Mick Wall & Joel McIver Guest on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 386 - Kerrang! Episode 10

Our Kerrang! project continues this week with not one, but two guests. First up we have our perennial co-conspirator Joel McIver. Joel happens to have taken the dive into podcasting with the new show “Dead Rock Stars” which brings me to our second guest this week Joel’s cohost the legendary Mick Wall. 

Any longtime listener will know we’ve tried forever to get Mick on the show and we finally have him on as part of our Kerrang! project.So enjoy part 10 of the project and make sure you add “Dead Rock Stars” to your podcast habit.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Sylvie Simmons Returns To Focus on Metal as We Bring You Kerrang! #7

Episode 343 - Kerrang! Episode 7

Our Kerrang! project continues this week as we bring back journalist Sylvie Simmons. Yep, Sylvie had so much great stuff that we couldn’t fit it all in one episode so we brought her back for more (you can thank us later). If you liked her on Episode 341 you are really gonna like this one too. Find out everything she’s up to at SylvieSimmons.com

Here's a great shot Sylvie shared with us from her LA correspondent days with Kerrang!

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, EarPeeler.com or subscribe on iTunes.

You can hear us every Tuesday night on Pure Rock Radio
and each Wednesday afternoon on Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always

Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

METAL ALLEGIANCE - announce new EP scheduled for August 12th!

METAL ALLEGIANCE have announced they will release a special EP, entitled »Fallen Heroes«, on August 12, 2016. The band united to pay homage to the 3 legends -Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie, and Glenn Frey - who impacted not just their lives but the world as well. 

"The end of 2015 and most of 2016 has been a brutal year with many of our heroes passing," comments Mark Menghi. "When Portnoy called me in January to alert me that Glenn Frey had passed, I literally broke down. That night after having a few Tequila Sunrises in Glenn's honor, a lightbulb went off... We're going to record a few tunes to honor our fallen heroes. I called back Mike that evening and asked him what he thought and the next day we were in the studio recording. By weeks end, all guitars, drums and bass were complete. I can't begin to explain the influence that Glenn Frey, Lemmy, and David Bowie had on me. Each of their music has helped me immensely during some real dark periods of my life and not to mention their influence on me as a musician and songwriter. Lemmy is God, Glenn is King and David is the Architect."

Alex Skolnick comments: "These brilliant artists have an extensive catalogue that is sometimes on the softer side (with the exception of MOTÖRHEAD, of course). So when it came to THE EAGLES & BOWIE, we specifically chose tunes of theirs that are riff-based and translatable to high energy arrangements. For Lemmy, we immediately crossed out 'Ace Of Spades' (great tune but the last thing the world needs is yet another cover version) and chose 'Iron Fist,' which we already had a good handle on from playing live and to us is every bit as much a signature MOTÖRHEAD tune."

"I'm really excited to be a part of the »Fallen Heroes« EP," comments Alissa White-Gluz. "I think we have all felt the weight of losing so many great musicians this year. I think these songs are a cool way to pay tribute to a few people who contributed so much to the world of music and showcase a different side of ourselves."

Recorded at Conclave Studios in New York City, »Fallen Heroes« was produced by Mark Menghi and Alex Skolnick. The album was mixed by Jay Ruston in Los Angeles, CA and mastered at Sterling Sound New York City by Ted Jensen. The initial sketch of the artwork was created by Mark Menghi and Stephen Thompson (ANTHRAX) and was later finalized by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER).

Track list for »Fallen Heroes«:

01. Iron Fist (feat. Troy Sanders)
02. Suffragette City (feat. Mark Osegueda)
03. Life In The Fast Lane (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)

Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

METAL ALLEGIANCE took the news of Lemmy's passing very hard as the bands very first gig was on MOTÖRHEAD's first Motörboat Cruise. It was on that boat where the idea to write a record together and carry the MA flag as a brand/band rather than a sporadic, special event show... all of us in MA are humbly grateful for the opportunity that team MOTÖRHEAD gave us.

