February 2, 2012 in 11, 12, 2, 27, 28, 3, 9, a, after, Again, age, all, Also, am, an, and, another, Artie, as, at, ban, band, beginning, big, Bill, black, Burn, but, ca, center, cup, Day, down, en, Eve, fail, FEAT, fee, fi, First, FOR, four, Free, From, gain, get, gin, Good, Guitar, guitarist, hampton, hi, Hope, How, in, is, IT, jam, know, las, Last, late, leave, let, Like, love, lure, MA, metal, MI, money, Much, Music, My, Nat, nate, nc, New, News, NJ, no, nothing, NV, ny, of, on, one, op, out, PA, Part, Phish, photos, play, pro, production, Pt, read, reunion, rock, rock music, row, rs, Say, show, Shows, So, Something, SPAC, St, start, state, story, tab, That, the, to, Too, tour, union, us, WA, war, we, Web, with, years, You |
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS THROW A WRENCH IN REUNION PLANS
Bill Ward |
The previously announced Black Sabbath reunion is now in doubt as drummer Bill Ward has threatened to leave the band unless he receives a “signable contract”. This is only the latest hiccup in the reunion, as guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with Lymphoma last month. Read the full statement from Bill Ward’s website below:
“Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,
At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a “signable” contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.
Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.
Since the news of Tony’s illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I’ve spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I’ve tried to find out what’s going on with the U.K. sessions, I’ve realized that I’ve been getting “the cold shoulder” (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what’s happening unless I sign “the unsignable contract.”
The place I’m in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.
If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.
So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.
My position is not greed-driven. Im not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.
That’s the story so far.
Stay safe and stay strong.
I love every single one of you.
Bill Ward
Tags: big, burn, fee, gain, Guitar, metal, only-the-latest, reunion, Too, union, war, Web
January 28, 2012 in 12, 17, 2, 27, 28, 3, 50, 9, 99, a, age, all, am, an, and, Are, as, at, balance, ban, band, bands, black, blue, Burn, but, by, ca, cat, center, chicago, chris, City, CO., Crowd, DAW, denver, down, en, Encore, end, Enjoy, Eve, Eyed, fee, fi, finish, First, FOR, From, Germany, glow, Good, Guitar, hampton, hi, high, home, Hope, How, ice, in, into, is, IT, IX, jam, jar, Joy, Jr, late, let, light, Like, live, live music, log, love, MA, Meat, metal, MI, mix, Mr, Music, nc, New, News, night, NJ, no, NV, ny, of, on, one, op, Open, opener, opening, out, PA, Phish, photos, Pop, Pot, Pt, rad, rant, rock, row, rs, SC, set, show, Shows, So, song, sound, SPAC, St, start, step, tab, Taste, the, times, to, Too, tour, us, venue, view, WA, Walk, war, waves, Way, ways, we, Weed, Ween, with, words, You, Your |
Words & Images by: Brad Hodge
Wilco :: 01.19.12 :: Fillmore Auditorium :: Denver, CO
Photo gallery below review!
 Wilco by Brad Hodge |
Underneath the ambient glow of the Fillmore Auditoriums iconic purple chandeliers, a buzz began to grow. As the sold out crowd ushered in early for Wilcos tour opener White Denim began to burrow into the ear holes of those paying attention. What often times is considered to be a rather heartless box of a venue with overpriced cocktails actually had a wonderful mix of sound. Heavy guitar riffs permeated throughout the venue, and many first timers were christened by the unique, harmonious indie pop sound of White Denim.
Despite the phenomenal opening set, the evening really was about Wilco. They had not been to Denver in a while, and Im pretty sure theyve never opened a tour here. The band seemed to really enjoy the scene as they got right down to business opening the show with an old delightful Yankee Hotel Foxtrot tune Poor Places. This was followed by the pairing of Art of Almost and I Might, early favorites from the bands recent successful release, The Whole Love. In perfect harmony with the wants and needs of the audience, the band offered up a tasteful balance of old and new material with a song from almost every album in the bands catalog.
