Tagged: metal
Legendary Radio Personality, Metal Music Promoter FRANK WEBB (aka BLACK FRANK) Inducted Into LOUISVILLE ROCK & METAL HALL of FAME
By: Donnie Hardin
In 1986 my older brother Kenny had taken me to my first real concert at the age of nine to see Ozzy Osbourne at the old Cardinal Stadium. A young band of dirty haired, ripped jean wearing, greasy-haired thrashers called Metallica, unknown to me, opened the show. Cliff Burton would die in a tragic accident a couple of months later.
By the time 1993 rolled around I was a teenage headbanger, while proudly toting my beloved Walkman cassette player to school, getting geared up for the day with the sounds of Metallica, Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, Megadeth, and a selective assortment of others, I was hungry for more.
Frank w/ Lajon of Sevendust
There was nothing quite as awesome as brand new 10-pack of shiny, blank cassette tapes. When you ripped off the packaging they had a unique smell. Brand new plastic. Untouched. By the radio we would sit patiently waiting for that one song, but it would only be hard rock at best, like Guns-N-Roses, Skid Row, or Whitesnake. There were no metal tunes on rotation. (Not until Metallica released ‘One’ off ‘…And Justice For All’ in 1989. But never would you hear Slayer, Pantera, Testament, Sepultura, Suicidal Tendencies, Metal Church, or any of the heavier bands. You had to first read about new releases in Metal Edge or Hit Parader magazines, which were expensive, or be lucky enough to have an older brother who had friends with jobs and played in bands. But it was all spread about, for me anyway.
On August 8, 1993, that would ALL change when our local rock radio station, The Fox, had hired a disc jockey by the name of ‘BLACK FRANK’, and gave him a show originally called ‘The Metal Pit’, later renamed ‘The Attitude Network’, complete with eerie background sounds such as grinding metal, power saws, and spooky, cool noises behind this seriously incredible radio voice. This guy knew his shit too. he wasn’t playing songs off of a list passed down from some geek in a suit and tie somewhere high up the corporate food-chain at Clear Channel Productions.
Dave Mustaine w/ his pal Frank (1995)
It was Frank’s list, metal news, release dates, tour dates, and various metal happenings worldwide, scrawled out on a legal pad. I would sit in my bedroom with a fresh cassette tape every week waiting for midnight to strike because he would likely play something by a band I had never heard of, that I would love, like Machine Head, Biohazard, Skinlab, Corrosion of Conformity, Downset, Korn, Voivod, Fear Factory, on and on.
Frank Webb aka Black Frank (I wouldn’t know his real name for about twenty years later)… He had the perfect voice for any radio station covering any genre in the country, and we, the hard-edged thrashers, slammers, fist pumping armies of the 502, 270, and 812 area codes, we were the lucky ones because he was one of the biggest reasons, if not THE biggest reason amazing national acts started coming out of the woodwork to play Louisville Gardens, The Brewery Thunderdome, or The Palace Theater, shaking up our previously tame and humble river city, inspiring would be musicians as an unstoppable collective, eventually kicking ass with our own brand of metal, as the incredible local scene would take hold in the mid-to-late 1990’s, producing nationally relevant acts such as My Own Victim, Primer 55, and Flaw along with local titans Faceplant, Incursion, Shapeless Matrix, Luther, Factor 9, Engrind, and so many more. more, all of which FRANK WEBB promoted, pushed, pimped out, and believed in as much as anyone could have.
Frank getting loose w/ The Bobby Burns of Primer 55
I have heard many of my peers talk about the old days, before we all had the luxury of Google, You Tube, when Black Frank could be counted on every single week to play some groundbreaking metal. Then when we started making the metal ourselves, he enabled us, whether you were Dimebag Darrell or unknown me, he would, and continues to carry on a great conversation with anyone whether they are a rock star or unsigned drummer of a garage band in the south end.
I ramble, but I ramble for a good reason.
Thank you FRANK WEBB for your service to this very fortunate metal music community. You may not have been born in Louisville, but you are LOUISVILLE’S BLACK FRANK.
It is about time that Frank Webb hits the airwaves again.
Phil Anselmo explaining to Frank that he needs to get back on the air!
PRIMER 55’s Bobby Burns Inducted Into ‘Louisville Rock & Metal Hall of Fame’; Band Could Play Last Gig Sept. 19th
It is with honor that we at the Daily Rock Report Louisville Rock & Metal Hall of Fame announce our very first inductee, Bobby Burns, the driven, and musically clever mastermind, visionary and founder of PRIMER 55.
‘Introduction To Mayhem’ (Island Records, 2000)
Released January 25, 2000 by Island Records, Primer 55’s debut, ‘Introduction To Mayhem’ has proven to leave an eternal stamp in modern music history, maintaining staying power among fans with songs such as ‘Loose’, ‘ Freak Love’, ‘Dose’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘The Big F**k You’, and other groove metal hybrid based cutting edge tunes carefully and uniquely arranged by Burns.