In late 2015, the band scheduled a West Coast string of intimate club dates with a stop as the world-famousWhisky A Go-Go. The year concluded with the band heartbroken saying goodbye to their beloved friend. They later found out that his funeral and memorial services would be held the day of their performance. The band was asked by their tour agent who is also MOTÖRHEAD's agent, Lemmy's management, close friends of his, and the owner of the Rainbow and Whisky to incorporate a tribute which of course, they obliged. The day of their performance, Sunset Blvd. was shut down and their bus was parked on a street filled with tears, madness, partiers and a sea of mourning metal heads. They said goodbye to their friend that evening with help from MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee amongst a ton of other special guests.

The next day they played their final show at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Mid-set they were informed that David Bowie had passed. Mark Menghi comments: "I remember coming off stage to trade bass duties with David Ellefson (we would rotate songs) and he stopped me, looked me and Osegueda in the eyes and said "Dude, Bowie just passed away." Literally in mid-set we got that news. I looked at Mark and he was in tears. Not even a minute later, he was on stage telling the Bay Area crowd of the news he just learned. I turned to the side and looked over at Mike Portnoy and he just had his head down with his hands over his head trying to comprehend what Mark was saying. The next few songs was our Lemmy tribute and tears rolled off all of our eyes while paying tribute to one while learning of the passing of another."

METAL ALLEGIANCE live:
11.08. USA Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
14.08. UK Derby - Bloodstock Open Air

Order METAL ALLEGIANCE's self-titled debut here: http://nblast.de/MetalAllegiance

TKO / THE RODS members record MOTORHEAD cover of Ace of Spades as a tribute to Lemmy..

Members of legendary American metal bands TKO and THE RODS recently teamed up to record a high octane version of the MOTORHEAD classic "Ace of Spades" as a tribute to Lemmy.

Video Link - TKO / THE RODS members performing MOTORHEAD - "Ace of Spades" Lemmy tribute cover.

TKO vocalist Brad Sinsel has checked in with the following comment:

Immediately following the death of Rock Legend Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, the surviving members of Motorhead reached out to & simply requested that fans " Play Lemmy's music loud. Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE of this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself."

Former members of TKO gathered together to follow those instructions on a dreary Saturday while tuning into the live broadcast of Lemmy's "Celebration of Life." Brad Sinsel, frontman for TKO / Warbabies / Angels of Dresden, took things a step deeper in his search for closure in the matter. Speaking with guitarist Rick Pierce, bassist Evan Sheeley, Guitarist Brynn Arens, Sinsel asked with a grin, "How 'bout we go in and record some Motorhead? Who's game?

Immediate reaction from everyone was "Hell Yeah!". My next call was to Carl Canady, drummer for the Rods" and I couldn't think of anyone more fitting to do this with, he added.

Dubbed ,"The Lemmy Sessions," TKO entered the studio in celebration of what they viewed as a rock n roll life well lived. Although the plan was never to release the recordings to the public, the final decision was made to release Ace of Spades as a loving tribute to Lemmy. All proceeds will go to the Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up and Shout" Cancer fund.

Carl Canedy has checked in to share his favorite memory of Motorhead's Lemmy:

When The Rods opened for Motorhead at the Calderone Concert Hall in Hampstead, Long Island, New York, we were in the middle of recording our "Live" album for Combat Records.

It was a crazy time for us and I remember having been called to the back of the venue during Motorhead's set. They were so loud that even outside, we had to yell to each other to be heard. Motorhead was so loud, I couldn't believe it. As we'd been called the "American Motorhead" in the first Sounds review by Geoff Barton, I was eager to see them live. They didn't disappoint. It was truly one of the loudest shows I've ever seen.

After the show Lemmy hung out with us at the back of the venue. I remember him being a really good guy. He had his arm around me chatting and offering me his seemingly "never ending" beer. He was patient and kind to the fans. The nicest and most unpretentious guy I'd met in the music business. A true metal icon!

For the latest band news and show dates, visit their official websites

Official TKO Facebook page

Official The Rods website

Just Posted: Alex Beyrodt on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 266 - Voodoo Circle

Returning once again to Focus on Metal is guitarist Alex Beyrodt. Alex is well known as one of the guitarists in German metal powerhouse Primal Fear but he also keeps busy doing other projects including his long standing band Voodoo Circle. Voodoo Circle just released their fourth studio album "Whiskey Fingers" via AFM Records and this week we get the lowdown on it. You can immerse yourself in the work of Voodoo Circle at http://www.voodoocircle.de 

Also this week we engage in a bit of discussion and pay our respects to the legendary Lemmy Kilmister.

