Christian Olde Wolbers Is Not The NEW MACHINE HEAD Bassist!

As previously reported, MACHINE HEAD are currently searching for a NEW bassist after letting go of Adam Duce. Robb Flynn and the boys have been holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.

One of the bass players that they auditioned was none other than former FEAR FACTORY bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, but according to a post Christian did on his Facebook page, he did not land the job:

"There she goes back in the case.. Probably where she belongs.."

MACHINE HEAD haven't announced who will be their bassist at these years Mayhem Fest (full agenda below).

The band is currently busy writing music for the follow-up to 2011's 'Unto The Locust'. A late 2013 release is projected. Here is an update from Robb Flynn.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

MACHINE HEAD's Robb Flynn Pays Tribute To SLAYER's Jeff Hanneman!

During a recent entry of Robb Flynn's "THE GENERAL JOURNALS: DIARY OF A FRONTMAN... AND OTHER RAMBLINGS", Flynn wrote in detail about the legacy of Jeff Hanneman and shared a bunch of stories that he shared with the legendary guitarist who passed away recently from liver failure. Here is what Flynn wrote:

"Still can't believe the Jeff Hanneman from Slayer is dead, things like that just don't happen. Thrashers don't die??!! WTF!!??

I'm not going to sit here and say how him and I were best buds or something, we definitely weren't, I'd barely call us acquaintances, I did 8 tours and over 120 shows with the dude and honestly, I never really got to "know him". I was always closer with Kerry. Jeff was super quiet, really kept to himself, would get rowdy when he was drunk, but was a bit aloof, and seemed annoyed at the people partying around him despite the fact that he himself would be getting hammered.

I can remember some good hangs with him though. The first was in Basel, Switzerland back in November, 1994 when Machine Head was main support to Slayer on the Divine Intervention tour. It was one of those shows were something so random happens it just never leaves you, in this case, the show was sponsored by Chesterfield cigarettes and every kid entering the show got 2 free packs of smokes. I've never seen so much smoke in a venue in my life. I remember walking onstage and yelling at our roadie / everything-guy Mike Scum, "DUDE, turn off the fuckin' smoke machine", he said "YOOOOO, it's not the smoke machine bro, it's the cigarettes!" It was damn near impossible to breath onstage. After the show we were hanging backstage and Jeff walked back, we started bitching about the crazy cigarette show, and he invited me back to the dressing room to grab a beer, we sat down and chatted for a while, and then I went all Slayer-nerd on him and started grilling him on what songs he wrote.

Me: "Who wrote Angel Of Death?"
Jeff: "I did"
Me: "Lyrics too?"
Jeff: "Yep"
Me: "Reign In Blood?"
Jeff: "Me"
Me: "Dead Skin Mask?"
Jeff: "Yep"
Me: "South Of Heaven?"
Jeff: "Me"
Me: "Black Magic?"
Jeff: "You know it"
Me: "Hell Awaits?"
Jeff: "Yep"

On and on it went, that man wrote both the music and lyrics to a large goddamn portion of my favorite Slayer songs. He was a huge influence on my songwriting growing up in particular with arrangements and the bold use of key changes. The one thing Slayer band always had over so many other bands is they were all over the guitar neck when it came to key changes. Leads would be in some of the most random keys ever, but somehow it made it all that much more frantic, and when the chorus kicked back in, BOOM! CRUSHING! Set up perfectly. He was one of the few metal heads I met who never really got into Pantera, he told me he "liked some stuff", but thought they we're "too bluesy at times", and that he "liked more evil notes or sad riffs"

Another good memory was sharing a tour bus on the August 2001 Korean / Japan / Australia tour, it was all fly-dates and hotels, we were sharing crew, tour manager and manager, so we all rode on the bus together to and from the airport to the hotel every day. Sometimes the rides were an hour or two, so you'd just all BS and hang. One time a kid in Australia bum-rushed the bus while we were all sitting in it, hammered after partying one night. He was desperate for autographs and came on the bus screaming (what else?) "SLAAAAAAAAAYYYYYEEEEERRRR!!!" He then saw me and went all, "Oh shit, Robb Flynn, mate I fuckin' LOVE Machine Head, but it's fuckin' SLAAAAAAAYYYYYYYEEEERRRRR" I looked the fucker right in the eye and slurred, "Oh just FUCK RIGHT OFF!!" Hannamen fell out dying, he laughed for 10 minutes straight, cracked him up, that slightly feminine high pitched giggle that he always did.

