I knew this was gonna suck even before the nominations were announced. I knew it because I knew that they wouldn’t bother to have albums of quality – ya know, Merriweather Post Pavilion or Us or Wilco (the Album) or Cuban Linx II. No, they decide that the following are the supposed best of last year: TAYLOR SWIFT, FEARLESS Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D. Beyoncé, I Am…Sasha Fierce Lady GaGa, The Fame Dave Matthews Band,…
Tom Meighan, for those of you who may not know, is the explicit and unreserved frontman of UK alternative/ indie rock outfit Kasabian – a band that, for those of us who know well, like to say a thing or two about the state of our society. Meighan’s latest diatribe has come in the form of an attack on the most powerful outspoken voice of the modern world – the internet. According to the singer,…
There was an entire soap opera revolving around the Stone Temple Pilots a few years back. They reformed, only to split up again a few months and a number of muddy statements later. Evidently, I become terribly surprise at the end of last year when I received a press release in which Scott Weiland announced the band was not only back together, but also planning a new record and huge tour to boost. I didn’t…
Last month I tried to decrypt the meaning of the whole iamamiwhoami viral campaign that’s been circulating all over youtube since the beginning of the year. With not luck, of course, because you either have to be suffering from OCD of the highest level or you need to have way too much time on your hand. Judging from my desk and low posting rates on ZME, I don’t seem to cross with any of the…
Since singer Skye Edwards left Morcheeba back in 2003, the trip-top pioneering vibe that the group spread across their catalog seemed to have faded as new material followed. The charismatic vocalist was truly a driving force that perfectly synched with the Godfrey brothers’ talented arrangements. Frankly, I can’t imagine Morcheeba without Skye. Today, however, as if prayers have been answered, Skye Edwards announced via her myspace that she has rejoined the Godfrey brothers and will…
Last year’s UK Christmas number one single was surprisingly topped by Rage Against The Machine’s 1992 anthem against oppression “Killing in the Name”, as a result of the valiant effort put down by the UK populace to break the X-Factor streak of countless insipid years. Naturally, the band totally appreciated this and have decided to book a gig at London’s Finsbury Park where RATM is set to perform live absolutely free of charge. All that…
Ah, yes: the reason above all others why I hate the Grammys. The category is nothing above contemptible to metal fans. The set of nominees any given year follows no pattern and it seems that, compared to any other award, the Academy understands what constitutes metal the least. JUDAS PRIEST, “DISSIDENT AGGRESSOR” Lamb of God, “Set to Fail” Megadeth, “Head Crusher” Ministry, “Señor Peligro” Slayer, “Hate Worldwide” Judas Priest haven’t been worthwhile since the Reagan…
I’ve given Nickelback a lot of shit for its continued existence since I started writing for ZME last year. That said, I’m not sure that I can top a Facebook group called “Can this pickle get more fans than Nickleback?” Yes, the band’s name is mispelled, as the author of the group admits: I am fully aware that I misspelled Nickelback as “Nickleback” in the name of the page. This is because Facebook doesn’t allow…
Much like the metal category, hard rock is something that the NARAS doesn’t understand to any degree. Yes, it can sometimes -* sometimes* – pick the ‘right’ bands but its choices for songs is bizarre. AC/DC, “WAR MACHINE” Alice in Chains, “Check My Brain” Linkin Park, “What I’ve Done” Metallica, “The Unforgiven III” Nickelback, “Burn it to the Ground” OK, first off: Nickelback?! Not only is that a terrible choice for a band nominee, it’s…
Every year I look at the nominations and winners, and I have the same thought, “It can’t get worse than last year.” Yet somehow it always does. The 2010 Grammys didn’t let me down – which is to say, they did. Instead of going item by item in an effort to prove, as I stated last August, that the NARAS doesn’t know shit about music, I will just dissect the few categories I find to…
Steve Lampiris
Conor O' Brien
Tibi Puiu