects with different people, producing, playing with different poets. He always saw the good side of people, and that was his genius. He was the only guy at UCLA that saw something good about Jim. Everyone else thought of Jim as a phony or worse. He saw the genius of Jim’s words and the rest is history. Ray sure did influence my life, and I hope yours to. I’ll always be grateful to John for introducing me to Ray and Jim, and I’ll never forget them.”

Longtime NIN Collaborator Will Replace Eric Avery on Upcoming Tour

SOURCE: Rolling Stone

Trent Reznor’s new Nine Inch Nails lineup lost its bassist earlier this week, but the band has already picked up a replacement. Longtime NIN associate Robin Finck will take the place of Eric Avery, Reznor wrote on the band’s Tumblr.

Finck has worked with NIN since 1994 and last played with the band on their 2009 tour. In his departure, Avery said he felt overwhelmed with Nine Inch Nails’ planned touring schedule, and after touring with Garbage in 2012, he said he needed a break to focus on film work and gather himself in Los Angeles.

Nine Inch Nails’ next show is set for July 26th at the Fuji Rock Festival in Naeba, Japan. Their first U.S. date is scheduled for early August at Lollapalooza in Chicago, and NIN have dates set through early November, when they’ll play the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans. More tour dates are expected to be announced soon.

There’s a good reason why they call it “classic rock.” Bands like ZZ Top (and many of their peers) cranked out hit after hit in the ’70s and ’80s, and those hits have had an incredible endurance, showing up in films, tv shows, commercials and video games over the decades exposing them to new generations. Of course, those songs have seemingly infinite life on the radio. And, for the bands who are still active, those classic songs make their setlists on their tours.

It can be problematic for some artists when the audience tries to tether them to their classic songs, particularly when those artists still actively record new music. Conversely, sticking with a band through their career – even giving their new material a shot – can be rewarding for both the fans and the audience. The latter was the case at New Jersey’s Bergen Performing Arts Center on May 14, as ZZ Top played songs spanning their entire 40 year career – and all of them got a great reaction from fans.

The rewards for the die-hards came early: the band took the stage (Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill playing bright violet guitars, and Frank Beard on a skull encrusted drum kit) with “Precious And Grace” from 1973′s Tres Hombres. From there, they went to last year’s excellent and underrated La Futura, playing “Heartache In Blue” and “Have A Little Mercy.”

After complimenting opening act The Ben Miller Band (more on them later), guitarist/singer Billy Gibbons commented, “They’re very organic. Everyone’s going green!”

He then added, “But green’s not bad” and then pulled out what appeared to be a hand rolled cigarette from his jacket pocket, to roars from the audience.

Throughout the show, they went back and forth through their career playing music from the ’70s (“Certified Blues” from 1971′s ZZ Top’s First Album, “Waiting For The Bus,” “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” ”Heard It On The X” from 1975′s Fandango!), the ’90s (“Pincushion,” “My Head’s In Mississippi”), and, of course, their most successful album, 1983′s Eliminator (“Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” the latter of which they played on furry guitars).

It’s notable that the songs from La Futura went over well: “I Gotsta Get Paid” (adapted from a fairly obscure hip-hop song called “25 Lighters”) and “Chartreuse” were greeted warmly, and indeed, a woman in the front row handed Gibbons a copy of the new record on vinyl, which all three members autographed. La Futura was produced by Rick Rubin, who is famous for not going into the studio with legendary bands until the material holds up to their catalog. Judging by the audience’s reaction, Rubin can declare “mission accomplished” on the ZZ Top front.

After the encore, which featured their ’90s era cover of Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas” along with ’70s hits “Tush” and “La Grange,” the show ended, and while some fans still lamented the fact that their old favorites were missing from the set (notably “Cheap Sunglasses”), the fact that the band has new classics adds weight to the older songs: ZZ Top still cranks out high voltage rock, four decades down the road.

That’s right, WeenBags! The Meatmen are hitting the studio with a slew of all new Meaty originals, and a fresh new US tour in 2014!

“That’s right, I’ve been entertaining your sorry asses for over 30 years, and now it’s time for YOU to become a part of Meat History! – Tesco Vee

After 18 years, we embark on our first new platter of Meaty originals – filled with all the Hate Rock Wack you expect from us and then some!! We have been pouring our black hearts and hate-filled souls into the process, and this masterwork is gonna set the Punk Rock planet ablaze! Nobody is safe, as I lay the verbal wood to all-new targets left and right! And these 3 Henchman backing me up are the real deal! We are calling upon you, the loyal Meatheads to get off your wheelchair butts and be part of the creative process!