The album is permanently embedded into hard rock and metal history having been sort of an “Introduction” to the 2000’s portion of the then rising alternative metal / Nu-Metal revolution.
Led by Bobby, with the swagger of some sort of musical modern alter-ego of General George S. Patton, the music of Primer 55 provided a flare to the industry. His vision of ideas melted and stirred into a soulful mixing pot of punk, metal, hip-hop with a powerful element of body twitching groove that listeners of the genre simply could not deny.
Not just some dime-a-dozen guitar player, Burns knows his way around the mixing knobs, wrinkles and pockets of the recording studio due to the fact that he has a superior ear packaged with a strong vision.
Primer 55’s sophomore effort, (The) New Release, dropped on August 14, 2001, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and #102 on the Billboard 200. The single ‘This Life’, peaked at #37 on Mainstream Rock Tracks.
In 2003 Bobby would join forces with metal heavyweights SOULFLY, accepting an offer to fill the role of bassist, a gig that many well-known metal bass players would have begged, clawed and killed for just for a secure shot to play with one of the most relevant metal musicians of all time, Max Cavalera.
Soulfly released four studio albums with Burns over the course of seven years. An admirable feat of mental and physical endurance for anyone working with Max Cavalera, and his managing wife Gloria. The couple has developed a sort of reputation among industry insiders as being difficult to deal with. Just ask Max’s former Brazilian band mates SEPULTURA. When Max and Gloria left them behind after feuding over power struggles, Max even left his brother, Igor Cavalera behind. A bit ironic for a guy being all about “family”. 
So where does Bobby Burns get his unstoppable determination to keep pushing forward with all he has? There is this little theory I have, called the Muhammad Ali Effect.
The story goes, and in my opinion, is one of truth, that after the Cassius Clay (who would later change his name to Muhammad Ali), returned to the city of Louisville after winning the World Olympic Gold Metal for Heavyweights, representing our country and planting the seed for what would grow into something much larger than just simply being a boy from Louisville.
Ali, after giving the USA a reason to swagger, especially his hometown, walked into a local eatery in the downtown Louisville area, Gold Medal around his neck, and was told that “Colored’s were not allowed, despite being a National Sports Hero. He probably did not even consider the thought of being barred, Louisville was already a much more evolved melting pot and known for its racial relations, which became a model for many cities, and every south of the Ohio.
Ali was furious, the Gold Medal, in his mind had been reduced to nothing more than a chunk of worthless scrap metal. He walked onto the Second Street bridge, feeling defeated as he walked along the walkway, and angrily feeling defeated, tossed the Gold Medal into the Ohio River.
He would go on to never give up ever again. To give all he had for what he believed. In a bout with millions of Americans calling him a traitor, facing prison, he pressed on. He would not bow down, he told the world, someone would have to kill him. They didn’t. Ali, now a long time sufferer of Parkinson’s disease, has not let that deter him still to this very day. In recent years, I personally have seen him in attendance at several University of Louisville sporting events, representing his city. He never gave up on Louisville or himself.
Horns Up Against Cancer Line-up (9/19/15 Louisville, KY)
Somewhere lodged deeply in the sediment of the Ohio River is something nearly as symbolic, which transcends any one life and is responsible for being the source of unlimited hope and determination. The Holy Grail of the Ohio River. Those living in the city drink the tapped water and live off of it. Call me crazy, call me what you will, THE GREATNESS is within an incredible number of local natives and citizens. Many who are iconic and world-famous. I personally cite the great Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, my literary hero, as a prime example.
Those living in the Louisville, Kentucky area will have a chance to see PRIMER 55 on September 19, 2015 at a cancer research funding event called ‘HORNS UP AGAINST CANCER’. with all proceeds funding the well-established ‘F**K CANCER FOUNDATION’. It just may be the bands final show ever, “or at least, the last Primer 55 show for a very long time” Burns said recently stating that new vision, with a new direction have emerged from the mind of the musical genius.
Bobby Burns talks about playing what could be last Primer 55 show in Louisville…
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Louisville Power Metal Icon’s INCURSION Re-United; To Hit Stage Again, Re-Issue Entire CD Catalog
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky –
By: Donnie Hardin
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s the Louisville metal scene thrived thanks to a few great local acts. One of those acts was the brutality laden power-groove-metal band Incursion. Being at an Incursion show or even band practice would put you in some kind of odd upbeat, energetic form of a trance with the dueling and seemingly possessed vocals of their two vocalists, (or co-vocalists as I would refer to them) of Van Avery and Tim (aka Stem) Holder along with the demonic and brutal guitar riffs and head banging drum beats. You couldn’t help but have your soul and body become a part of the eerie, powerful groove metal sounds.
