A look at 10 amazing music videos from rock bands and groups from decades ago to more recently. I love it when bands try to make something special for their music and these are 10 examples through different generations that stand out.
Click below to watch and scroll below the video to find a link to each music video discussed.
Puscifer, the Arizona-born, “exceptionally groovy” (Entertainment Weekly) band that Revolver dubbed “Maynard James Keenan’s… indescribable musical/performance-art collective,” release the eerily topical “Apocalyptical” single and video.
A message from Keenan arrives alongside the track:
“Manipulated information disseminated by kings, queens, dictators, so called leaders, supposed professionals or outliers and conspiracy theorists living underground, or in basements, is not new or unique to this generation. Misdirection is Power Struggles’ conjoined twin but the speed at which it now travels in this digital age is dangerous and destructive on many levels. This rapid distribution of poison and its immediate impact will be the hallmark of our generation. Even In light of all this, and all the noise the digital landscape generates, all I keep asking myself is ‘what is it with the whole hoarding toilet paper thing?’”
The ”Apocalyptical” release follows social media breadcrumbs hinting at imminent moves amongst the Puscifer camp. As had been speculated, and can now be confirmed, the band’s fourth full-length studio album will arrive this Fall via Alchemy Recordings, a partnership with BMG. Alchemy Recordings is a new record label created in partnership between Dino Paredes, former American Recordings Vice President of A&R, and Danny Wimmer, the founder of Danny Wimmer Presents, the premier production company for rock music festivals in the United States.
Vocalist Carina Round sheds light on the darkly prophetic timing of the song: “’Apocalyptical’ was one of the very first musical ideas for the new record that we put our voices on out in Arizona in late 2019. It was simultaneously very fresh and also felt like we had never been apart.”
“For the initial writing process of ‘Apocalyptical,” we relied heavily on a Fairlight IIx (an early musical computer using 8 bit samples), and a Synclavier II (another early digital workstation that relied on FM synthesis),” explains guitar player and co-producer Mat Mitchell of the behind-the-scenes creation of the song. “These were heavyweights in early digital music productions and defined a generation of music. We decided to set modern computers aside by working within the limitations of these early computer technologies. This created a unique space for us to explore and the results can be heard throughout this track.”
Puscifer has released three full-length studio albums: “V” is for Vagina (2007), Conditions of My Parole (2011) and Money Shot (2015). Maynard James Keenan initially used the moniker in a 1995 episode of “Mr. Show,” bringing the band to life in 2007. Keenan’s companions in the electro-rock outfit have been Mat Mitchell (guitar/production) and Carina Round (vocals/songwriting). The band brings a unique mix of recorded output and on-stage theatrics, pairing each release with a conceptual live show, from a “Hee Haw”-infused performance featuring recurring Puscifer characters Billy Dee and Hildy to 2017’s luchadores-themed outing.
“Offenses, victimization, and exploitation. That happens every day and is mainly justified under the name of economic necessity, politics, religion, culture, sex, and race,” Within Temptation states. Their new single “Entertain You” is out today, May 8, and revolves around the urge for self-gratification at the expense of others.
“We often cannot and do not want to see the consequences of our urge to satisfy our personal needs,” says singer Sharon den Adel. “To justify or simply avoid the misery we inflict on others, we simply look the other way or start pointing fingers. We should look into the mirror more often and start questioning our own beliefs. We should try to understand not only ourselves, but also — and most importantly — others and the world around us. It’s not the easiest way, but it’s certainly one that brings us further in this individualistic society.”
Within Temptation will embark on a huge arena tour with Evanescence in September 2020. The Worlds Collide Tour, for which an impressive 150,000 tickets were sold across eight countries, will bring both bands to venues such as the O2 Arena in London, AccorHotels Arena in Paris, Velodrom in Berlin, and Palais 12 in Brussels. All dates are below.
NEW TOUR DATES:
9/2 — Glasgow, UK —The SSE Hydro Arena 9/3 — Leeds, UK — First Direct Arena 9/5 — Birmingham, UK — Arena Birmingham 9/6 — London, UK — The O2 9/8 — Amsterdam, NL — Ziggo Dome 9/9 — Amsterdam, NL — Ziggo Dome 9/11 — Brussels, BE — Palais 12 9/12 — Brussels, BE — Palais 12 9/14 — Paris, FR — AccorHotels Arena 9/17 — Hamburg, DE — Barclaycard Arena 9/18 — Leipzig, DE — Leipzig Arena 9/20 — Gliwice, PL— Arena Gliwice 9/21 — Berlin, DE — Velodrom 9/22 — Munich, DE — Zenith 9/24 — Düsseldorf, DE — Mitsubishi Electric Hall 9/25 — Esch-Sur-Alzette — LU Rockhal 9/27 — Zurich, Switzerland — Hallenstadion 9/29 — Milan, IT Mediolanum— Forum Milan
Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown have revealed the video for “Ride,” which finds the band knuckling down (and dirty) on their instruments while in the back of a conversion van and plugging into amps stashed in the trunks of their cars.