For those interested there's an official condolence page where you can share your Lemmy stories and artwork or read some great stories from others at facebook.com/lemmykilmisterforlife

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Focus on Metal is damn proud to be part of The Blast Syndicate. You can get this show as well as many other kick ass metal podcasts by clicking the link below.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

DANGEROUS TOYS / BROKEN TEETH vocalist Jason McMaster: Hanging and learning Lemmy things.

DANGEROUS TOYS / BROKEN TEETH vocalist Jason McMaster has shared his favorite memories of Motorhead's Lemmy.

I heard Motorhead for the very firs time in spring of 1981. I was about 17 years old and the Ace of Spades record was brand new. They were touring with Ozzy's Blizzard of Ozz through Texas and my friends had seen them live. I missed my chance at that time.

Fast forward to 1988.

My band Dangerous Toys was recording with Ozzy's producer Max Norman (Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, Megadeth; Y&T; Fates Warning; Armored Saint; Loudness) at Sound City studios in Van Nuys, California. We all went to the Rainbow Bar & Grill for the very first time, starry eyed with hopes to run into someone famous. That someone was Lemmy. Max busted my balls telling him I did a Lemmy impersonation. Max made me do it for him. It was ridiculous. Lemmy was unphased and super down to earth. We all wound up sitting at his table for hours.

In summer 1991, our 2nd major label release "Hellacious Acres" put Dangerous Toys 2nd on the bill of the legendary Operation Rock N Roll U.S. tour with Judas Priest, Alice Cooper Motorhead and Metal Church.

I saw Lemmy everyday for about two months and got to hang and learn Lemmy things. I have a video of Lemmy wearing "Daisy Dukes" playing guitar and former Motorhead guitarist Wurzel (R.I.P.) just drinking in our dressing room and jamming along on the song "Leaving Here". I cherish it, even though it is not that great.

Lemmy gave me his number and we kept in touch.(I still have his business card with hand written address and phone number on the back).

In early 1992, we were writing new music and Lemmy offered his lyrical skill to the cause. I still have the hand written lyrics give to me by Lemmy in yellow legal pad paper signed and dated by L. Kilmister. It was crazy to get that in my mailbox.

We dropped by with a cassette of the song at a Motorhead rehearsal, where they were rehearsing with who at the time was their new drummer Mikkey Dee. We hung out, listened to the song and Lemmy says "I wrote it as a 12 barre", kinda like a WTF moment. We were thinking he didn't like it that much, that we had opted out of writing something that sounded like a Motorhead song.

The song never made any final cut but the mere fact that he would offer some kid in a band he may not have liked much, a hand in helping with some lyrics still blows my mind.

Me and my friends had a blast hanging with him, touring with him and writing with him. We were not close, but he made us feel that we were all connected.

Fast forward to 2015.

Little did we know. My band Broken Teeth were recording our recently released "Bulldozer" record, we planned for the Motorhead song "The Hammer" to be on it; as it was always a favorite off of the Ace of Spades album. 

Like most bands, we wanted to have a couple of kick ass cover songs to make it even more fun.

In hindsight, it is very sad to have lost two founding members of the original Motorhead line-up (drummer Philthy "Animal" Taylor and Lemmy) just months after the album's release.

"Born to Lose, Live to Win"...Infamous words, even while they were walking and breathing in his song or on his tattoo. I say farewell now, to the General of Rock N Roll, Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister. We were not close, but you brought me in and fed me. I will never leave you. Thank you sir.

I believe in Motorhead. Greatest words I've ever said, Motorhead, never dead".

Jason McMaster
Motorhead Fan

For the latest band news and show dates, visit their official websites

Official Dangerous Toys website

Official Broken Teeth website

Just posted: Joel McIver is our guest on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 264 - McIver Alive V

Joel McIver helps us wrap up 2015 by making his fifth appearance on Focus on Metal. Joel chimes in on his thoughts on the year in metal and also lets us know what's going on in the land of McIver. Find out what he's up to at http://www.joelmciver.co.uk/ Besides his fine books Joel is also a driving force behind Bass Guitar magazine which you can find on the web at bassguitarmagazine.com

I'm sure that even Joel would agree that the single biggest impact of 2015 is the recent death of the legendary Lemmy. It's a massive blow to music, metal and the next generation of bass players that will never get to see (and feel) how bass can truly drive the bus.