Incursion is set to return to the stage September 19th for a good cause. (Horns Up Against Cancer)
I will be writing more about them within the next couple of weeks, as they have announced they are working together once again and will see the stage and re-issue their complete cd catalog. For those who live outside of the city of Louisville and state of Kentucky, and like some good groove oriented metal I just wanted to share with you some of their music for now… check them out. If you like what you hear, like them on Facebook here.
Venting With Vengeance From The Bowels Of The River City: Louisville Music Scene
By: Donnie Hardin
A couple of months ago when I started this site, on a whim, just so that I had a platform to post my interview with an incredible vocal talent, and friend of mine from a band that has been there and done that, in Louisville and beyond… touring on Ozzfest, having videos on MTV (When they showed music videos), snippets of one of their songs on a rock icons episode of ‘MTV Cribs’, a song on the soundtrack of a major motion picture… by far the most relevant hard rock/metal band I’ve known from my native land.
Anyway, as good friends of mine and an amazing band, who have come back with mind boggling focus, determination, and a family of long time loyal fans, I am very grateful it was them that helped me get this thing up and going so that I have made an attempt to build as a legit, amateur, non-profit music news website (eh.. I mean broke ass hack needing a thesaurus, who just loves music and rambling on about what I like to ramble about). So obviously I have shown a lot of support, as they more than deserve, posting links around to my other “friends” and music veterans of the same music scene.
I get a message from a well-respected guitarist from a great Louisville band who did some big things in the 1990’s. Badasses. Loved the original vocalist. It was a flyer for his current bands tour of a few midwest region gigs and so and so’s dive bar down in the cut, or wherever. So, I posted the flyer on the Facebook page, showing a local band some support, as if it is a brotherhood. I am not a fan of the band, but I get what they do, It’s just not my thing. It’s all about supporting my peers, as an ex-vocalist in the scene, those who you had played amongst and loved jamming to in the past, it’s the right thing to do. I’m not going to just come out and say, “Yeah you kicked ass back in the day, I’m just not a big fan of your current band.” I’m not that guy.
Well, apparently I had posted a link to an interview I did with the band I had been supporting, all from Louisville and whom I assumed were friends, being that they are all friends on Facebook and local longtime veteran good guitar player didn’t like it. “Man, I’m just not into that Limp Bizkit type shit.” Which is odd because this very moment is the first time I have even mentioned that band on here. He then added, totally unprompted I might add, “(so and so) from (the first band I mentioned) Is a total poser.”
Obviously he didn’t approve of me speaking so highly of this highly regarded amazing musician and even better man, a remarkable human being all the way around and felt compelled to let me know. How fucking lame. Metal elitists bullshit. I was livid but didn’t respond with much, “I like who I like and I support who I support.” He replied with a thumbs up, but basically he was calling me out for supporting these fictional “Limp Bizkit type bands”.
So I am not going to name names, that is not the point. The point is that it is completely assinine to go and talk shit about so and so from another local band to a guy who is just fiddling around with dreams to be a journalist. All respect lost. I will never mention his bands name ever again unless it’s to say they need a new singer. But negativity and jealousy isn’t my thing, I will leave it to those arrogant, struggling, underground elitists twats. There is a reason you are underground, way underground and the other band is not. You.
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STONE SOUR Makes ‘Meanwhile In Burbank…’ EP Available For Streaming, COREY TAYLOR Says Two More Cover EP’s To Be Released
STONE SOUR has made the five song “Meanwhile In Burbank…” EP featuring covers from Alice In Chains, Judas Priest, KISS, Black Sabbath, and Metallica available for streaming here. The EP was recorded live at Room 237 in Burbank, California, and was originally released April 18 only on vinyl at select record stores.
“Meanwhile In Burbank…“ track listing:
1. We Die Young (ALICE IN CHAINS cover)
2. Heading Out To The Highway (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
3. Love Gun (KISS cover)
4. Creeping Death (METALLICA cover)
5. Children Of The Grave (BLACK SABBATH cover)
The band will release two more EP’s of cover songs titled “Straight Out Of Burbank” and “No Sleep ‘Till Burbank” according to vocalist Corey Taylor. Each will include five tracks including covers of Rage Against The Machine, Motley Crue, Bad Brains, and Violent Femmes songs.
Exclusive Interview: SATURATE Guitarist MIKE MEXAS Discusses The Writing Process, Touring & The Hard Work Involved
By: Brooke Edgewater
Soul Element was released in December of 2006, then re-released in 2008 through a distribution contract that put the album on shelves at Best Buy, Hot topic and other franchises. Their second album, in 2010, ‘The Point of No Return’ was released independently that summer. The first single off the sophomore album, Keep Digging, is provides a more upbeat groove with a driving hook.” The bands third album, Damage The Memory, would once again mesmerize their fan base and more with the heavy, harmoniously haunting melodies that has become their trademark. Jimmy Miller (Vocals), Mike Mexas (Guitar), Hector Porras (Bass) and Fernando Cruz (Drums) have been described as a “Houston based four-piece rock quartet” ever since.