“Sometimes it’s too easy to miss magic moments while you’re worrying about the future,” says Bryant. “To me, ‘Ride’ is a reminder to find the good in the present while you’re in it. I don’t wanna look back and wish I would’ve lived life any different. I wanna milk all these moments for all they’re worth. Whatever comes next can’t affect right now.”
The track appears on the band’s latest album Truth & Lies —out now via Snakefarm Records.
Additionally, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown will be going live on American Songwriter’s Facebook page on May 29 at 3PM ET for the “Behind the Mic” series, where they’ll be playing songs and answering fan questions.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper will release a new single “Don’t Give Up” on May 15 (through earMUSIC), inspired by the challenges everyone has been facing due to the pandemic. The song had been started in Detroit, and was completed using remote participation, produced by Bob Ezrin.
Alice has invited his fans, with an announcement on all of his web and social media sites, to participate in the video, which Cooper and band members are filming separately during quarantine. He is asking fans to submit photos of themselves holding up signs with one word from the lyrics to the song for possible inclusion in the video.
Said Alice, “This is a way for fans, regular folks who might be at home with free time and no place to go, to do something fun and positive that they’ll remember from this quarantine time instead of just remembering being cooped up.”
Fans can preview the lyrics and submit their photo at www.AliceCooper.com or via any of his social media sites.
Alain Johannes, co-creator of the highly influential ‘90s alternative rock band Eleven as well as a key contributor on releases from Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures and Chris Cornell, releases Hum, his third solo album, on July 31 via Ipecac Recordings.
“It’s more about me than probably any album I’ve ever done,” says Johannes about the collection that follows a period of tragic loss, extreme illness and rebirth. “It was something I was striving for and needed to communicate. Coming out of a difficult period, I was liberated. I had lost people who were very close to me. I went through struggles with my own health. There’s a personal energy behind the way it was recorded and the feel of the songs. It’s a document of my life right now.”
Johannes is seen playing the album’s title track in a video released this morning. The clip, which showcases Johannes performing the song in the woods near his Los Angeles home, was shot by Frank McDonough and edited by Felo Foncea.
“You can think of the album title, Hum, a few ways,” adds Johannes. “Of course, there’s a musical hum. There’s an electrical hum. To me, it suggests a sense of mystery. When you stop and listen to silence in nature, the hum is underneath the threshold of hearing. It’s a mysterious and magical sense of something existing, beautiful, and alive. It’s a blanket word for the sound of the ether—something that’s always been there, always will be there, and everything comes from it. It’s the common connection to everything.” Album pre-orders, which include an instant download of “Hum,” are available now: https://lnkfi.re/AJHum.
Today THE HU releases “Song of Women” featuring Lzzy Hale of Halestorm and kicks off the pre-order for the album on which it can be found – the Deluxe edition of the band’s critically acclaimed album, THE GEREG.
THE GEREG Deluxe edition is out on July 10, 2020 and will be available in CD, double vinyl and Digital formats. This version includes 3 of their tracks, re-made with special featured artists.
“THE HU is the real deal. Don’t sleep on this!” – Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach)
“Yuve Yuve Yu” featuring Danny Case of From Ashes To New was the band’s first-ever radio single. The song peaked at #4 on the rock radio charts and established the band at the format. The band’s current single “Wolf Totem” featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach is well on its way to the top of the charts. The third track exclusive to the Deluxe edition is the brand new “Song of Women” featuring Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. There will also be 3 acoustic tracks on the new release.
The video for “Song of Women” features Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. Lzzy’s performance with the band was filmed prior to the coronavirus quarantine. “I’m so thankful to THE HU for welcoming me, my words and my melody into this song,” says Hale. “I can count on less than one hand the number of times where a project has changed the course of my spirit and renewed my faith in humanity. This was one of those projects. I’m still levitating.” May is a month filled with events honoring women – Mother’s Day on 5/10 and Women’s Health Week from 5/12- 5/18, so the band felt it important to release the song in May.
“I’m crazy about a Mongolian band called THE HU. They are just the greatest thing I’ve heard in a long time. My band of the year!” – Elton John (Beats 1 Rocket Hour)
The band is involved in the film THE RETALIATORS, a high-octane horror-thriller, starring Michael Lombardi (FX’s Rescue Me), Marc Menchaca (Ozark, The Outsider) and Joseph Gatt (Dumbo) with special guest appearances by some of rock music’s biggest names. THE HU band members play a small part in the movie and contributed “Wolf Totem” featuring Jacoby Shaddix of PAPA ROACH to the soundtrack.
THE HU has been making waves across the globe with sold-out shows and festival appearances presenting their signature brand of “hunnu rock” –a one-of-a-kind mixture of Western rock music combined with traditional Mongolian instrumentation and throat-singing in their native language.
The band has achieved wide critical acclaim and appeared on many 2019 year-end best-of lists. Loudwire listed THE GEREG among its Top Albums of 2019 and Revolver Magazine listed the band’s video “Great Chinggis Khaan” among the year’s Top 10. In the UK, THE GEREG placed among Top Albums of 2019 in Classic Rock and Metal Hammer magazines.
