Riki Rachtman: Connection of DIMEBAG's Murder & Randy Blythe's Murder Charges + Feud With Mustaine!

David Alan "Riki" Rachtman can be blamed for helping to revitalize the Heavy Music scene in the 90s. Every Saturday night in the early 1990's, there was a wonderful show called Headbangers Ball, hosted by Rachtman, that highlighted the heaviest, most intense and popular Heavy Music bands in the music scene.

Not only did Rachtman host MTV's Headbangers Ball during its prime era, but he has also been an ambassador to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal ever since. At present time,  Rachtman hosts a NASCAR-themed radio show called Racing Rocks (heard on over 120 stations across America) and Nascar 24/7 Live. While Rachtman is not actively working in the Heavy Music scene today, he is still a huge fan of our music.

Recently, Rachtman called out Mustaine for treating him differently depending on the situation. When Mustaine and Rachtman would hang out, Mustaine acted like a friend. But when Mustaine was alone, he would talk smack about Rachtman in public (read more HERE).

Since we all love to hear about Mustaine's controversial ways, we decided to get Rachtman on the phone and let him explain exactly what happened. During a very honest interview, all of a sudden we started discussing the untimely death of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (whose 8th death anniversary is today) and the connection of such a horrible incident with the current legal battle that LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe is currently facing.

Without further due, here is our exclusive interview with Riki Rachtman.



Join us tonight:

Related links:
Follow Rikki Rachtman
Cathouse
Pantera
Lamb Of God
Megadeth

CLUTCH + PRONG + LIONIZE In North America - Tour Dates Available!

Maryland rockers CLUTCH are currently in the midst of a North American tour which features headlining shows, co-headlining dates with HELLYEAH and a radio festival appearance. Today CLUTCH is excited to announce a headlining run for this summer with Prong and Lionize providing support. The tour is scheduled to kick off July 11th in Fayetteville, AR and currently scheduled to wrap up on July 22nd in Richmond, VA.

CLUTCH will also be returning to Europe this festival season. The band has been confirmed for the Sonisphere Festival in Madrid Spain on May 26th and the Peace and Love Festival in Borlänge, Sweden on June 29th. For those European fans that have been clamoring for the exclusive double LP vinyl reissues, you will be glad to know that they are being released in Europe. Blast Tyrant will be the first in the series of reissues and it will be released on May 25th.

CLUTCH will be releasing a 7" picture disc single of the new track "Pigtown Blues" on June 19th. (The digital single will be released June 5th) This is the first new studio material from CLUTCH since 2009's Strange Cousins From the West,and the first simultaneous worldwide release for Weathermaker Music. The track "Pigtown Blues" will be debuted on "The Rock Show With Daniel P. Carter" which airs weekly on BBC/Radio 1.

In other Weathermaker Music news, the label has lined up two special releases for this summer. The first release is a limited edition 7" single from the Legendary New York Hardcore band THE MOB. The band recently entered the studio to record new material for their new single Back to Queens, which will be released July 17th. THE MOB will be playing their first show together in over five years as part of this year's Black N' Blue Bowl which will be held May 19th at Webster Hall in New York City.
Additionally Weathermaker Music will release the new "Pros and Cons" EP from THE COMPANY BAND. The EP features five new tracks and will be released on July 31st. THE COMPANY BAND features Neil Fallon, James A. Rota (Fireball Ministry), Jess Margera (CKY), Brad Davis (Fu Manchu) and Dave Bone. Along with the CD Release, Weathermaker Music will release a 12" vinyl limited edition/collectors version of the EP. The EP and the vinyl will be released on July 31st. More details on THE MOB and THE COMPANY BAND releases will be announced shortly.

Lastly in CLUTCH related news, the band has just inked a licensing deal with Fox Sports for the 2012 NASCAR and MLB seasons for the track "The Regulator".

CLUTCH AND HELLYEAH CO-HEADLINING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR (remaining tour dates):

4/24: Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater4/25: Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
4/27 Fargo, ND @ The Venue
4/28: Lincoln, NE @ Box Awesome's Bourbon Lounge
4/29: Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater
5/1: Springfield, MO @ Gillioz Theater
5/2: Wichita, KS @ Cotillion
5/3: Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom (Clutch only)
5/4: Sauget, IL @ Pops
5/5: Chattanooga, TN @ Track 29
5/6: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theater (Clutch only)
5/6: Atlanta, GA @ WLKS Project Cinco Party (Hellyeah only)
5/8: Libertyville, IL @ Austins
5/09 Sioux Falls, SD @ WH LYON Fairgrounds - "Krrofest" (Clutch only)
5/10: Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewery (Clutch only)
5/11: Joilet, IL @ Mojoes
5/12: Detroit, MI @ St Andrews Hall (Clutch only)
5/13: Flint, MI @ Machine Shop (Clutch only)
5/19: Hartford, CT @ WCCC Big Gig (Hellyeah only)
5/27: Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma (Hellyeah only)

CLUTCH WITH PRONG AND LIONIZE:

7/11: Fayetteville, AR @ George's Majestic Lounge
7/13: Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
7/14: Vienna, WV @ Fishbone Gill & Grill
7/15: Louisville, KY @ Waterfront Park (Forecastle Festival)**
7/17: New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
7/18: Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
7/19: Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
7/20: Charlotte, NC @ Amos' Southend
7/22: Richmond, VA @ The National

*CLUTCH Only

**Festival

Related links:
Clutch's Official Site
Weather Music