Dude backed me when Kerry King and I were beefin all that time long ago, he would come up to me at festivals and would talk, just be normal. He even backed me in Decibel magazine when they asked him about the beef, saying "Robb is a good dude", and that "Kerry was like the girlfriend of the band, always beefin' with someone". I got a good laugh outta that.

The last memory I'll share is from the American leg of the Divine Intervention tour in March 1995. It was Slayer band, Biohazard supporting, and Machine Head opening. We were playing the International Ballroom in Atlanta Georgia. He had been sitting out some of the new songs from "Divine", which was odd to me. We were hanging out in their dressing room before the show, just him and I, and I mustered up the nerve to ask him what the deal with it was. At first he joked that he just "didn't feel like learning them, didn't like 'em, Kerry wrote them", he was chuckling, and then he stopped. He looked down and got serious. He said he'd been having a lot of pain in his wrists, his hands and wrists were going numb all the time, and would go numb during those songs because they were really fast, then he started to cry. It was a startling confession. I offered some awkward feel-good comment, but he just continued to cry, and I decided to sit there in the silence with him for a minute. He gave me a hug, and said "Whoa!", and laughed walked out toward the stage, turned back and said "thanks dude".

It was an intense moment, one of those rare, intense moments you have with someone, let alone with someone from another band.

It made me really respect the dude.

That's the Jeff I'm gonna remember.

To Kerry, Tom, Dave, Paul, Rick Sales Mgmt and Jeff's family, my sincere condolences.

R.I.P brother."




As previously reported, MACHINE HEAD has begun jamming some NEW music, and the recording sessions are going very smoothly according to Robb Flynn. Here is what he recently posted on The General Journals (sign up HERE):

"We've been really productive writing-wise. As of last night we have 4 songs pretty much done musically, another 5 jams / half songs. The song we finished last night felt like it could be something really special. Phil has been on a riff roll, bringing some really unique sounding riffage and Dave McClain (our secret weapon) has brought some damn cool riffs to the table as well."

MACHINE HEAD on the road in 2013:
HEADLINE DATES: (Tix on sale now)

JUNE 24 - Spokane WA. Knitting Factory [Spokane]
http://sp.knittingfactory.com/event/?id=3531354

JUNE 26 - Portland OR. - Hawthorne Theatre
http://event.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSale.do?performance_id=1717541&cobrand=cascadetickets&method=restoreToken

JUNE 28 - Fresno, CA - Fulton 55
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3536754

ROB ZOMBIE / HEAVY MTL DATES: (Tix on sale now)

AUG 5 - Bonner Springs, KS - Sandstone Amphitheater
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004A8499AA4B5D?artistid=776549&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&tm_link=artist_msg-0_06004A8499AA4B5D

AUG 7 - Sturgis. SD - Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Buffalo Chip

AUG 9 - Columbus. OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05004A6E9B628683?brand=promowest&camefrom=CFC_LCP_pwlive

AUG ? - Montreal, CAN - Heavy MTL
http://heavymtl.com/en/tickets/


Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Subscribe to The General Journals: Diary Of A Frontman... And Other Ramblings
http://thegeneraljournals.hosted.phplist.com/lists/?p=subscribe

Visit The General Journals archive:
http://machinehead1.com/topics/diary

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

MACHINE HEAD "moved to tears" after receiving a one hand bassist audition

MACHINE HEAD have closed the audition period for the bass player position, and are now real busy reviewing all of the submissions. Here is a collective statement from the band:

"A lot of hard work and effort went into each and every submission, with many people bravely making them public for the whole world to see and judge. It took a lot of brass to do that – we earned an even greater respect for our fans in doing so.

"There are some incredible musicians out there, fantastic players who unfortunately did not make an attempt to sing, and thus were ineligible, but you should absolutely keep at it! In fact, in the course of these submissions, it looks like many people have earned a lot of fans in doing so. Congrats!"

