FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Ward will sit out the band’s upcoming “Dark Roots Of Thrash Tour” with TESTAMENT, OVERKILLand 4ARM and will be temporarily replaced by Jeff Barbaree. Jason says in a statement: “While I would like nothing more than to be out there doing what I love more than anything, I have too many personal commitments that need my attention at home, including the care of my ailing father and family. The length and commitment of time to the tour is simply too great for me to participate considering the needs of my family at this time. Nevertheless, I want nothing but success for the tour and for FLOTSAM, and hopefully will be able to rejoin the band sometime in the future should my personal commitments to my family allow. Thank you all for your support! Hope you all enjoy the shows as much as I know I would.”
Added the other members of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM: “We support and encourage Jason‘s decision, as family is number one in our lives. We wish him well.”
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM‘s new album, “Ugly Noise”, was released digitally on December 21.
Funding for the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM album was aided by the PledgeMusic.com project, which encourages fans to contribute funds to the recording of albums and the artists themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.
When asked about the songwriting process for the new album, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM guitarist Michael Gilbert told Metal Army America in July, “I worked with [former METALLICA and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist] Jason Newsted on a few songs, and he’s given me some tips about some things and opened my view up towards how I look at my music and how I want the listeners to perceive the points I’m trying to make.”
He added, “[Jason] is really passionate about music, so when I called him and talked to him, I just wanted him to help out with some lyrical stuff and hear some of the music I was writing. He’s a great songwriter, too. I’m not sure if everything that he got to do in METALLICA, if he was restrained a little bit, I’m not sure about all that sort of stuff, but as far as with me, anytime he wants to write with me, he’s got full rein and he’s got absolute say-so in everything that happens. It’s a 50-50 relationship, as it would be with Eric [‘A.K.’ Knutson], our singer, writing music with us, or Kelly [David Smith], our drummer.”
Regarding the musical direction of the new FLOTSAM AND JETSAM material, Gilbert said, “It’s probably the most mature it’s ever been, but if you wanna classify it as close to any other record that we’ve done, it’s probably gonna be close to [1995’s] ‘Drift’. If we were gonna make a record right after ‘Drift’, which was out fifth record, ‘Ugly Noise’ would be the next one — with this lineup, you know.”
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM in 2011 parted ways with drummer Craig Nielsen and was rejoined by Kelly David Smith.
The band’s current lineup is the same as the one that recorded the “Cuatro” (1992), “Drift” (1995) and “High” (1997) albums:
Eric “A.K.” Knutson – Vocals Ed Carlson – Guitar Michael Gilbert – Guitar Jason Ward – Bass Kelly David Smith – Drums
ONSLAUGHT, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, and SINISTER are the latest bands to be confirmed for 70000 Tons Of Metal.
The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise will sail Monday, January 28, 2013 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, FL to Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island, and will not return to the real world for four days until Friday, February 1, 2013.
The following 30 out of 40 bands have now been announced:
3 INCHES OF BLOOD, ANACRUSIS, ANGRA, ARKONA, DELAIN, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, DORO, DRAGONFORCE, ENSIFERUM, EVERGREY, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, GOTTHARD, HEIDEVOLK, HELLOWEEN, HELSTAR, IMMOLATION, IN FLAMES, KREATOR, LACUNA COIL, METAL CHURCH, NILE, ONSLAUGHT, RAGE and LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA, SABATON, SINISTER, SUBWAY TO SALLY, TIAMAT, TURISAS, TÝR, UNEXPECT.
Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$299 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24 hour room service!
What are you waiting for? You might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done! Check out 70000tons.com for more information.
On December 18, Brandon Marshall of Sonic Excess conducted an interview with former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist and current NEWSTED frontman Jason Newsted. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Sonic Excess: Welcome back! The metal word has missed Jason Newsted. Every couple of years, you come up with a new project or collaboration, and then we don’t hear from you. Are you back for good, and is the band NEWSTED a full-time project?
Jason Newsted: [laughs] I’m always back for good and better! NEWSTED is the project that’s happening now, I would like to see it grow, get somewhere, of course, and be able to share it with everyone who wants to share it with me. It has been a lot of years coming. It’s ready for me, and I’m finally ready for it. I never thought I was going to put my name on a project; I’ve always come up with cool enough band names. We did it with this, and I’m very proud of it. Things are lining up very well, and I’m hoping to take it out to the people live next year.
Sonic Excess: What was the spark that got NEWSTED ignited?
