The Global Recovery Initiatives (GRI) Foundation today announced that they are adding three new members to their board of directors: International rock icon Nikki Sixx, entertainment industry legend Allen Kovac, iHeart Media VP Alexandra Cameron and Fors Marsh Group’s Director of Social Good Activities Matt Escoubas.
Pam Cytron, CEO of Pando Systems and board chairman of the GRI Foundation said, “We are thrilled to add these new board members who will bring their wisdom, expertise and networks to expand philanthropy for people in early recovery from substance use disorder—a nation-wide problem that affects every sector of American life—from individuals and their families to the country’s employers and communities.”
About GRI:
The Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation (GRI) is the first and only national community foundation dedicated to building philanthropy for organizations that deliver recovery support services to people with SUD.
GRI funds the expansion of organizations that have demonstrated success in:
Deploying public, private and pop culture resources to strengthen the field of recovery
Engaging philanthropy leaders to invest in non-profit, recovery-focused programs and making grants in local communities throughout the U.S.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and his Business partner Thom Hazaert about the new Dave Ellefson Autobiography that they both co-wrote “More Life With Deth” (out July 16 via Jawbone Press) and companion Album “Sleeping Giants” ( July 19 on Combat Records). Ellefson also spoke about his early days in Megadeth during the Combat Records era and his drug addiction and recovery.
Watch the interview here:
When asked about the difference between this new Autobiography compared to the first one
“The first book was a little more focused on David’s spirituality and sobriety and it talked about Megadeth from a little bit of a generic backstory, it didn’t really get too deep into a lot of Megadeth’s topics. This time we set out to make just a Rock and Roll book. I would say this book is like a superhero movie origin story. I acquired the Combat Records name and that gave us the opportunity to go back to the beginning again and really tell that origin story of Megadeth during the Combat era. But this time we have some other guest voices in the book too giving their perspective. We really did a good job of chronicling the early Megadeth history but with some other people that were there too, to give a different perspective and validate everything what was said and what went on.” Thom Hazaert
When asked about Acquiring the rights to the legendary Combat Records name
“Combat Records had a whole generation of punk and thrash fans. When Thom approached me with the idea I started thinking about Combat and all a sudden it took me all the way back to 1983 and 84 especially 84 with Megadeth. That was when we started having conversations with record labels to sign Megadeth and Combat Records was the one that won out and that’s what Killing is my Business came out on. So in the book, it largely took me back to telling the earliest years of the Megadeth story and you know it that is a period of time when there’s not a lot of information. “ David Ellefson
When asked why Megadeth broke up in 2002 and why the band reformed in 2004 without Ellefson
“Dave Mustiane quit the band, he folded the band and I mean he basically quit. So again if quit and we didn’t have a quarterback, so there is no one to throw the ball so essentially the band was done. However in 2004 Mustaine reformed the group but suddenly all the business dealings were changed and everything was different and I was not on board with it, so I didn’t I agree to it and they basically moved forward without me being part of the band .Part of me was kind of relieved because it was a lot, I mean Dave and I have been going almost 20 years at that point. It’s just a lot you know you’re creative people, I mean Megadeth is a real rock and roll band man it’s dangerous, its dynamic, its charismatic, it’s all the great things that make great rock and roll but the Train was always ready to fall off the tracks. So I just kind of moved on, I just got busy with my life and moved on. I wasn’t gonna sit around and cry about it I was a young man with a young family I was in my 30’s and we’ve made money, we’ve done some things but I was young I wasn’t ready to retire. I wasn’t done with my life’s purpose. Young families are expensive and there’s a lot of life ahead, so I had to get up and get to work and I think that largely is the story of the next the next phase of my life in this new book. “ David Ellefson
When asked about being broke and stranded on tour during the Killing is my Business tour
“1985 June- July where we’re opening for labelmates Exciter and the tour dates were just canceling left and right because the agents was just horrible. We called the label and said we are broke and they said you guys just need to go home and get jobs and we were like we are on tour supporting your album? David Ellefson