The singled out fan Frank Memolo for a special mention: "Many of the men and women who sent in YouTube clips performing, did so with the utmost passion and intensity. But of all the submissions, this man deserves a special mention. He learned and played not only the hardest song of the submission, 'This Is The End', but played it with only one hand.

“It moved some of us to tears. It took a lot of heart to do this. Cheers, Frank Memolo.”

Watch this moving audition here:



As previously reported, MACHINE HEAD has begun jamming some NEW music, and the recording sessions are going very smoothly according to Robb Flynn. Here is what he recently posted on The General Journals (sign up HERE):

"We've been really productive writing-wise. As of last night we have 4 songs pretty much done musically, another 5 jams / half songs. The song we finished last night felt like it could be something really special. Phil has been on a riff roll, bringing some really unique sounding riffage and Dave McClain (our secret weapon) has brought some damn cool riffs to the table as well."

MACHINE HEAD on the road in 2013:

HEADLINE DATES: (Tix on sale now)

JUNE 24 - Spokane WA. Knitting Factory [Spokane]
http://sp.knittingfactory.com/event/?id=3531354

JUNE 26 - Portland OR. - Hawthorne Theatre
http://event.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSale.do?performance_id=1717541&cobrand=cascadetickets&method=restoreToken

JUNE 28 - Fresno, CA - Fulton 55
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3536754

ROB ZOMBIE / HEAVY MTL DATES: (Tix on sale now)

AUG 5 - Bonner Springs, KS - Sandstone Amphitheater
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004A8499AA4B5D?artistid=776549&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&tm_link=artist_msg-0_06004A8499AA4B5D

AUG 7 - Sturgis. SD - Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Buffalo Chip

AUG 9 - Columbus. OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05004A6E9B628683?brand=promowest&camefrom=CFC_LCP_pwlive

AUG ? - Montreal, CAN - Heavy MTL
http://heavymtl.com/en/tickets/


Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

MACHINE HEAD Announce Only U.S. Headline Dates For 2013 + A Few Shows With ROB ZOMBIE!

Machine Head are proud to announce 3 headline shows as part of "The Road To Mayhem Tour", and will be the only headline shows MH are playing in all of 2013. The dates listed are specifically catered to not conflict with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest summer tour where Machine Head are headlining the Jägermeister USA stage.

Says Robb Flynn "We love playing in these markets, the fans in these places don't have the luxury of a hundred shows a month, they're starving for Metal, and they f**king lose their marbles and go BANANAS when Machine Head come there!!"

Phil Demmel added, "All right Summer '13, whatcha got?!?! West Coast Machine Head headlining shows before The Mayhem Fest, that's what!!!!! Look out Spokane, Portland and Fresno, prepare to be F**KED UP!! We'll see you there!!"

Machine Head are asking you, the Head Cases, to do whatever you can to spread the word via Facebook, Twitter, Text or good ol' fashioned flyering about the headline shows and will have a digital downloadable flyer available later this week.

Machine Head will also be playing 4 post-Mayhem Festival support dates with Rob Zombie including this years Sturgis Bike Rally and Montreal Canada's premier Metal festival Heavy MTL 2013, Dave McClain added his thoughts on sharing the stage with Zombie, "Our summer just got even better! Pretty excited to be doing a few Rob Zombie shows after Mayhem and also Heavy MTL in Montreal!"

HEADLINE DATES: (Tix on sale this Friday)

JUNE 24 - Spokane WA. Knitting Factory [Spokane]
http://sp.knittingfactory.com/event/?id=3531354

JUNE 26 - Portland OR. - Hawthorne Theatre
http://event.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSale.do?performance_id=1717541&cobrand=cascadetickets&method=restoreToken

JUNE 28 - Fresno, CA - Fulton 55
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3536754

ROB ZOMBIE / HEAVY MTL DATES: (Tix on sale now)

AUG 5 - Bonner Springs, KS - Sandstone Amphitheater
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06004A8499AA4B5D?artistid=776549&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1&tm_link=artist_msg-0_06004A8499AA4B5D

AUG 7 - Sturgis. SD - Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Buffalo Chip

AUG 9 - Columbus. OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/05004A6E9B628683?brand=promowest&camefrom=CFC_LCP_pwlive

AUG ? - Montreal, CAN - Heavy MTL
http://heavymtl.com/en/tickets/

As previously reported, MACHINE HEAD has begun jamming some NEW music, and the recording sessions are going very smoothly according to Robb Flynn. Here is what he recently posted on The General Journals (sign up HERE):

"We've been really productive writing-wise. As of last night we have 4 songs pretty much done musically, another 5 jams / half songs. The song we finished last night felt like it could be something really special. Phil has been on a riff roll, bringing some really unique sounding riffage and Dave McClain (our secret weapon) has brought some damn cool riffs to the table as well."

