Travis Barker Posts to His MySpace Blog
October 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Barker has updated his MySpace blog with news about his condition and a few pics from his hospital stay. The post includes a remembrance of his friends Chris and Che; many thank-yous to friends, family, and fans for their support; extra double-special thank-yous to all the doctors and nurses who have treated him; and—most surprising—a not-so-subtle dig at Shanna Moakler (”Despite any rumors you might have heard via my EX-wife Shanna Moakler, who I have not seen since the week I checked in…”). Travis also writes a bit about his recovery process:
Like the doctors said from the beginning, its been a slow recovery process. I am coming up on the 7th of my surgeries Monday. Today I finally was able to move all my fingers on my right hand. Every step seems huge at this point, and Im doing EVERYTHING I can possibly do to get back to my kids. Yes, I did start eating meat again, but if it helps me to be home holding my little humans sooner, then its all worth it.
Buy Lars Ulrich’s Basquiat…
October 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
…if your bank account has bunches and bunches of zeros to spare. The Metallica drummer will be auctioning a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting, “Untitled (Boxer)”, at Christie’s on November 12. The record for a Basquiat work is currently $14 million, but auctioneers are anticipating that “Boxer” will go for a whole lot more. Not that it’s all about the money, of course. Ulrich said:
As a collector I view myself as a caretaker of works of art, rather than simply an owner. I have been fortunate enough to have shared 10 great years with this truly iconic painting by Basquiat, and it is time to put it back into circulation, and let someone else enjoy it as much as I have over the last decade.
So very kind.

T-Shirts for Travis Barker’s Friends
October 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Limited-edition T-shirts honoring Chris Baker and Charles “Che” Still will be sold by Travis Barker’s clothing site, Famous Stars and Straps, starting October 13. The shirt was designed by pro skateboarder and Famous Stars manager Felix Arguelles and artist Maxx “maxx242″ Gramajo. All proceeds will go to Baker’s and Still’s families.

Travis Barker Video Update
October 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The video below summarizes the interview Travis recently gave to Us Weekly.
Josh Freese Is Leaving NIN…
October 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
…But not right away. He’ll first complete Nine Inch Nails’ North American tour, which kicks off October 23. No details yet on why Freese is vacating the NIN throne, but Trent Reznor recently posted this on the band’s website:
Josh Freese fans, be sure to check out a show on the upcoming North American leg of the tour, as sadly they will be the last ones he’s playing with us. He informed me he’s leaving the tour at the end of this year. Yes, we are still dear friends. No, I’m not sure what we are going to do.
Here is a list of dates announced so far (courtesy of Metal Underground):
10.23.08 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
10.25.08 New Orleans, LA Voodoo Festival, City Park
10.28.08 Orlando, FL UCF Arena
10.29.08 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
10.31.08 Nashville, TN Sommet Center
11.01.08 Greenville, SC Bi-Lo Center
11.03.08 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
11.05.08 Charlottesville, VA John Paul Jones Arena
11.08.08 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Arena
11.09.08 Worchester, MA DCU Center (rescheduled from previous date)
11.11.08 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Place
11.12.08 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
11.14.08 Hamilton, ON Copps Coliseum
11.15.08 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
11.17.08 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
11.18.08 Fort Wayne, IN Memorial Coliseum
11.20.08 Cedar Rapids, IA US Cellular Center
11.21.08 Columbia, MO Mizzou Arena
11.22.08 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
11.25.08 Minneapolis, MN Target Center (rescheduled from previous date)
11.26.08 Council Bluffs, IA Mid-America Center
11.28.08 Rapid City, SD Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena
11.29.08 Billings, MT MetraPark Arena
12.01.08 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
12.04.08 Kelowna, BC Prospera Place
12.05.08 Victoria, BC Save On Foods Memorial Centre
12.07.08 Portland, OR Rose Garden Arena
12.08.08 Nampa, ID Idaho Center
12.09.08 Missoula, MT Adams Center
12.12.08 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
12.13.08 Las Vegas, NV Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino
Joey Jordison Returns
October 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
According to Rhythm magazine, Joey Jordison and his broken ankle are now in drum-slaying shape and scaring the hell out of the Japanese. The band released the following statement today:
After numerous flights we arrived in Nagoya, Japan two days ago. Joey is on fire and we had a killer rehearsal with the full band. Tonight is the first—it’s on! We just shot a video for “Dead Memories” that we’ll be unleashing to the world in the next couple weeks. This one is psychological—you’re in for a journey. We’re just starting a world tour—so we hope to see all of you.

New Morgan Rose Interview
October 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose recently chatted with the site Saw*Kick for over 30 minutes. He dishes on the band’s tour, the departure of guitarist Sonny Mayo, the return of Clint Lowery, and a whole lot more. Download or stream the interview here.

Ask Chad Smith a Question
October 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Music Radar is taking questions for Chad Smith. Just leave your query in the comments section here (though you do, alas, have to register first on Music Radar). One of our favorites so far:
Do you sometimes cringe when you read Anthony’s lyrics and WTF is a rockapotamus ferchristsakes LOL

Chad Smith to Record and Tour Soon
October 5, 2008 | 1 Comment
…But not with the Chili Peppers. Instead, he’ll be hitting the road with supergroup Chickenfoot…except that the name of the band featuring Smith, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Joe Satriani probably won’t be fowl related at all. Satriani recently told Billboard that “Chickenfoot” was only a working title Hagar came up with. What’s definitely not in question, though, is Smith’s ability to rock the shit out of their tunes:
“The material is really slamming, and anybody who has ever been around Chad knows that he is a very huge personality, a very high-energy guy, and his drumming in person is explosive,” Satriani said. “This band really gives him carte blanche to go crazy. I think it’s the best of what you’d expect, that’s the best way to put it. No one is acting out of character.”

Ian Matthews Masterclass
October 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Did you dust off your passport for the Fausto Cuevas masterclass a few days ago? If so, you might want to just stay in the U.K. because the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is hosting another masterclass on October 23, this time with Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews. Doors open at 7 p.m.


