Chinese Democracy...a flop?

It's been a while since we checked in on Chinese Democracy's progress on the charts. And in a few more weeks, we might need a microscope to find it: after nine weeks of release, Guns N' Roses' much-ballyhooed CD has sunk to number 75 on the US SoundScan chart.

In fact, since last week, the album's missle-like descent accelerated, dropping 24 places and selling a paltry 7,176 copies. Its two-month total is 530,462 units - good enough for gold status, but hardly the blockbuster it was expected to be.

As of yet, Axl Rose hasn't appeared in public to promote the album; he's granted no formal interviews and, despite late-December rumors, has no tour on the books.

Perhaps he's in no hurry. After all, he did wait 15 years to release Chinese Democracy.

And with all things being relative, the album will certainly recoup...in 1,944 weeks.

Report courtesy of www.ultimate-guitar.com

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Oh, Axl. It doesn't surprise me that Chinese Democracy has now been considered a commercial flop. Now, even though it has achieved gold status (shipments of 500,000 units) Critics and fans probably assumed it would sell millions of copies just because it took 13 years to be released or because it's a GN'R record.

It doesn't matter which artist you are or the level of popularity you've achieved, a record MUST be promoted to increase sales. Shouldn't Axl realize that? After all, Appetite for Destruction sold over 20 million copies in North America on account of music videos, interviews, etc. Oh well...

"Stuff" Is "Messed" Up

Shopping Sprees, RPG’s, Ecstasy, Atrophy
Genocide, Pimp my ride, Politize, Euphemize
Injustice everywhere, Apathy, I don’t care
Hurricanes, Climate change, Huh!

Therapy, I won’t tell, Rehab and LOL
Worldwide calamity, TV Reality, Euthanize, supersize
Death squads and boob jobs, VIP infamy
Gratify instantly

New bands

Here are a few new bands for your enjoyment. However, I would like to thank the Breaking Benjamin myspace for promoting these bands. Benjamin Burley knows good rock! Anyways. here's the list:

Another Day
Check out "Can't Put It Down"

Senate
Listen to "Traded"

Ah, Greg K...

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of my all-time favourite and influential bass players, Greg K of The Offspring.

Happy 44th Birthday, Greg K.

You're making a video...right?

Throughout the years, Nickelback has made some pretty cool videos. The video treatments and concepts are well thought out and they are often creative. However, when Nickelback released "Gotta Be Somebody" to radio, a music video wasn't released. Now I have no evidence to back me up, but I suspect Nickelback didn't care to make a video. After all, it has been confirmed by both Chad and Ryan that they dislike shooting music videos.

This brings me to my point, because of the massive popularity of "Gotta Be Somebody", the executives at Roadrunner Records were probably asking themselves "is there a video for Gotta Be Somebody?" "NO?" In my honest opinion, and I could be wrong, this video was rushed. If you compare other Nickelback videos to the "Gotta Be Somebody" video, they put it to shame. It was probably an order from Roadrunner Records.

The video has absolutely nothing to do with the song. The concept was to put the band in front of a green screen and make them play in different areas of the world. Now, I kind of understand the line "there's gotta be somebody for me out there" in relation to showing different areas of the world BUT you won't find anybody on a CRUMBLING BRIDGE. Also, don't you think the drum set would fall over? The only normal part of this video is the crowd shot at the very end. Nickelback should have just shot their video with screaming fans surrounding them, mixing a story with four separate girls eyeing each member of the band.

WHO KNOWS? Check it out...

No Line On The Horizon

Hello U2 fans!

U2 is finally back with their twelfth studio album entitled, No Line On The Horizon, due out March 3rd, 2009! The album was produced by Brian Eno and David Lenois. It marks the first album in almost 5 years, following the release of 2004's How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

The album tracklisting is:

01. No Line On The Horizon
02. Magnificent
03. Moment of Surrender
04. Unknown Caller
05. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
06. Get On Your Boots
07. Stand Up Comedy
08. Fez – Being Born
09. White As Snow
10. Breathe
11. Cedars Of Lebanon

The first single, Get On Your Boots, will hit radio airwaves on February 15th.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Announces Official Inductees

On April 4th, 2009, the following artists will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame:

The Performer Inductees Are:
Jeff Beck
Little Anthony & the Imperials
Metallica (Wooo!)
Run-D.M.C.
Bobby Womack

The Early Influence Category Inductee Will Be:
Wanda Jackson

The Sidemen Category Inductees Are:
Bill Black
DJ Fontana
Spooner Oldham

Say hello to Wintersleep

Here is another band I just got into. They are called Wintersleep. Please don't make fun of me. I actually had no idea who they were until a few months ago. The name sounded familiar but I never familiarized myself with their material.

Originating from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wintersleep formed in 2002 and are currently one of Canada's most recognized indie bands. As of 2009, they have released three studio albums. Wintersleep is currently signed with Labwork Music, a partnership label of Sonic Unyon and EMI Music Canada.