Don't forget that MACHINE HEAD are holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. HERE are all the details you need!

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site 
The General Journals

MACHINE HEAD Celebrate 10 Years Of Phil Demmel Shredding - Statements Available!

MACHINE HEAD are celebrating 10 years, which are technically 11 years, of Phil Demmel shredding with the Bay Area Metallers. Demmel is not only a key asset of MH, but he is also one of the best dudes in Metal. His guitar skills pretty much gave rebirth to the band and inspired Robb Flynn to improve his guitar skills. Here is what the band had to say about Demmel's legacy with the band:

"Seems like yesterday that Phil rolled his amp into our practice room and first jammed with us.

"I remember thinking when the jam session was over, that it felt like a perfect fit. At first, it was just going to be a temporary gig for some European festivals that we were doing. A last hurrah for Phil before he retired from music. Lucky for us (and hopefully him) he didn't retire and wanted to be in MACHINE HEAD on a permanent basis. We welcomed him into our Island of Misfit Toys with open arms!

"Ten years later, we've been through great times, trying times and down right horrible times. I would not trade any of them for anything and I'm proud to have experienced them with our Phil!

"Love you, duder, and here's to another ten years!" - Dave McClain:
"Phil... Phillip (my Mom calls me Phillip, you can call me Phil), (my fave) Phillatio... Philthy... Philodendron... LandPhil... Drunky McDrunkerson... Sloppy McSlopperson... and last but not least... The Lemon.

"10 years...

"10 YEARS...

"10 FREAKIN' YEARS IN MACHNE HEAD!!!???

"MAN, has it flown by.

"Crazy...

"Technically, it's almost 11 years as Phil began jamming with MACHINE HEAD back in June 2002, a month after Ahrue (who?) quit. We were getting ready to do a festival run that summer to close out the 'Supercharger' tour. On the itinerary was headlining Germany's With Full Force festival for the first time, so we were playing some really cool festivals and we needed a guitarist.

"I probably wasn't quite ready mentally at the time, so while I enjoyed those first practices with Phil; it wasn't until the first show on July 1st, 2002 at The Ambassador in Dublin, Ireland that it became apparent to me. That's all it took to completely erase the memory of our old guitarist for me. Just looking stage right to see Phil rocking out and in my head saying, 'Hey, I remember THAT guy.' It was a great feeling. Right then and there I knew we had our guy.

"Phil has been in MACHINE HEAD for 10 years officially today, but I've known Phil Demmel for *cough* 26 years! Though it's hard to remember, I met Phil somewhere back in 1986, when I was 18 years old. He was in VIO-LENCE and I was in FORBIDDEN EVIL, we practiced in a Fremont, California warehouse district behind a studio / jam room called Fast 'N Furious owned by Pat Sauger and the ANNIHILATION guys. VIO-LENCE was moving in to rehearse at F 'N F and Phil and couple of the other guys came by to watch a FORBIDDEN EVIL practice. I remember liking him, he was very friendly, always smiling, and had a cool car (LOL)! I started going over to VIO-LENCE practices and watched in awe as they produced some of the most ferocious riffs and songs I'd heard. Thrash Metal bordering on Punk Rock. I LOVED it!

"Little did I realize, but the Vio-Dudes had their eyes on me to replace their then-guitarist, Troy Fua. And while Phil will insist to this day that he 'stole me away,' I happily left FORBIDDEN EVIL, eager to play in such a ferocious group, and in January 1987 I played my first show with VIO-LENCE.