Jason Newsted: We always play a lot of improv music. We have though the years, and we just keep it going in the Chophouse Studio [Newsted‘s home studio in Walnut Creek, California] and play with a lot of different cats through time. What really happened was about a year and a week ago, with the METALLICA 30th-anniversary shows, where we played The Fillmore in San Francisco. Lars [Ulrich, METALLICA drummer] had called me in October of last year and said, “Do you want to jam?” I said “What time do you want me there?” I haven’t seen them in a long time, and I hadn’t seen them since the [Rock And Roll] Hall Of Fame thing anyway. He said, “What songs do you want to play?” and I said, “You pick the fastest one dude.” We took the 14 fastest ones. I rocked a few each night, and we had a good time. What came from it was the realization of the energy of the fans. There were probably 30-35 countries represented on the floor that week. The energy I got back, and the appreciation, the real, true fan-dom, and being able to look into people’s eyes made me think it could happen again. Maybe, I could bring it out on my own and sing, play bass, play guitar, and do my own stuff. Make it fast and make it ugly, like old METALLICA, like “Kill ‘Em All” and “Ride The Lightning” records, and the old FLOTSAM AND JETSAM records, make real, old-school metal. One year later, I have 11 songs total, and we are doing it in batches. The first batch is in four, and you can pre-order it today.
Sonic Excess: Everything seems to be happening very fast. A month ago, your web site went live, and now you have an album coming out January 8th. How long has NEWSTED been in the works? Can tell us about the other members in the band?
Jason Newsted: Yes, I would be glad to. Jesus Mendez, Jr. is the drummer. I have been playing with him for about 10 years, and we have known each other for longer than that. He was a California roadie guy for METALLICA and worked at headquarters for some years. Then, he was the drum tech on the ECHOBRAIN tour, so we have been friends for a while. We have played a lot of hours, for a lot of years. He comes from like Vinny Appice, DIO, MOTÖRHEAD, AC/DC, but way down with double bass. He is a very serious, hard-working player. Our secret weapon is Jessie Farnsworth; he is a little bit younger than us. He is 32 and he is from the East, from Connecticut. He has been out here for a while, and I have been playing with him for about four years. We swap back and forth with bass and guitar. I choose people who have not quite risen in their own bands. I didn’t want people who were jaded or had ugly baggage come into this band, and I didn’t want to make it a supergroup. I wanted real friends that I get along with, and I wanted to play real true music.
Sonic Excess: Do you plan on touring?
Jason Newsted: I plan on taking it anywhere I can. As you can imagine, people are coming out of the woodwork wanting to help out, like promoters and agents, and people wanting to do what they do. We have scheduled meetings after Christmas about how we are going to get it out there to the people. My desire and quest has always been to take it anywhere I can for anyone who will accept our westernized rock ‘n’ roll music. I want to continue being the ambassador of metal, like I have been pretty much my whole career. My idea, actually, is to go to a lot of places not a lot of people actually do go to. I’ll still go to the “A” markets and play places expected, but I really want to get into the nooks and crannies of the countryside. I really want to get in front of people in places where I come from. I want to go to a lot of places that don’t get a lot of shows. I’m down with that, and I really want to do that.
Sonic Excess: What’s your opinion on bands charging for meet-and-greets now?
Jason Newsted: I think it’s bullshit! My guys had been talking to me about doing those things, and they talk about KISS making money for this meet-and-greet. People will pay it, but that’s not the point. I don’t want to take money like that. If they want to buy a t-shirt and have something to show for it, that’s what we do. You can’t download a t-shirt. There are certain things that make sense to me. I have never charged for my autograph up until the web site. That is my first time in my 30-year career that I have charged for my autograph, and I have signed for hundreds of thousands of people. I don’t feel comfortable with charging people to meet me; I don’t feel comfortable with charging people to get me to sign something when they are standing with me. If they buy it off the Internet and want an 8×10 or an autograph CD, they have that momentum. That’s fine, but I’m not going to charge people to meet me. I just don’t feel that’s right. I’ll pay to meet one of my old sports heroes, or something like one of the cats from the 1970s Orioles. I’ll pay a couple of bucks for something, but I’m not going to pay for Gene Simmons. It’s ridiculous, that’s not what it’s about.
Source: Bravewords.com
70000 Tons Of Metal – The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise – will sail Monday, January 28, 2013 aboard the Royal Caribbean Majesty Of The Seas from Miami, FL to Cockburn Town on Grand Turk Island, and will not return to the real world for four days until Friday, February 1, 2013.
Organizers have announced that Canadian guitar mastermind Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) will host “Jamming With Waters In International Waters”, the official 70000 Tons Of Metal All-Star Jam… and they want to have your input. Head over to the official 70000 Tons Of Metal Facebook page and give your feedback on which of the musicians on board you would like to participate in the most incredible jam session the metal world has ever seen. And guess what? You can even join in yourself. Ever wanted to jam with Jeff Waters in International Waters? You can do so, but only on 70000 Tons Of Metal.