When asked about the Motley Crue Biopic Dirt and how David Ellefson was there when Nikki Sixx temporary died
“I was there, Steven Adler and I were friends and I didn’t really know the other guys too much. I was at the Franklin Plaza Hotel and I was up there and Fred Coury from Cinderella. I’d never met Nikki before and we’re just partying and Nikki come busting into the room and I wanted to see if I could get some drugs off of him but they didn’t have any so I guess they were looking for some too. At the wee hours of the night they left and went in the room next door and I mean literally I don’t know 15 minutes later a girl comes running oh my god, I think he’s dead. You could hear the sirens. Fred looked at me and goes, you got a car, get me the hell out of here. It was pretty hardcore stuff man thank God I really wasn’t around it, I mean I had no part of it.” David Ellefson
When asked about the songs on new Album Sleeping Giants
“It was during the Basstory tour last year I was getting up on stage every night and doing a couple of songs with David. We have a studio in Tampa called Mastersound and we’re like let’s go into the studio and just write a song for fun. So we went in the studio and jammed for 20 minutes and Dave had the riff for the new song Vultures and we wrote the song literally in a half an hour. Dave went in and tracked his rhythm guitar and his bass and I tracked the vocals that same day and it was done. And at the time we said let’s just take use that song and use it as a free download with the new book. That’s how it all evolved. So then we wrote another two new songs and I kind of said Dave don’t you have some F5 demos or some other stuff . So he dug up all these extras he had, all these killer F5 demos that were never released and then Dave say’s I do have this song with John Bush on vocals, I’m like are you fucking kidding me? So this new Sleeping Giants album has new songs and has cool rarities from David Ellefson’s career that all tie into the book.” Thom Hazaert
When asked about considering Annihilator’s Jeff Waters as Megadeth’s guitarist in the early days
“Jeff was and is a kick-ass rock star lead guitar player and a you know he’s the founder of his band. He’s the writer, he’s the whole musical muscle of that group and you know for him to leave that would mean to leave all of his work behind to come and be the guitar player and Megadeth.
Annihilator were doing very well back in the day so, right guy, wrong time. Jeff is friends with me and Dave Mustaine, we’re good buddies today but sometimes things just aren’t meant to happen at that particular time. ” David Ellefson
When asked about overcoming his drug addictions
“I was on the drug and alcohol train for ten years. At the beginning it was a lot of fun. I mean it was kind of the social lubricant you know everyone around doing it. When I moved to LA in 1983 cocaine was on the cover of Time magazine that year. It was just the era you know that was the 80’s. it was sex, drugs and Rock and Roll. I hit a wall when I was 23 during So Far, So good So What album cycle and I talk about in the book. I had to get clean, it wasn’t going go away. I came out the other side of it. Today being in Megadeth and doing Basstory tour we travel the world and I’m able to talk either publicly or privately with people about adiction and it’s a cool platform to be able to help people if people reach out and need help.” David Ellefson
“Sleeping Giants” will be a retrospective featuring several new tracks, plus a collection of demos and unreleased material from F5 and David’s other projects “Sleeping Giants” will also include a second bonus disc, featuring a compilation of EMP and Combat Records artists, including LAST CRACK, DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, DOYLE, Mark Slaughter, RON KEEL BAND, HATCHET, WRATH, Marc Rizzo, and more.
Album was Produced by Ellefson and Thom Hazaert (who also provides vocals for the new tracks), with a multitude of guests, including legendary MC Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, who shares vocals with Hazaert on the title track, Mark Tremonti, Eric “A.K” Knutson (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), Ken Mary (ALICE COOPER, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), Steve Conley (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, F5), Ethan Brosh, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (GUNS N’ ROSES), Dave Sharpe and Opus Lawrence of DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, Illias Papadakis (MEMORAIN), Dave McClain (MACHINE HEAD, SACRED REICH), Andy Martongelli (ALTITUDES AND ATTITUDE) and more, plus a remix by “Game Of Thones” star Kristian Nairn (HODOR), and unreleased songwriting demos featuring vocals by John Bush (ARMORED SAINT, ex-ANTHRAX), and David Glen Eisley (HOUSE OF LORDS, GIUFFRIA).