"We made a heck of guitar team back then and that was something we worked at. But there was always a natural chemistry that didn't take much effort; we complemented each other's style. We started writing instantly and the riffs flowed easily. Back then in many ways we were the odd couple; Phil was, and remains, more outgoing. He could talk to most people about anything, all the chicks loved him! I was always more introverted and would lose myself in my guitar. But we weren't so odd when it came to hanging out as we partied like HELL, we RAGED, and being around him really brought me out of my shell. I looked up to him in a lot of ways. He came from a stable family that was very supportive of him in whatever he did. I didn't have any of that. It was great to see and to just be around as those things made me a better kid and later a better man.

"10 years, plus 5 years before that, plus a 10 year break-up in the middle somewhere, but we're still together singing 'Careless Whisper' whenever we get hammered!

"We've lived A LOT of life together. We've experienced more crummy two-month van tours than I care to remember, the two of us driving all night on only a few hours sleep only to end up as bed-mates in a crappy Motel 6's double bed next to Debbie Abono's bed. Entire tours eating one meal a day at Denny's, and then hoping the club would feed us, all while loading our own gear in and out of vans, then when life got good, out of trailers!

"There was no road crew back then except for Joe (our manager back then, riding in the van with us, who is still with us now!). There were fights, hilarious three-hour drunken wrestling matches, hotel rooms destroyed, more arguments than I can even remember, a lot of tears cried, and so many more good times and full-on, side-splitting belly laughs I could write a book about it. We've played A LOT of shitty clubs to 50 people, and we've stomped a mudhole in the ass of 30,000+ people countless fucking times.

"As I'm writing this, it dawned on me, we've written six albums' worth of material together, and are about to write a seventh... wow... some pretty goddamn good metal I'll tell you that.

"I'm grateful you are in MACHINE HEAD. We are lucky to have a band member like you. You're a great guitarist, a great songwriter, a great team mate, and above all a great friend.

"I love you, dude.

"Here's to 10, 15, 25 more!" - Robb Flynn

In other MACHINE HEAD news, the band is currently busy writing music for the follow-up to 2011's 'Unto The Locust'. A late 2013 release is projected. Here is an update from Robb Flynn.

Recently, MACHINE HEAD announced that their bassist Adam Duce is no longer part of the Bay Area Thrash Metallers. Robb Flynn and the boys are currently holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. They are still holding auditions! More info HERE!


Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX



Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

MACHINE HEAD: Update On Bass Player Search

Recently, MACHINE HEAD announced that their bassist Adam Duce is no longer part of the Bay Area Thrash Metallers. Robb Flynn and the boys are currently holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Here is an update from the band regarding their search for their NEW bassist:

"Machine Head would like to thank all of the people who have submitted YouTube clips so far, we want you all to know that we’ve watched all of your videos, and while there may not have been an initial confirmation/reply that your video was received, we have been going through each of the many submissions one-by-one. We will continue taking submissions until next Friday, April 19th, at which point we will stop accepting submissions, select candidates and begin tryouts.

"If you want to submit your clips but have not yet done so, make sure you do before next Friday. Videos can be set to private with the only allowed viewer set to the audition e-mail address (MHBassAuditions@gmail.com), should you choose.

"Remember, you are being asked to play bass AND sing. Anyone who is not also singing in their clips will unfortunately have to be overlooked, so if you’re going through the instrumental effort, give the singing a shot!

"Thanks to everyone for all of the submissions so far, your time and effort is sincerely appreciated."

    - Machine Head 


The band is currently busy writing music for the follow-up to 2011's 'Unto The Locust'. A late 2013 release is projected. Here is an update from Robb Flynn.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

Former FEAR FACTORY Bassist Tries Out For MACHINE HEAD - Video Available!

Recently, MACHINE HEAD announced that their bassist Adam Duce is no longer part of the Bay Area Thrash Metallers. Robb Flynn and the boys are currently holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Here are all the details about their audition!

Former FEAR FACTORY bassist Christian Olde Wolbers has auditioned for the band, and definitely possesses the chops required as you can see on this video: 



The band is currently busy writing music for the follow-up to 2011's 'Unto The Locust'. A late 2013 release is projected. Here is an update from Robb Flynn.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

MACHINE HEAD: Robb Flynn Releases Update On Album # 7!