Every single penny you invest is going back into the band, and nothing in our pockets. Any amount that exceeds our target goal of $5000 will be invested into the band to give YOU a girthier, meatier experience. New props? Check. New costumes? Fuck yeah. New Van? Yeah, maybe if Sugar Daddy Lucifer himself kicks in some loot. Any donation of $50 or greater will have your name included in the liner notes of the new album!

After being on the road for the last few years, we’ve heeded your call for a new album! For over 30 years, Good ol’ Uncle Tesco has accrued a belly full of vitriol and a lyrical prowess to lay waste to all those in his path! Fuck all this pussy shit, masquerading as musclehead these days. The Meatmen are back, and with your help we’ll be haulin’ a big sack o’ piss n’ vinegar – in the waxy form of a new album! Don’t miss out — Weenbags!”

www.kickstarter.com/projects/tescovee/the-meatmen-new-album-and-north-american-tour

Song titles include…
Dinosaur
I’m Gonna Fuck You Up
Kill Kunt Koulter
The Dwarves are the 2nd Greatest Band in the World… after the Meatmen.
12 Soft
Anna-Moose
Pork Chop and a .22
Wizards of the Oblivion
It’s Amateur Night @ Uncle Buck’s Bikini Club
plus… more songs, hilarious skits, special guest appearances… and more!

SEPTEMBER 13-15 at HUMBOLDT PARK IN CHICAGO
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
3-DAY PASSES STARTING AT $69.98!

Riot Fest & Carnival 2013 unleashes a dynamite musical line-up featuring Fall Out Boy, Blink-182, Violent Femmes, Motorhead, Rancid, Blondie, Rocket From The Crypt, Atmosphere, The Dismemberment Plan, Best Coast and a slew of killer bands from every era (line-up listed below). On a mission to create a punk rock state fair, this amazing 3-day festival takes place in historic Humboldt Park in Chicago, where a Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, fire eaters, Lucha Libre and other attractions nestle in a gorgeous setting. Lagoons, shade trees and lovely fields yield to a stunning view of the Chicago skyline. Tickets to Riot Fest are set at incredibly reasonable rates – 3-day passes start at just $69.98.

THE BANDS:
Fall Out Boy * Blink-182 * Violent Femmes * Motorhead * Rancid * Blondie * Sublime with Rome * AFI * Public Enemy * Brand New * Flag * Guided By Voices * Rocket From The Crypt * Bad Religion * All Time Low* Taking Back Sunday * Pierce the Veil * Atmosphere * The Dismemberment Plan * Dinosaur Jr. * Best Coast * DeVotchka * The Broadways * Screeching Weasel * Pennywise * The Lillingtons * Bob Mould * Against Me! * GWAR * Yellowcard * The Lawrence Arms * Say Anything * X * Bad Brains * Quicksand* The Selecter * Mission of Burma * Stars * Toots and the Maytals * Peter Hook (Joy Division Set) * Bad Books * The Devil Wears Prada * Saves The Day * Glassjaw * Bayside * Smoking Popes * Reggie and the Full Effect * Attack Attack! * The Dear Hunter * Maps and Atlases * Surfer Blood * Chuck Ragan
Dessa * Saul Williams * Empires * Mephiskapheles * Kitten * Peelander-Z * Touché Amoré * Masked Intruder * Deal’s Gone Bad * Twin Peaks * Flatfoot 56 * White Mystery * Environmental Encroachment * Radkey * No D’bags Allowed and more to be announced

In its 9th year, Riot Fest is dedicated to bringing fans of music and fun of all ages together to celebrate rock, excellent food and the joy-bringing aspects of a carnival. Gourmet food trucks, quality brews and three music stages are interspersed with rides, skee-ball, circus performers and underground marching troupes. The brainchild of promoters Michael Petryshyn and Sean McKeough, Riot Fest launched in 2005 and grew rapidly. Known for re-uniting their musical heroes in influential underground bands, Petryshyn and McKeough created an experience that is a destination for music fans from around the world.

3- Day Passes start at $69.98
* Admission into Humboldt Park September 13-15

3-Day VIP $175.00
* Admission into Humboldt Park September 13-15
* Access to VIP lounge with private bar
* VIP viewing areas near stage
* 15 beverage tickets

Tickets www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/273259?utm_medium=bks

For More Information:
Riot Fest Web site: www.riotfest.org
Riot Fest Facebook: www.facebook.com/RiotFest1
Riot Fest Twitter: www.twitter.com/riotfest