Today, I purchased their third and most recent album, "Welcome to the Night Sky." I'm very impressed with it. To be honest, indie bands don't excite me. However, this band hits the nail on the coffin. Wintersleep has a very unique and preliminary sound, which I enjoy. At first, I assumed that this was their debut album, but boy was I mistaken. Wintersleep has three albums!

QUICK FACT: In 2008, Wintersleep won the Juno award for "New Group of the Year." Props to them.

I look forward to wrapping my ears around their other albums. Check out their myspace!

Wintersleep Discography
Wintersleep (2003)
untitled (2005)
Welcome to the Night Sky (2007)

Here is their video for "Weighty Ghost" from WTTNS

Divine Intervention

"Well thanks to divine intervention, this band is together again." - Jimmy Kimmel

I couldn't have said it better myself. This was one of my favourite moments of 2008. Just as I thought I would never see STP reunite...wow. This reunion also led me to Edgefest 2008 in Toronto where I finally saw one of my all time influential bands play live. This video is from a Jimmy Kimmel episode in May 2008.

Don't mind Scott Weiland's sub-par vocals. Oh, and also when he forgets to sing the final verse. You'll see it, Robert Deleo saves the day.

Black Balloon

Everybody has a tune that they love to hear. That song could either be their favourite or just a song that hits home and puts them at ease. I've been a huge fan of the Goo Goo Dolls for quite some time now, and I've discovered that the song "Black Balloon" really puts me in a great mental state of mind. Though, I can't find the official music video, I will still provide you with the live version. It's a great performance.

(Pardon the actual black balloons and mediocre backup vocals in the video)

What if he honks in the car?

I watched the first Wayne's World yesterday and had to post this video. Its...a tribute...to Queen? Enjoy this classic clip.

Gringo Bandito

Dexter Holland from the Offspring has a hot sauce? He sure does!

STORY HERE!

No Excuses

Alice in Chains was arguably one of the greatest, most influential bands of the 90s. This is a video from their Unplugged show...and I have to say, Layne looks pretty terrible. However, he still sounded great on the mic. It's too bad he was addicted to heroin. Like really, really addicted to heroin.

Bands come and go...

The Panic Division: 2005-2008

Here is another band that should have made it. You can blame the music industry for this one. It's hard to be a new band...

The Panic Division was known for their rock/electronic/synthpop...or as I like to call it, "Rocktronic" sound. Together, they released 2 albums; "Versus" (2005) and "Songs from the Glasshouse" (2007). They also managed to cover "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister on their final album.

Check out the following tunes:
- Versus
- Goodbyes
- Paradise
- Delta
- Here We Go
- Big Day
- Broken Wings
- A Killer Is Born

Here is The Panic Division's debut video "Versus"

Naveed

I've been playing this song on bass for quite sometime now...

This is "Naveed" from Our Lady Peace...WAY back in 1994. The band is also putting the final touches on their seventh studio LP entitled "Burn, Burn."

Nickelback vs the World

Ok...we all have our opinion about the famous rock band, Nickelback. Some people love them and some people absolutely loathe them. We all have our own tastes in music. For example, I have never liked Creed. Remember them? Now don't get me wrong, the band is phenomenal...Mark Tremonti is an amazing guitar player BUT I hate Scott Stapp. In this video, Nickelback is being embarrassed by numerous bands including Green Day and Tenacious D. The best part of it is that Chad Kroeger defends his band.

Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day (you know, those beloved "American Idiots"?) commented on how Chad sounds like Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. What a joke. You want to talk about similarities? I have NEVER witnessed a big POSER then Scott Stapp. Go ahead, watch some Creed videos, you'll see the similarities. See? My opinion differs from others. I'm not going to say Creed SUCKS because they don't. I just don't like Scott Stapp. Alterbridge is a great band. Why? Because it's former CREED members plus a great singer, Myles Kennedy. It's just different tastes.

As for Nickelback, I will admit that I've said negative remarks about how some songs are similar in sound. It's true though. Check out the video of "How You Remind Me" mixed with "Someday". It's unreal! I may have even said they were annoying at one point. But I will give Nickelback some credit. This is a band that is swimming in cash. Chad mentions in the video that there are 8 million people who think Nickelback doesn't suck. 8 million? Try 30 million now.

Over 30 million in album sales VS. Critically embarrassed discography (it's a shame)

I like Nickelback. Like, not LOVE.
Do some songs sound the same? Absolutely. It's almost frustrating.
Do they suck? No.
Are they successful? Yup, nobody can touch them.

This video was created back in 2001 after they released "Silver Side Up."

Great start to a new year

http://www.kroq.com/

The world famous radio station, 106.7 KROQ FM, has just named "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" by The Offspring the #1 song of 2008. That's not a surprise :)

David Wilcox

This video is so bad that it's good. Lyrics are just incredible...