As previously reported, MACHINE HEAD has begun jamming some NEW music, and the recording sessions are going very smoothly according to Robb Flynn. Here is what he recently posted on The General Journals (sign up HERE):

"We've been really productive writing-wise. As of last night we have 4 songs pretty much done musically, another 5 jams / half songs. The song we finished last night felt like it could be something really special. Phil has been on a riff roll, bringing some really unique sounding riffage and Dave McClain (our secret weapon) has brought some damn cool riffs to the table as well."

Don't forget that MACHINE HEAD are holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. HERE are all the details you need!

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site 
The General Journals 

MACHINE HEAD Are Auditioning For Bass Players - Details Available!

Recently, MACHINE HEAD shocked the Heavy Music world when they announced that their bassist Adam Duce is no longer part of the Bay Area Thrash Metallers. The band also announced that they have begun the writing process for their follow-up to 2011's 'Unto The Locust'. A late 2013 release is projected.

Robb Flynn and the boys will begin holding auditions for a fill in bassist as they partake at these years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. MACHINE HEAD will accept and review YouTube submissions that include the following:

1) Video: A standalone performance of the songs listed below, just you, singing and playing bass along to the the tracks off the albums. **Camera phone is fine as long as it's stable**

2) A brief 1- to-2-minute statement about your musical experience; playing, touring experience, etc.

Please upload your videos to YouTube and e-mail a link (or links) to MHBassAuditions@gmail.com that includes the following songs:

1) This Is The End
2) Halo
3) Beautiful Mourning

Once the band has narrowed down potential candidates, they will hold tryouts in person at a to-be-determined location. 

But why did Adam Duce leave the band? HERE is an extensive explanation offered by Robb Flynn in which he claims that it became impossible to work with Duce.

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour dates for 2013 are as follows:
 
- 06/29/13: San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA
- 06/30/13: Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
- 07/02/13: Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID
- 07/03/13: White River Amphitheater in Auburn, WA
- 07/05/13: Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, AZ
- 07/06/13: Isleta Amphitheater in Albuquerque, NM
- 07/07/13: Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Englewood, CO
- 07/10/13: Molson Canadian Amphitheater in Toronto, ON– CANADA
- 07/12/13: First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA
- 07/13/13: Susquehana Bank Center in Camden, NJ
- 07/14/13: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Center, NY
- 07/16/13: Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA
- 07/17/13: Bangor Waterfront in Bangor, ME
- 07/19/13: Toyota Pavilion in Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA
- 07/20/13: Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY
- 07/21/13: The Comcast Theatre in Hartford, CT
- 07/23/13: PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
- 07/24/13: Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, VA
- 07/26/13: Klipsch Music Center in Noblesville, IN
- 07/27/13: First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL
- 07/28/13: DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkson, MI
- 07/30/13: Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA
- 07/31/13: 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheater in Tampa, FL
- 08/02/13: Tower Amphitheater in Austin, TX
- 08/03/13: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, TX
- 08/04/13: Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas, TX

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

MACHINE HEAD: Adam Duce Has Left The Building - Official Statement Available!

Wow! Talk about a crazy week. Earlier this week, Dave Lombardo pretty much gets fired from SLAYER... and now this:

"Machine Head and bassist Adam Duce have parted ways. The split is amicable, and Machine Head would like to wish Adam the best with his current and future endeavors. The band will continue on for the time being as a three-piece and have begun the writing process for their follow-up to 2011's 'Unto The Locust'. A late 2013 release is projected."

Duce was a founding member of the band and a pretty decent bass player. Whoever MACHINE HEAD chooses to replace him, has huge shoes to fill.

This is what Robb Flynn had to say about the bands NEW sonic assult: "Dave [McClain, drums], Phil [Demmel, guitar] and I practiced the other day and it was a really productive first jam session. McClain had about five rockin' riffs, Demmel brought in the skeleton of what feels like a great song and I had a few riffs that we rocked on, no full songs, but solid riffs. It felt good, good to be moving on from [2011's 'Unto The Locust']. Super proud of that record, but it's time to move on, and we're ready to move on. Bring on the future with an open embrace."

Related links:
MACHINE HEAD's Official Site

Is Your Music On iTunes? Find Out The Value Behind Having Your Music On Digital Music Platforms!