Disk 1
01. Vultures
02. Sleeping Giants (ft. DMC)
03. Hammer (Comes Down) (ft. Mark Tremonti, Chris Poland, and Eric AK)
04. Vultures (Kristian Nairn Remix)
05. If You Were God (ft. John Bush) *
F5 Demos
06. Deadman Rise
07. I Fall
08. Bleeding
09. Why Can’t We Die
10. Dying On The Vine
11. Faded
12. Undeniable
13. Feel Your Pain
14. Out In The Rain (ft. David Glen Eisley) *
15. Voices (ft. David Glen Eisley) *
* Previously unreleased demo
Disc 2: EMP/Combat Artist Sampler
01. LAST CRACK – “Golden Age”
02. CO-OP (ft. Joe Perry) – “Howl”
03. GREEN DEATH (ft. David Ellefson) – “Pure Torture”
04. SEMBLANT – “Scarlet Heritage – Legacy of Blood Pt. III”
05. HATCHET – “Back Into Dust”
06. MARC RIZZO – “Downside Up”
07. MARK SLAUGHTER – “Conspiracy”
08. DOYLE (ft. Alissa White-Gluz) – “Kiss Me As We Die”
09. DEAD BY WEDNESDAY – “You & Die”
10. EVIL UNITED (ft. Jason McMaster) – “Operation Overlord”
11. SUNFLOWER DEAD – “Turn Away” (Radio Edit)
12. ARISE IN CHAOS – “The Divine”
13. DOLL SKIN – “Daughter”
14. PSYKOTRIBE (ft. David Ellefson) – “End It”
15. ARCHER NATION – “Severed”
16. RON KEEL BAND – “Fight Like A Band”
17. WRATH – “Draw Blood
Issue #5 of the newly launched UK based Rock Candy Magazine features an exclusive candid interview with legendary rock manager Doc McGhee in which he tells how out-of-control MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx’s outlandish behaviour on board the bullet train in Japan got both of them thrown in jail by the country’s riot police.
The latest issue of Rock Candy Magazine, featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads on the cover, is available in shops around the world via distribution from industry giant Marketforce. Besides our massive Randy Rhoads feature, it also includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes feature on what really went on during the Crüe’s wild ‘Girls Girls Girls’ tour in 1987. Including new interviews with vocalist Vince Neil, manager McGhee and members of the tour team, together with exclusive photos from legendary photographer Mark Weiss, the piece exposes the madness of life on the road with the house band of hair metal.
Exclusive Issue # 5 Doc McGhee article preview:
“We played Japan in December of ’87 and took the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka for a show,” explains McGhee. “On the way back Nikki was all messed up. Mick and Nikki started getting into each other and Nikki threw doughnuts at Mick while he was drinking a bottle of Jack. There wasn’t a fistfight, because Mick couldn’t fight anybody. Nikki threw a bottle and hit a Japanese guy in the back of the head. Blood was pumping and they ended up dragging the guy out like he’d survived a battle. When we got to Tokyo there were a couple of hundred Japanese police with riot gear on waiting for us. I went up and said, ‘I’m Doc McGhee, the manager of Mötley Crüe.’ They grabbed me, threw me on the ground and zip-tied my hands behind my back. Then they went and got Nikki. They dragged him out and threw him beside me and took the two of us off to jail. We sat there for four or five hours and then had to write a letter apologizing before they would let us out. If it wasn’t for our promoter Mr Udo we’d probably still be there. Mr Udo went through hell on that tour. He came down and sorted things out so that all we had to do was write that letter of apology. But Nikki didn’t want to do it. I wanted to kill him, because I’m in jail because of him.”
Read the whole of this revealing article, and many more fascinating features, in Issue 5 of Rock Candy Mag. Available now in UK retailers, on it’s way to shops around the world via export, and direct from us online, here: Official Rock Candy Magazine website
Issue 5 features dozens of major features and interviews with legendary and obscure acts, including:
RANDY RHOADS
MÖTLEY CRÜE
CHEAP TRICK
RAINBOW
BLACK SABBATH
BOSTON
BON SCOTT
ANTHRAX
WHITE LION
STRYPER
ZZ TOP
JUDAS PRIEST
GUNS N ROSES
HEART
DIAMOND HEAD
THE GODZ
BOB KULICK
SLAUGHTER
IAN ASTBURY
TEXXAS JAM
Paul Stanley has rushed to the defense of his KISS bandmate Gene Simmons after Nikki Sixx slammed Gene over the KISS bassist’s statement that the death of Prince, allegedly from a drug overdose, was “pathetic“, according to Blabbermouth.net.
