October 2014 – Skin Back Alley

Sixx A.M. stream cover of Cars classic single, “Drive”

29/08/201429/08/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Sixx A.M. have made their cover of The Cars’ classic single, “Drive”, available to stream.

The song is set to feature on the band’s new album, Modern Vintage, scheduled for release on the 6th of October via Eleven Seven Music.

Sixx A.M. singer James Michael says: “It took us three records to do a cover song, but I’m so glad that we waited. And I’m so glad we chose to do the one we did.”

Bassist Nikki Sixx says they toyed with doing a cover of Elvin Bishop’s “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” before settling on “Drive”.

Sixx adds: “One day I called Michael up and just sang the opening line to “Drive”, and he said, ‘That’s a Sixx AM song.’ I think it was an opportunity to cover a song that is so defined that you have to be very careful not to wreck it. That song is so loved by so many people, including us, that we really wanted to pay a real tribute to it, and I believe we have.”

“Drive” was originally a hit for The Cars in 1985.

The full tracklist for Modern Vintage is:

01. “Stars”
01. “Gotta Get It Right”
03. “Relief”
04. “Get Ya Some”
05. “Let’s Go”
06. “Drive”
07. “Give Me A Love”
08. “Hyperventilate”
09. “High On The Music”
10. “Miracle”
11. “Before It’s Over”

You can listen to Sixx A.M.’s version of “Drive” below:

Phil Anselmo confirms Superjoint Ritual reunion

20/08/201420/08/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Photo (C) Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns/Getty Images

Phil Anselmo has confirmed that Superjoint Ritual will play a set at this year’s Housecore Horror Film Festival.

Anselmo has previously dismissed any chance of a reunion following a fallout with drummer Joe Fazzio which led to the band splitting in 2004.

Asked in 2011 about a reunion, Anselmo said: “Absolutely a hundred percent no fucking way. There’s too many sour feelings, too much bad business. I don’t take steps backwards any more.”

But the bad blood must have been put to one side for now, as Anselmo has said in a statement ahead of the film festival set: “If people want to hear Superjoint jam a badass set, then we’re all for giving the people what they want.”

The festival, co-owned by the ex-Pantera singer and author Corey Mitchell, takes place at Emo’s in Austin on October 23-36. Also confirmed on the bill are Gwar.

Anselmo and co. will be billed for the festival simply as “Superjoint”, as an unidentified legal issue will prevent them using their previous full band name.

Machine Head announce 21 date US tour

29/07/2014 by skinbackalley, posted in News

Metal veterans Machine Head have announced a 21 date US tour, with support coming from heavyweights such as Children Of Bodom, Epica and Battlecross.

Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn said: “Machine Head raised the bar with concert production for 2012‘s Locust tour, and now we plan to raise the bar again with our biggest US show yet, and the strongest lineup out there for 2014, period. This is a must-see event for any heavy metal fan in America.”

“I am stoked that we were able to join up with our friends in Children Of Bodom, one of the premier power metal bands of our time, and our friends in Battlecross, who we toured with on Mayhem last year, and are going to bring the old-school thrash vibe. Epica’s symphonic metal will add a touch of much-needed class to the drunken shenanigans that will surely take place on this raucous tour.”

Children Of Bodom singer Alexi Laiho said he’s looking forward to being able to get vocal points from Machine Head mainman, Flynn: “We’ve rolled with Machine Head quite a few times in the past. My best memories are kick-ass shows, parties, camaraderie and vocal coaching from Robb Flynn way back in 2008, so I think we’ll have a good time tearing it up all over North America. Not a bad way to end the long and non-stop tour cycle for Halo Of Blood.”

The tour kicks off in Denver on the 4th of October and draws to a close in Hollywood on the 1st of November.