MACHINE HEAD's Robb Flynn recently stated how he doesn't purchase "physical music" anymore thanks to digital streaming. He also stated that he probably wont ever purchase "physical music" again. With him being a musician and a key player in Heavy Music, his comments caused a massive stir up from the purists out there who still believe that the music industry can return to what it used to be.  Here is Flynn's reaction to all the stir up, followed by some key recent data regarding iTunes (the #1 provider of non "physical music").

"Look, I'm in a band, I've lived on a bus/van/plane for well over 25 years of my life now. I live out of a suitcase, that resides on a tour bus, with 10 people (imagine a studio apartment on wheels, with 9 roommates) for 10 months out of a year at times. My life needs to be efficient, it needs to be compact, it needs to be portable. Sure, I used to carry a big-ass CD wallet everywhere with beer-soaked, scratched up CD's and it was a pain, so yeah, the Spotify / iTunes world fits me perfect.

"But, I also realize this isn't most people's life.

"Most people don't need the portability I do. Lot's of people said they love iTunes and streaming. Lot's of people said they would like a CD, and of course, for the time being we will continue to sell CD's. That's never been a question, as long as there are stores to stock CD's, we will sell CD's. And with Bandcamp.com and HDfiles.com offering CD quality and higher files, that's a cool thing the future is bringing to files. But also, as I'm sure as most of you know, stores to purchase CD's are getting harder and harder to find. HMV (the last UK based CD chain) just closed shop, FNAC and Virgin France just closed. Here in the US Best Buy has cut CD rack space down from 24 racks to 4 racks!

"I have a ritual I've done for every release since Burn My Eyes in 1994, where first day I go in and buy our album. Call it good luck or whatever, I love my rituals. But believe you me, I was stunned, STUNNED, when I went into Ameoba Records in Hollywood (I was in LA on the Jason Ellis show day of release) and saw our regular album NOT on sale, but full price for $16.99. I spent $40 bucks buying the 2 editions. It was wrong, it's supposed to be on sale the first week / first month. You reward the die-hards, reward the Head Cases for going out there and supporting you first day/week/month. It's a thank you. We were pissed and fans weren't stoked. Shit like this has to change, it has to, and we as a band (with your help) have to figure out a way around it."

The impact of iTunes:

Recently, Apple® announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 25 billion songs from the iTunes Store® (www.itunes.com), the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store. The 25 billionth song, “Monkey Drums” (Goksel Vancin Remix) by Chase Buch, was purchased by Phillip Lüpke from Germany. As the downloader of the 25 billionth song, Phillip will received a €10,000 iTunes® Gift Card.
“We are grateful to our users whose passion for music over the past 10 years has made iTunes the number one music retailer in the world,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Averaging over 15,000 songs downloaded per minute, the iTunes Store connects music fans with their favorite artists, including global sensations like Adele and Coldplay and new artists like The Lumineers, on a scale we never imagined possible.”

“In a lot of ways, iTunes has leveled the playing field for musicians. Whether you’re unsigned, indie, major, whatever—it’s the place most people go to buy digital music,” said Wesley Schultz, guitarist and lead vocalist of The Lumineers. “iTunes doesn’t exclude any musicians simply because they’re not yet established or popular.”

The iTunes Store is the world’s most popular music store with a catalog of over 26 million songs and over 25 billion songs downloaded, and is available in 119 countries. The iTunes Store is the best way for iPhone®, iPad®, iPod®, Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. All music on the iTunes Store comes in iTunes Plus®, Apple’s DRM-free format with high-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding for audio virtually indistinguishable from the original recordings. iTunes in the Cloud lets you download your previously purchased iTunes music to your devices at no additional cost, and new music purchases can be downloaded automatically to your iOS devices.

In our humble opinion, "physical music" still has a certain value to the music industry as a whole. However, with music stores closing their doors thanks to the digital era we are all part of, it is essential for musicians from all walks of life to upload their music to iTunes and other digital media sources. If you are reading this and you are a musician, make sure your music is on iTunes before uploading the content unto any other site. iTunes is the NEW Tower Records, the NEW Virgin Records, and will continue to be for many years to come.
 
Let us know what you think about this at the comments section below.

Related links:
Machine Head 
http://www.apple.com