Exclusive Interview: SEPULTURA Frontman DERRICK GREEN Talks About Bands New Single, Joining Sepultura
By: Donnie Hardin
Derrick Green – Sepultura
Q) At what age did you feel inspired to want to join a band of your own? Going into this era of your life, who was your #1 inspiration to do so?
Q) Describe the first time you got together with other people to try to jam as a band? What was it like?
It was invigorating as soon as we were done jamming. I wanted to do it all over again! I was hooked and there was no turning back. It was a relaxing feeling being completely open with close friends and no one judging you for who you are. It sounded like crap I’m sure but what we were hearing was the chance to get better at our instruments and sharing in this desire.
Q) At age 15 you joined the band ‘Outface’ as the singer. You were previously a roadie, how did you secure the vocal position?
Q) In 1997 you tried out for metal legends Sepultura over the course of a two-week period. Explain what this time period was like, how confident were you during the actual audition process?
Q) You were eventually named the lead vocalist of Sepultura, a band that was very established and HUGE at the time, once it was made official to name you as vocalist, how excited were you? Was there a lot of pressure knowing that you had to replace Max Cavalera, who Sepultura fans were extremely loyal to?
Q) What are some of the most memorable moments of your career? (People you’ve met, shared the stage with, etc.)
Q) You are currently on tour with Sepultura, is the band currently working on material for a new album? What can we look forward to from Sepultura, are there any other projects separate from the band you would like to discuss?
U.S. Black Metal Bands Khaotika, Wormreich Involved In Deadly Accident
Tragedy struck earlier this morning in GA, as a 15-passenger van carrying two bands – Khaotika and Wormreich – crashed, causing multiple fatalities, and leaving others in critical condition.
From the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Scott Smith said the driver of the 15-passenger van “apparently fell asleep and allowed the vehicle to leave the roadway, at which time the vehicle struck a tree on the passenger side.”
Three of the van’s 12 occupants were ejected, Smith said.
He said there were three fatalities on the scene. Eight other people were taken to local hospitals, three in critical condition.
The van was traveling from a show last night in Spartansburg, South Carolina, about 175 miles away. They were on their way to play The Basement in Atlanta, GA tonight, which has now been cancelled. The tour, which began on Friday, was to have wrapped up tonight. The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
FLAW – The Reawakening Tour (Official Trailer)
FLAW Returns To The Road, Announces Plans To Release First Full-Length Album In Over Ten Years
In an article published on http://www.bravewords.com Flaw has announced plans to release a new full-length album as negotiations are underway to lock down a label according to enthusiastic front man Chris Volz,
“I’m so excited to announce the soon-to-come release of our first full length album in over 10 years! We are locking down a record label as we speak with our manager Scott Frazier, and have been recording with Grammy winning producer Skidd Mills. We embark on a nationwide tour May 1st with our good friends Seasons After, and I am happy to say that we will be hitting a lot of cities we haven’t played in for quite some time. Words can’t express how psyched we are to be back and how proud we are of the recordings. See you guys soon!” Volz said in the statement.
Chris Volz – Flaw
Volz spoke of his enthusiasm to get back in the studio and work on the full length album, “I’m so excited to announce the soon-to-come release of our first full length album in over 10 years! We are locking down a record label as we speak with our manager Scott Frazier, and have been recording with Grammy winning producer Skidd Mills. We embark on a nationwide tour May 1st with our good friends Seasons After, and I am happy to say that we will be hitting a lot of cities we haven’t played in for quite some time. Words can’t express how psyched we are to be back and how proud we are of the recordings. See you guys soon!”
Jay Daunt – Flaw
Guitarist Jay Daunt, who co-founded the band with Volz in 1995 adds, “After several years apart to work out personal issues we have reunited. The time apart has given us clear heads and a new appreciation for the music we are capable of creating together. We are stoked about our renewed musical relationship and can’t wait to share it with the world.”
In 2001 Flaw signed with Universal Republic, and released their major label debut Through The Eyes, and in 2004 the band released their sophomore effort, Endangered Species.
The article goes on to mention the personnel changes and the end of the bands relationship with Republic in 2004 and the eventual attempted reincarnations of the band until the original Through The Eyes era line-up re-united in 2013, and after eight years of inactivity, the bands official website was re-launched.
Flaw will hit the road in May with Pavement Entertainment act SEASONS AFTER as the band reaches a more than deserving milestone in its career on The Reawakening Tour.
Daily Rock Report 