The Mini Band come from the United Kingdom, and they’re about 8 to 10 years old. Not sure what else to say but, these little f***ers rock!
Archive for Metallica
End of The World, Part 2
Posted in News with tags Dixie Hummingbirds, Fishbone, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Terry Allen, The Carpenters, the Louvin Brothers, Tom Waits, Zager & Evans on May 18, 2011 by 30daysout
Everybody’s having a good laugh about the prediction that Saturday will be the End of the World. And yes, we’ve snickered about it right here. But look around – there’ve been tornadoes, tsunamis, wildfires and floods, maybe that’s a sign of the End Times.
All of our heroes – Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Arnold Schwarzenegger – are crumbling before our very eyes. Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga are on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend – another sign?
You can’t ignore these signs. You definitely cannot laugh them away. I’m getting a case of beer on Saturday morning, just in case, and hoping I don’t have a hangover the morning after.
More signs of the coming apocalypse
MP3: “Earth Died Screaming” by Tom Waits
MP3: “In The Year 2525” by Zager & Evans
MP3: “Southern Comfort” by Terry Allen
MP3: “Jesus Is Coming Soon” by the Dixie Hummingbirds
MP3: “Are You Afraid To Die” by the Louvin Brothers
MP3: “The End of The World” by the Carpenters
MP3: “Soylent Green” by Carbon Silicon
MP3: “Until The End of the World” (live) by U2
MP3: “My Apocalypse” by Metallica
Guitar Hero: The Future Of Music?
Posted in Uncategorized with tags Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero Metallica, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Metallica, Queen, Stubb's BBQ, SXSW, System of a Down, Thin Lizzy on March 29, 2009 by 30daysout
Metallica playing Stubb's BBQ at SXSW
Today, the big video game Guitar Hero: Metallica comes out at a store near you. The game has a playlist of about 49 songs – 28 of them from heavy metal gods Metallica and the rest from artists like Queen, Bob Seger, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Motorhead, and System of a Down.
The game is expected to sell in the millions – something that new albums don’t do any more. Even Metallica’s own Death Magnetic, while considered a big hit, has sold just a little more than 1.3 million worldwide since its release last fall. Back in the day, Michael Jackson used to sell that many in a week.
Old-timers like me should welcome the existence of something like Guitar Hero. It’s one way to get 
the music out: at Austin’s SXSW music festival/conference last week, Metallica lead singer James Hetfield admitted that drummer Lars Ulrich’s son told him that he likes Mountain’s “Mississippi Queen” best on the game. “And he discovered it on Guitar Hero!” Hetfield said. A few years ago my son asked about “Anarchy In The U.K.” by the Sex Pistols, which the band remade in 2007 for a Guitar Hero game. Would these kids have discovered the music by listening to the radio? Certainly not. Could they have stumbled upon them on their own? Probably not.
While the game is certainly a way for kids to get into new music, some people may argue it’s not real life. To really be a musician, you have to
practice (a real instrument), pay your dues. OK – but it’s like anything else, there’s a point in everyone’s life where you grow up and put down the toys and go outdoors to face life. As Hetfield said in Austin: “Get off the couch!” If Guitar Hero puts more real guitars in kids’ hands, and as a result puts more live music in the world, I’m all for it.
Side note: Next weekend Metallica is going to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As I mentioned above, the hard rockers played a “surprise” free show at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin last weekend during SXSW and it was a hoot. Big names like Metallica, Kanye West and others really isn’t what SXSW is all about – it’s about unsigned and under-the-radar acts getting their music out to larger audiences – but headliners don’t hurt. The conference seems to be evolving into a free-for-all music festival and if it does, that would be great. Because most of it is free – no $250 tickets for standing a mile away in a field (Bonnaroo) or even $75 a day for sweating your ass off and hearing music from a mile away (Austin City Limits festival). We stood about that far away from Metallica – and the sound was perfect. SXSW is turning into a true “people’s festival,” and I wonder when the bottom-line guys are going to figure out how to put a price tag on it.
SXSW Report: One Last Look Back
Posted in SXSW with tags Metallica, Michael Des Barres, orange is in, Other Lives, Steve Jones, Telekinesis on March 23, 2009 by 30daysout
Orange Is In under the trees at Guero's
Like we always do, we sort of just gave out around 7 p.m. on Saturday. And that’s just when SXSW reaches its fever peak. But ah, it was a good time once again. Here’s a notebook of some of our favorite moments and observations from the weekend:
Why Didn’t We Think Of This Then?: Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, doing a promo for Best Buy’s musical instrument section, initially was at a loss for something entertaining to do. We should’a asked them to set up Guitar Hero! How would the ex-Pistol have done with the remake of “Anarchy In The U.K.”? Well, punk rock karaoke with Jones on guitar turned out to be pretty good entertainment.