Last week, Simmons received backlash from friends, family and fans after insinuating that Prince died from a drug overdose. The MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX:A.M. bassist also ripped Simmons on Twitter, saying his “recent heartless and uneducated remarks about Prince‘s death shows why he’s not my hero anymore or anybody’s.” Sixx elaborated on his criticism of Simmons on his nationally syndicated radio show “Sixx Sense”. He said: “I think that [Gene] is [an] overrated, lucky guy that dresses like a clown. [He] wrote some good songs, [but] hasn’t in a long time, and loves to brag about himself.”
Last night, Stanley took to his Facebook page to address Sixx‘s comments. He wrote: “Jesus Christ, Nikki Sixx! Would you please shut up, find another way to be in the news and get off your self-inflated pedestal?
“Regardless of some things Gene Simmons has said that I may take issue with, his influence on musicians (you included) is undeniable and will continue. More importantly, his work, generosity and monetary contributions to numerous causes and charities for those less fortunate makes your ongoing rant, in the scheme of things, the unimportant but annoying squeak it truly is.
“Move on.”
Stanley‘s remarks prompted a quick response from Sixx, who wrote on Facebook: “Looks like good old Paul doesn’t like that someone called out his buddy Gene again…I will give him a standing ovation for calling out Gene himself publicly and then trying to hold my feet to the same fire, but you can’t save him. If the press wants to run with a story, they got legs and we all know they need fresh content. I have to admit calling the next KISS album ‘Move On’ would be a clever idea though…Love to the Starchild.”
He added: “We all give to charities and support our troops etc because that the right thing to do with our success.Telling a depressed kid to kill themselves etc etc etc etc is not… So don’t confuse issues.”
After Simmons‘s original comments about Prince were first published, Stanley denounced his bandmate’s “cold, clueless” statement on Twitter, saying that he was “embarrassed” by Simmons‘s remarks and offering his apologies.
Simmons last week took to Twitter to clarify his remarks about Prince. He explained: “I apologize — I have a long history of getting very angry at what drugs do to the families/friends of the addicts. I get angry at drug users because of my experience being around them coming up in the rock scene.”
HINDER have unveiled their new single ‘Intoxicated’ on Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx, one of the most widely-syndicated rock radio programs in the United States. The hard-hitting, true-to-form heavy rock anthem appears on the multi-platinum band’s upcoming fifth studio album, “When the Smoke Clears”, out May 12 via The End Records/ADA.
Says lead vocalist Marshal Dutton, “Great sex is like a drug. In fact, it can be downright intoxicating! We set out to charge this track with that same intensity.”
Fans can listen to ‘Intoxicated’ on Sixx Sense now! The exclusive Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx Hinder interview will air on 130 rock stations nationwide on Monday, May 4, at 7PM. Click here to find a Sixx Sense station in your area, or tune in on the popular radio program’s iHeartRadio channel.
With over a decade-long career under their belts, and having honed their chops touring with the likes of Mötley Crüe, Nickelback, Aerosmith and Papa Roach, Hinder’s upcoming album with their new lead vocalist Marshal Dutton has breathed new sound, and new air, into the ever-evolving band. The songs on” When the Smoke Clears” run the gamut from rowdy rock to subtle country influence, to memorable pop hooks, all of which retain the DNA-distinct spirit of Hinder. That ability to walk the tightrope between genres, without a net, is something the band has had fun with in creating the new album.
The band will perform select tracks from “When the Smoke Clears” on their upcoming spring/summer tour. Please see below for a list of current tour dates, which includes stops at Loudwire Music Festival in Grand Junction, CO on June 28 and Rock Fest in Cadott, WI on July 18.