 Wilco by Brad Hodge |
Jeff Tweedy, being the well-rounded showman he is, flaunted his sense of humor with between song banter including a rant about the aroma of the venue. Is pot legal here? It smells really legal in here. This band reinvents themselves with every new album, and their live show almost always flawlessly offers up the seemingly impossible recreation of impeccable songs. Their ability to harmoniously assault the airwaves with a bevy of sounds while Tweedys voice slices through all the madness is really like no other.
As what seemed to be a perfect night started to fade with the set closing Shot in the Arm, satisfaction fell across the crowd. However, when Tweedy and crew stepped back out for the encore apparently they had no plans of going home, launching into an eight-song encore including Whole Love and finishing a good solid 45 minutes later with Im a Wheel. The band seemed to really like Denver, and will hopefully make it back sooner than later, but for the rest of the country they are headed your way, and are not to be missed.
Setlist
Poor Places, Art of Almost, I Might, Misunderstood, Side With The Seeds, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, One Wing, She’s A Jar, Impossible Germany, Via Chicago, Kamera, Born Alone, Capitol City, War On War, Box Full Of Letters, Pot Kettle Black, Dawned On Me, A Shot In The Arm
Encore: Whole Love, Heavy Metal Drummer, Walken, I’m The Man Who Loves You, Red-Eyed And Blue, I Got You (At The End Of The Century), Outtasite (Outta Mind), I’m A Wheel
1/19/12 – Wilco @ The Fillmore Auditorium (Denver, CO) View Photos
Wilco Tour Dates :: Wilco News
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Tags: balance, blue, burn, city, Phish, set, song, venue, waves
January 21, 2012 in 11, 12, 12/31, 12/31/11, 2, 2001, 2011, 3, 30, 31, 50, 9, a, after, Again, Against, age, all, Also, am, an, and, another, Are, around, as, at, ban, band, bands, Bass, beginning, bh, big, Bill, Burn, but, by, ca, can, cat, center, chris, City, close, Closer, COLUMBUS, comes, community, concert, covers, Crowd, dance, Day, down, Drums, electric, en, Encore, end, epic, Eve, fee, festival, fi, First, FOR, friday, Friend, From, front, gain, Genre, get, gin, give, glow, GMA, Groove, Guitar, hampton, hi, high, home, Hope, How, ice, in, inspiration, into, is, IT, jam, key, Keyboard, Keyboards, Keys, Killing, King, know, Labor, las, Last, let, life, live, live music, love, MA, machine, maze, mcconnel, mcconnell, MI, midnight, mike, miles, Music, name, nc, New, News, night, no, nothing, ny, NYE, of, on, one, op, Open, opening, out, PA, Pavilion, Phish, photos, play, Pot, pro, Pt, rage, redding, rock, room, row, rs, run, SC, scent, sci, set, show, Shows, So, Something, song, Soul, sound, SPAC, St, stage, start, state, style, Summer, tab, That, the, to, Too, tour, two, us, va, view, vocal, WA, war, waves, Way, we, with, words |
Words by: Alicyn Lane | Images by: Brian Hockensmith
Papadosio with The Werks :: 12.30.11-12.31.11 :: LC Pavilion :: Columbus, OH
Full gallery for two night run below review!
 Papadosio by Brian Hockensmith |
Papadosio and The Werks combined forces for the New Year to host what would become one of the best local events of the year. The Ohio bands brought it all back home for a two night celebration at the LC Pavilion in downtown Columbus. They would go on to play to a sold out crowd on New Years Eve, making the night only more remarkable. Playing host to fans from all across the state and beyond, what the bands had in store was nothing short of a genuinely crafted live musical experience that came straight from the heart. With their inclusion of live art in the spatial context of their sets, The LC was set up to also host painters, hoopers, and dancers/performers. Reminiscent of both the bands respective festivals, Rootwire and The Werk Out, familiar faces glowed in every corner. Both bands have a strong following of dedicated friends and fans that will relentlessly turn out, thus completing the creative circle of artistic collaboration within the musical landscape. When it comes to The Werks and Papadosio, everyone has something to bring to the table.