It's also kind of rude to photograph musicians from behind!
Rude Assholes: Everywhere you go at SXSW there’s a line. There was even a line to wash your hands in the men’s room at Threadgill’s. But there’s a certain behavior that is particularly infuriating – we’re in line to grab a slice of pizza at Home Slice, and after the two chicks ahead of us we’re next. Until … the two chicks greet their friends and after a few hugs the visitors are magically part of the line. So in a span of five seconds, we’ve gone from third in line to ninth. And no matter what you say, they just ignore you. Like you are the asshole.
Best Behavior Award No. 1: My son was chillin’ at Jo’s Coffee Shop Friday night when a stranger approached him. “Can I use your cell phone?” he asked. “I left mine in a cab.” The guy called his own phone and somehow that helped him retrieve it. The next day my son received a text: “Thanks for helping me get back my cell phone.”
Randomly Hilarious Quote No. 1: “Are you sure that’s a dude?”
Other Lives, in the hot sun
Weather Reports: “We’re not used to the heat” from Telekinesis singer/drummer Michael Lerner. “Make sure you use sunscreen,” from Other Lives cellist Jenny Hsu. It was a sunny 76 degrees that day. Come visit Texas in August!
Science Lesson: Sound drops off the farther away you get from its source. For every two feet you move away, the sound becomes only one quarter as loud. If you increase that distance to eight feet, then you will only hear 1/64th as loud. Unless of course you’re Metallica at Stubb’s BBQ, in which case people can hear perfectly a full city block away.
Best Behavior Award No. 2: Like every other band playing in Austin, Orange Is In sold CDs and t-shirts at their gig. But unlike other bands, after the show was over lead singer George Kovacik picked up the unsold CDs and distributed them for free.
Stupid Question No. 1: “Who used to be in the Sex Pistols?”
Stupid Question No. 2: “Are you supposed to be someone famous?”
The Most Amazing Thing I Saw All Weekend: At the poorly publicized Steve Jones Best Buy store appearance, Michael Des Barres inexplicably showed up too. Most people had no idea who he is but some guy nevertheless produced a Detective vinyl LP for Des Barres to autograph.
Most Rockin’ Band We Saw: The Hold Steady, hands down. We also heard many raves about The Mother Hips, too.
MP3: “Run Towards The Warmth Of The Sun” by Orange Is In
MP3: “Coast Of Carolina” by Telekinesis
SXSW Report: Folk and Metal
Posted in SXSW with tags Alejqandro Escovedo, Gary Louris Mark Olson, Metallica, orange is in, SXSW, Telekinesis on March 21, 2009 by 30daysout
Madness, indeed. The weather can’t be more perfect, and the crowds cannot be any larger. Chicks with boots are everywhere, so are hipsters in black skinny jeans and those haircuts found in the special section of the picture book. More than 1,600 bands (acts) are performing this weekend, and any effort you make to take as much of in as you can is eventually pathetic.
Telekinesis
Our highlights so far include this nifty band from Seattle, Telekinesis, which has a sort of Death Cab for Cutie pop sound. They did one song, “Tokyo,” which plants its sharp little hooks in your fleshy parts. We saw them at the great Home Slice Pizza and had a slice, too.
That showcase is just one of the many, many free things you can do at SXSW. In fact these day parties or side parties easily outnumber the so-called “official” events and are much more fun. Our buddy Ken Shane is a fully accredited member of the press, and although he’s weary from catching bands and schlepping all over town, he’s also going to hear speakers as part of the music conference.
Friday is Boss’ Day: Will The Boss show up at SXSW?
Posted in Bruce Springsteen, SXSW with tags Alejandro Escovedo, Bruce Springsteen, Ian McLagan, Joe Ely, Metallica, The Decemberists, Vivian Girls on March 13, 2009 by 30daysout 
This is the SXSW version of our Boss’ Day report, and today we will attempt to create some wildly unsubstantiated rumors with our blatant fabrications. In other (shorter) words, April Fool’s a few weeks early.