Hinder 2015 Tour Dates: May 7 – Vanguard; Tulsa, OK May 9 – Sugar Creek Casino- Event Center; Hinton, OK May 23 – New York State Fair, WKRL’s Dysfunctional Family BBQ; Syrcause, NY Jun 6 – Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino; Mescalero, NM Jun 7 – Jake’s Backroom; Lubbock, TX Jun 9 – Scout Bar; Houston, TX Jun 10 – The Varsity Theatre; Baton Rouge, LA Jun 12 – KC Live!; Kansas City, KS Jun 13 – Pops Nightclub; Sauget, IL Jun 14 – St. Joseph Country 4H Fairgrounds; South Bend, IN Jun 16 – St. Andrew’s Hall; Detroit, MI Jun 17 – Newport Music Hall; Columbus, OH Jun 19 – Bogart’s; Cincinnati, OH Jun 20 – The Adelphia Music Hall; Marietta, OH Jun 21 – The Vogue; Indianoplis, IN Jun 23 – Exit / In; Nashville, TN Jun 24 – The Outskirts; Macomb, IL Jun 26 – Midnight Rodeo; Amarillo, TX Jun 27 – Ogden Theater; Denver, CO Jun 28 – Loudwire Music Festival; Grand Junction, CO Jul 7 – Music Farm; Columbia, SC Jul 9 – Chameleon Club; Lancaster, PA Jul 10 – The Emporium; Patchogue, NY Jul 11 – Altar Bar; Pittsburgh, PA Jul 13 – Agora Ballroom; Cleveland, OH Jul 14 – The Music Factory; Battle Creek, MI Jul 16 – District; Rockford, IL Jul 17 – Concord Music Hall; Chicago, IL Jul 18 – Rock Fest; Cadott, WI Jul 24 – Halfway Jam Festival Grounds; Royalton, MN Jul 25 – Werner Park; Papillion, NE Jul 26 – The District; Sioux Falls, SD Aug 2 – Easyriders Saloon; Sturgis, SD Aug 14 – Umatilla County Fair; Hermiston, OR
Following the death of actor Robin Williams on Monday, KISS bass player Gene Simmons made some very derogatory and insulting comments about people who suffer from depression. Here is an excerpt:
“For a putz 20-year-old kid to say, ‘I’m depressed. I live in Seattle.’ F– you, then kill yourself. I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I’m the guy who says ‘Jump’ when there’s a guy on top of a building who says, ‘That’s it, I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to jump.’ Are you kidding? Why are you announcing it. Shut the f— up, have some dignity and jump! You’ve got the crowd. By the way, you walk up to the same guy on a ledge who threatens to jump and put a gun to his head, ‘I’m going to blow your f—in’ head off.’ He’ll go, ‘Please don’t.’ It’s true. He’s not that insane.”
According to loudwire.com, MOTLEY CRUE‘s Nikki Sixx stated in response on his ‘Sixx Sense With Nikki Sixx‘ radio show. He stated, “It’s pretty moronic because he thinks everybody listens to him, that he is the god of thunder. He will tell you he is the greatest man on earth, and to be honest with you, I like Gene. But in this situation, I don’t like Gene. I don’t like Gene’s words, because … there is a 20-year-old kid out there who is a KISS fan and reads this and goes, ‘You know what? He’s right. I should just kill myself.’”
The bassist goes on to add, “For people who are depressed, there is a way out. There are many, many ways out. And I don’t want people to listen to an interview from a rock star, who’s telling you the only way out is out, when I’m telling you, and I wrote it in ‘The Heroin Diaries,’ you can get out of this. One in 10 Americans are affected by depression at one point in their life, so this is another thing to think about. At one point in your life, meaning it will come and it will go … they say all bad things must pass, all bad things will pass, so keep that in the back of your mind if you’re feeling depression, and don’t listen to people who don’t know what they’re talking about.”
Check out Sixx’s full conversation with co-host Jenn Marino in the player provided at this location.
But now Gene has made a statement via his official Facebook page which can be read below:
I want to make this statement about my views on depression for the record and to clarify my prior remarks.
“To the extent my comments reported by the media speak of depression, I was wrong and in the spur of the moment made remarks that in hindsight were made without regard for those who truly suffer the struggles of depression. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones. I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.
I have never sugarcoated my feelings regarding drug use and alcoholics. Somewhere along the line, my intention of speaking in very directly and perhaps politically incorrectly about drug use and alcoholics has been misconstrued as vile commentary on depression. Unkind statements about depression was certainly never my intention. Fully, you will know that and I do not intend to defend myself here and now, by listing the myriad charities and self-help organizations I am involved with. Rather, I simply want to be clear that my heart goes out to anyone suffering from depression and I deeply regret any offhand remarks in the heat of an interview that might have suggested otherwise.”