Both bands defy genre classification with ease, which in turn makes them noticeably intriguing and mesmerizing to watch. Each band is uniquely comprised of heavy hitters that cover all realms of their crafted sounds. Rob Chafin (drums), Dino Dimitrouleas (bass), Norman Dimitrouleas (keyboards), and Chris Houser shredding the guitar merge their individual and respective strengths to form The Werks, which is truly a product of each of their own eclectic musical influences. At the heart of Papadosio is Anthony Thogmartin (guitar, keys), Mike Healy (drums), Rob McConnell (bass), Billy Brouse (keys), and Sam Brouse (keys). The five talented guys excel with their inspirational artistic means of expression through music.
 The Werks by Brian Hockensmith |
Friday night brought in opening acts The Polish Ambassador and the on-the-rise Space Panda. The Werks played a high energy set as they threw down Althea for the first time, brought Mike Healy out on drums to jam, and at one point Space Panda on the keys. They were then followed by Papadosio, who took the stage to headline the evening, playing a set to warm the soul with excitement and smiles. As fans began to arrive in town, the first night was a gratifying one with a peaceful edge as friends reunited and anticipated the impending epic-ness to come the next night.
Night two was packed full of energy and new faces. As the start of the event got closer, the news of a possible sell out was lifting as last minute fans snagged their tickets and pushed The LC to capacity for the inevitable sold out evening. Local bands RoeVY and Karma/Attak kicked it off and the crowd began to pour in. Papadosio would go on first to an ever-expanding crowd, stoking the excitement as midnight drew closer and closer. At just about midnight, the beginning of the end ensued as The Werks joined Papadosio onstage, combining their magical musical powers to become Werkadosio. They kicked off the collaboration with Polygons, a song by Papadosio. It was becoming more clear by the minute that something incredible was about to happen. The countdown began, instigating the crowd into an eruption of excitement as the tolling of bells and clocks rang throughout the room, and the heartbeat pounding thuds followed. There was only amazement as fans realized what the guys had put together as they covered Pink Floyds Time. Masterfully recreated into the Werkadosio style to initiate the New Year, the moment was transcendental.
 The Werks & Papadosio by Brian Hockensmith |
Then it became The Werks set again as they continued to awe the room with high energy grooves, and some new and bar-raising covers. The Werks debuted OG, covered R.E.Ms Its the End of the World, and rocked Liquid as former member Chuck Love joined the guys for yet another astonishing moment. The jam was so emotionally charged that it appeared to send waves of electricity throughout the room. The set hit yet another high point as the guys covered Rage Against the Machines Killing In the Name for the first time with Norm on vocals. The night was brought to the perfect end as Papadosio joined The Werks again to play a 2001 encore, which included Chuck.
The two bands are at the forefront of what appears to be a shift occurring in the musical world. After a strong summer of numerous festivals and shows all over the country, the two bands took the beginning of 2012 head on and at full speed. For some time now, they have been progressing at a fast rate, astounding fans as they appear to just be getting better and better each time out. NYE was proof of that, and it signified the beginning of a new outlook for this musical family that encourages and is enthusiastic about change, progress, and the promise of what the future holds for us all.
The Werkadosio collaboration represented a New Year of transformation, a shift and change towards a different level of musical experience and consciousness. At the heart of these two bands is a message around the idea of love and appreciation, as well as positivity and one-ness which pulses throughout each song and in every set they play. The two have proven that we as a live music community can transform to become bigger and better. It gives hope that music can be more than just a concert. With their feet well through the door, and the potential to irreversibly change the world of music as we know it, it appears these guys arent going anywhere anytime soonand thats just that way we want it.
12/30/11 – 12/31/11 – The Werks and Papadosio @ Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (Columbus, OH) View Photos
Papadosio Tour Dates :: Papadosio News
The Werks Tour Dates :: The Werks News
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Tags: 2011, bands, big, hampton, heart, night, redding, view