So anyway … Bruce Springsteen has never shown up at SXSW, the industry’s biggest music conference, but hey, there is a first time for everything. Little Steven is speaking at this year’s conference, Alejandro Escovedo and The Hold Steady are playing, and the Working On A Dream Tour is set to kick off April 1 … so rumors are flying all around that The Boss is going to make the trek to Central Texas and do something. (Not really. Don’t send angry e-mails, OK?) Some scenarios:
1. He is the “special guest” listed on the flier for the Little Steven’s Underground Garage Friday day party at Antone’s, where he performs a rousing version of “Outlaw Pete” with Joe Ely and Little Steven.
SXSW Report: Austin Crazy Time
Posted in SXSW with tags Alejandro Escovedo, Austin, Carbon Silicon, Gaslight Anthem, Ian McLagan, Magic Christian, Metallica, SXSW, SXSW music, The Decemberists, The Hold Steady, The Stooges on March 11, 2009 by 30daysout
The South by Southwest music conference is a big event every year in Austin that masquerades as an important opportunity for music industry types to get together, discuss their business and get exposed to a few new acts. What it really is – and it shall hereafter be referred to as SXSW – is a huge-ass party with more than a thousand music acts playing nearly continuously for about four days. Big Fun.
Over the years we’ve covered this event for various news media outlets, but we stopped doing that about 10 years ago. Now we just go for the free, unofficial “side” events (also known as day parties) that are way more fun than the official SXSW-sponsored events. Plus they almost always have free beer. If you’re lucky (or get there really early) you might get a cup or two.
The Gaslight Anthem, 2008
So we’re going over to Austin next week. My advice has always been to make a plan, pick a few must-see acts and just “go with the flow.” Last year we parked the car and heard a band playing. Just a few steps, and we’re watching the Gaslight Anthem. Take a look at the crowd in the photo … you wouldn’t see that for this band today.
And that’s really why you go to SXSW, to discover new acts that you really like, and who might sooner or later (or never) become big stars. Oh sure, we had a blast when the Stooges played in 2007 and when Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mick Jones of the Clash returned last year with Carbon Silicon – and this year the big rumor is a possible appearance by Metallica – but that sort of stuff is actually a sideshow.
Review: “Death Magnetic,” Metallica
Posted in Review with tags James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Metallica, Rick Rubin on September 7, 2008 by 30daysout
This Friday, Metallica will rule the earth once again. That’s the release date of their newest album, Death Magnetic, and not only is it the metal album of the year, it’s one of the better rock efforts of the past few months. You don’t have to go very deep into the first song “That Was Just Your Life” to get the Metallica sound that many fans despaired of ever hearing again – Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield’s guitars explode like an atomic bomb.
Far as I can figure, Death Magnetic is tied together with a despairing theme of death, war, violence, whatever. It’s kind of tough to decipher what Hetfield’s singing about at times, although the domestic violence imagery hits hard in “The Day That Never Comes” and “Broken, Beat & Scarred.”
Holy Headbangers! Rattling the Metal Bucket
Posted in News with tags AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Lemmy Kilmister, Mötorhead, Metallica, Ronnie James Dio, Tommy Shaw, Tony Iommi on August 26, 2008 by 30daysoutA big bucket o’ stuff from the metal end of the spectrum today, to help shake loose the remaining aftereffects of our encounter with the Masters of Metal tour last weekend.
Mötorhead hits stores today with a new album, Mötorizer. 
It’s the 24th album for this venerable metal trio, led by bassist/head growler Lemmy Kilmister and aided and abetted by mainstays Phil Campbell (guitar) and Mikkey Dee (drums). Lemmy is 62 years old, but he hasn’t slowed down – if you know anything about Mötorhead, you know their rock is basic, straightforward and in-your-face like a Pittsburgh Steelers lineman. Mötorizer, energized by tunes like “Rock Out” (an anthem) and “Runaround Man,” is out of control like a Harley on a kindergarten playground.
MP3: “Runaround Man” by Mötorhead
Black Ice, the first studio album in eight years from AC/DC, goes on sale Oct. 20 exclusively at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the AC/DC website. No word yet on what extras the package will contain, but it’s likely one bundle will include a DVD with a 1996 show from Madrid. And a few weeks later, the Scottish-Australian rock unit will mount a world tour, their first since 2001. We couldn’t get our hands on any downloads, but the AC/DC website has some tantalizing snippets from Black Ice.
30 Days Out 