Big thanks to all of you for a great 2015 and we look forward to a most metal 2016. No new show next week but we'll be embarking on the 2016 edition of Focus on Metal the week after with a massive music episode.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us Tuesdays on Platinum Rock Radio and be sure to check their schedule because we usually get a repeat run during the week.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

Focus on Metal is damn proud to be part of The Blast Syndicate. You can get this show as well as many other kick ass metal podcasts by clicking the link below.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Just posted: Mike Lepond on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 248 - Mike Lepond

A bit of prog this week as we welcome bassist Mike Lepond to the show. Mike will of course be talking about the latest release from Symphony X, "Underworld". He also gives us some insight into his solo venture Mike Lepond's Silent Assassins. Also this week a bit of discussion on some timely metals topics and of course a track of the week. Our track of the week this week "Mad As Hell" comes courtesy of Frontiers Records from Frank Dimino's latest one "Old Habits Die Hard". Nice to see he hasn't lost anything since his days in Angel.

Get your prog fix at http://www.symphonyx.com or hook up with Mike at https://www.facebook.com/mikelepondssilentassassins and of course find out about all the latest metal releases from Frontiers at http://www.frontiers.it/

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us Tuesdays on Platinum Rock Radio and be sure to check their schedule because we usually get a repeat run during the week.

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio, Metal World Radio,  and now on The Indie Authority

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead joins forces with KnuckleBonz on a Limited Edition Statue

November 7, 2013:  KnuckleBonz®, creator of the Rock Iconz® music collectible series, announces today that they have entered into an agreement with Global Merchandising Services who represent the worldwide merchandising rights for Lemmy Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD.   KnuckleBonz will be producing a high end, limited edition collectible statue of Lemmy.

In late October, MOTÖRHEAD released their 21st album, Aftershock and last week the band announced that the album has garnered their biggest selling first week and highest US chart debut numbers to date! A few of those numbers include #22 Billboard top 200, #3 Hard Music, #8 Rock, #16 Physical and #59 Digital.  In addition, internationally, the album shot to #5 in Germany and Finland and #7 in Austria.

“We are very excited to be working with Knucklebonz and we look forward to a long and successful partnership,”   said Tracy Stone, President of Global Merchandising USA. 

The Lemmy/ Motörhead Rock Iconz Statue will be produced in very limited quantities for Q4 2013.  The statue will start shipping in December 2013 in limited quantities.  The statue will be available internationally in early 2014. This collectible is numbered, hand-painted and has a certificate of authenticity. Only 1000 will be available worldwide.

“Lemmy has done something few musicians have,” says Tony Simerman, President and Creative Director of KnuckleBonz, Inc. He explains, “Motörhead’s fusion of punk into hard rock was the original speed that excited audiences and blurred the lines such that loyal fans did not care about defining the music into a category; it was just ‘Motörhead’. Lemmy helped change the face of all rock music. Motörhead’s spark ignited speed metal and thrash forever. Our goal at KnuckleBonz is to capture Lemmy as he appears during a performance.  We are long-time Motörhead fans and are particularly excited about creating his Rock Iconz statue,” says Simerman.

The Lemmy/ Motörhead Rock Iconz Statue captures Lemmy’s likeness in amazing detail. The KnuckleBonz team of artists focused their attention on getting the image and likeness correct along with attention to developing the detail in his tattoos, his iconic boots and his signature hat. The War Pig sculpted at the base of the statue adds perfectly to the overall vibe and design of the statue.

Pricing and Availability
The Lemmy/ Motörhead Rock Iconz statue stands 9” tall on top a wooden display base. The figure is limited to only 1000 worldwide and sells for $125 USD direct from KnuckleBonz at www.knucklebonz.com. Pre-orders are taken at www.knucklebonz.com to reserve this limited edition collectible. The Lemmy statue will also be available through select retailers worldwide. The Lemmy/ Motörhead Rock Iconz statue is expected to ship in limited quantities in December 2013.