The following 27 out of 40 bands have now been announced: ANACRUSIS, ANGRA, ARKONA, DELAIN, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, DORO, DRAGONFORCE, ENSIFERUM, EVERGREY, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, GOTTHARD, HEIDEVOLK, HELLOWEEN, HELSTAR, IMMOLATION, IN FLAMES, KREATOR, LACUNA COIL, METAL CHURCH, NILE, RAGE and LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA, SABATON, SUBWAY TO SALLY, TIAMAT, TURISAS, TÝR, UNEXPECT.
Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$299 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24 hour room service!
What are you waiting for? You might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done! Check out 70000tons.com for more information.
Former METALLICA, VOIVOD and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM bassist Jason Newsted has uploaded new video footage of a rehearsal session at his Chophouse studio in Walnut Creek, California. Check it out at this location.
In a recent interview with Eddie Trunk‘s “Friday Night Rocks” radio show on New York’s Q104.3 FM, Newsted stated about his plans to release original music via his newly launched official web site, NewstedHeavyMetal.com, “It’ll be called Newsted Heavy Metal Music. Whatever it ends up being — if it’s five songs, 20 songs, 50 songs… I don’t even know what the heck I’m gonna do. I have so much music from over the years. I have a bunch of new stuff, I have so many mixes of projects with people — new players, young players, old-school players like myself — so I’m just trying to figure out exactly what I wanna unleash on everybody first. That’s kind of what it’s coming down to — the timing of things and how I wanna hit people with it, and which stuff [to release first].”
Asked how he plans to release his music, Jason said, “I see a couple of the old avenues still being there that will always be there in the purest form — making the vinyl and everybody having the special-edition vinyl to be able to read the lyrics, stuff like you and I loved the most, that’s the closest to us that’s the most endearing and the most personal. So that’s always gonna be there and I never wanna dismiss that, so that will be percentage of it for the fans that really dig the real American kick-ass guitar music … And then the newest avenues that I’m just really now learning about as I expose myself to all this stuff… I saw a piece of one of [‘That Metal Show’ espisodes on VH1 Classic] and somebody talked about DOWN and some other bands doing four tracks at a time in EP form every few months, letting people have some fresh metal. I think that’s a pretty good concept, a pretty good formula — I’m hip to that, [and] I’d like to warm up to that. Since it is new territory for me, I’m really open to that idea; I think it’s a good way to spread stuff.”
Newsted married his longtime girlfriend Nicole Leigh Smith in October.
In his acceptance speech at METALLICA‘s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction in April 2009, Jason thanked Nicole — whom he referred to as “the love of my life” — for “standing by me through the last seven years of challenges and adventures.”
Bay Area thrash metal legends, TESTAMENT have announce their first US headlining tour in support of their new album, Dark Roots of Earth. The trek promises to be one of the best thrash metal lineups of the year, with support coming from the world renowned OVERKILL and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, as well as Australian thrashers 4ARM.
“It’s a thrill to announce our upcoming dates with Overkill and Flotsam And Jetsam,” commented guitarist Alex Skolnick. “It’s a tour that brings together three different metal bands from three different regions: West Coast, East Coast and Southwest. All three bands sound very different from one another yet are highly compatible. All have been around the block (and the world) a few times and all have managed to keep a sound that feels current. This tour will be a ‘must see’ for fans who remember the early days of thrash/speed metal as well as those whose age is younger than the genre itself.”
VIP packages are now available for each show but will be on a limited basis per gig. Act now before they’re all gone!
VIP ticket packages will include the following:
– Meet and Greet with members of Testament.
– Photos with members of Testament.
– Special VIP collector pass.
– 8×10 photo of Testament.
– 1 Merchandise item.
– Discount Coupon for online shopping.
– VIP purchasers will receive a raffle ticket. Two lucky raffle winners per show will get to watch a portion of Testament’s set side stage with the opportunity to sing background vocals on ‘Into The Pit’!
– All VIP purchasers will be in an end of the tour drawing for a signature Eric Peterson Dean guitar signed by Testament.
Dates:
January
30 – The Filmore – San Francisco, CA*
31 – House of Blues – Anaheim, CA*
February
1 – The Marquee – Tempe, AZ*
2 – House of Blues – Hollywood, CA*
4 – Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM*
5 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
6 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
7 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
9 – Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
10 – The Filmore – Charlotte, NC
12 – The Filmore – Silver Spring, MO
13 – Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA
14 – Best Buy Theatre – New York, NY
15 – The Paramount – Huntington, NY
16 – The Palladium – Worcester, MA
17 – Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
18 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON
20 – Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
21 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
22 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
23 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
25 – The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
26 – In The Venue – Salt Lake City, UT
27 – Knitting Factory – Reno, NV
28 – Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA
* Denotes Flotsam And Jetsam will not be playing
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 