Michigan’s own, POP EVIL, have released two new singles “Let The Chaos Reign” and “Work”, marking the first taste of new music from the band since their Pop Evil full-length in 2018. The new tracks arrive as a twin assault of invigorating readymade hits for 2020, from a forthcoming album filled to the brim with a dozen tracks each worthy of a dedicated spotlight. “Let the Chaos Reign” is the heaviest single the band has ever dropped, a rousing fight song of self-determination and rising to meet any challenge with courage and strength. By contrast, “Work” puts its heavy guitars atop grooving rhythmic punch, as it champions the working-class heroes struggling to persevere across all industries today.
Speaking on the new singles and upcoming album, frontman and band founder Leigh Kakaty stated:
“We won’t bore people with the same song over and over. When you come to our live show, we feel like there should be an ebb and flow, peaks and valleys, that are similar to real life. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. We like to take people on a journey when they listen to our music or come to see us live.”
POP EVIL has been a staple at major festivals and in theaters and clubs for over a decade, despite the group’s relative youth. As they’ve ruled the roost with No. 1 Billboard Rock singles like “Trenches”, “Deal with the Devil”, “Torn to Pieces”, “Footsteps”, and “Waking Lions”, they’ve taken their inspired message to the people, on tours with modern rock titans and veteran acts alike. The band bunkered down in Los Angeles in the winter of 2019 to put the finishing touches on the yet to be titled new album due out later this year via Entertainment One (eOne). The band also enlisted new creative teams of producers and collaborators to emphasize the uniquely varied aspects of the band’s sound. As “Let The Chaos Reign” and “Work” might suggest, the contrast and fearless genre-defying cross-cultural pollination have never been stronger than on album number six. The preproduction process yielded close to 30 songs, whittled down to the most potent 12 that represent everything POP EVIL is about. This new effort will be the highly anticipated follow up to their self-titled album that came out two years ago to high critical praise with outlets like Loudwire saying, “their self-titled effort continues that delivers a solid top-to-bottom listen.” Collectively, the band’s previous five albums account for over 600 million worldwide streams.
Earlier this month, POP EVIL also shared the news that their North American The Versatile Tour is postponed with details to follow regarding new dates.
The Podcast That Rocked episode for April 29th, 2020 featuring Geaux Gretchen. Discussion on: potential new music from Linkin Park, Guns N’ Roses, Slipknot; Shinedown & Five Finger Death Punch both supporting COVID-19 relief, 20 Years of Papa Roach’s Infest, Top 3 Of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart, and more. Click below for discussion topics and links.
New Linkin Park & New Guns N’ Roses?
The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: -Linkin Park are writing new music? -Guns N’ Roses are recording new music? -Slipknot are writing new music and working on ideas while in isolation -Butcher Babies say they have to wait for COVID-19 to stop in order to produce their new album -Shinedown & Five Finger Death Punch both donate huge proceeds to COVID-19 relief -Papa Roach’s Infest was released 20 years ago -Top 3 of Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart
Los Angeles born superstar guitarist, Nita Strauss, one of the most sought after and respected musicians in the world, has launched Rock Guitar Fundamentals – a 3 module online guitar teaching program suitable for learners of all levels. The course is available at www.iwanttoplayguitar.com and for a limited time, Nita is offering fans a 50% discount. No code required.
Rock Guitar Fundamentals is an online teaching program developed by Nita with a simple goal – getting guitars in as many people’s hands as possible and helping to improve their playing. Nita developed a 3 module system where aspiring learners can jump in wherever their skill level is, from picking up the guitar for the very first time to advanced players who want to brush up on music theory or learn some shred tips and tricks.
Module One is designed for the brand new player and goes over the anatomy of the guitar and all the basics like how to hold the pick correctly, fret the notes, tuning and more.
Module Two is highly focused on technique and theory, approached from a rock player’s perspective to be very easily understandable for the modern musician.
Module Three is where you start to find the bells and whistles of sweep picking, legato, whammy bar tricks, and more.
Nita says of the course,
“I see so many people online saying they want to play guitar, but have no idea where to start. And many more experienced players that get frustrated by technique and theory! So I wanted to create a step by step course that explains everything clearly from a rock guitar player’s perspective. If you’ve never picked up a guitar before and you start this course from the beginning, as long as you’re willing to put in the time you’ll end up with a great knowledge base to play solos, write songs, and play on stage with a band!”
Earlier this year, during NAMM, Nita launched 3 new signature products:
Two new versions of her Ibanez signature JIVA guitar, the more affordable JIVA Jr in fan favorite “Deep Sea Blonde” finish, and the high end, Japanese made JIVA X, a sleek transparent black quilted maple.
D’Addario & Co released a special tool kit designed by Nita and named the“Hurricane Kit” – a gigging guitarist’s emergency kit with every tool you might need at a moment’s notice.
Nita has also been busy writing and recording for the follow up to her enormously successful debut album, ‘Controlled Chaos’ which came out on Sumerian Records in November of 2018. Watch this space for more news on that in the coming months.
