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October 15, 2008
AC/DC Bassist Cliff Williams Is Ready For The Road
The year 2000 marked the last new album release by Australian hard rockers AC/DC, but after eight years, the band is back with a new album about to hit store shelves. More specifically, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club store shelves, since the group’s deal with the retail giant makes them the only brick-and-mortar retailer that will offer the album for sale.
"It’s nice to be back again," says Williams, who lives part-time in Fort Myers, Florida. "I feel recharged."
Although the group has not been working together regularly for a while, Williams has stayed sharp despite his encounter with a sharp object at his other home in North Carolina where he cut himself badly while cleaning up the glass from an accident involving and oil lamp. An injury that led to several surgeries and physical therapy.
Apparently, he recovered well from the accident. "I’m playing better than I’ve ever played. The thought of
never being able to play again never entered my mind, says Williams.
The new album, Black Ice, is being compared in some ways to the group’s best-selling album, Back In Black,
which was the first album the group released back in 1980 after the death of original lead singer Bon Scott. Back In Black has sold and estimated 42 million copies around the world, making it second only to Michael
Jackson’s Thriller as the best-selling album of all time.
To read more, check out The News-Press.
For those that are itching for a sneak preview of Black Ice, I received the following from Sony Music:
AC/DC’s Black Ice is currently streaming on VH1’s The Leak, giving fans a taste of AC/DC’s first album in eight years a week early. Black Ice will officially be available for purchase starting Monday, October 20th.
Check out Black Ice here:
http://www.vh1.com/music/the_leak
Events surrounding AC/DC’s Black Ice launch in NYC and L.A. this week, bringing fans a first taste in the countdown to the excitement of Black Ice’s release date. Fully decked-out interactive Black Ice trucks and “pop-up” stores will enhance the fan experience to new heights.
Beginning Thursday, October 16, AC/DC fans will be able to visit the Black Ice trucks in various locations (see schedule below) to listen to the Black Ice album in full, try out the yet-to-be-released AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack video game and compete for AC/DC concert tickets amongst like-minded super-fans.
Fans are invited to join the celebration at Times Square on Sunday, October 19 where Wal-Mart and MTV will unveil the AC/DC Rock Band-branded store, selling the first copies of Black Ice available to the public (which will be on-sale from the nearby Black Ice truck as well).
Dates are as follows:
New York Locations
10/16 12PM – 8PM Farmers Market NY @ 15th & West Side of Union Square,
10/17 9 AM – 6 PM Military Island (Times Square)
10/18 Roving New York
10/19 9 PM – 2 AM Wal-Mart & MTV “Pop Up” store at Times Square (Album release 12:01 am)
10/20 12PM – 8PM Times Square
10/21 12PM – 8PM Spring Street (Soho)
10/22 12PM – 8PM 66-67Street @ Broadway
LA Locations
10/16 12PM – 8PM Hollywood & Highland
10/17 12PM – 8PM The Grove
10/18 Roving Hollywood
10/19 10PM – 2AM Hollywood & Highland (Album release 12:01 am)
10/20 12PM – 8PM Hollywood & Highland
10/21 12PM – 8PM Universal City Walk
10/22 12PM – 8PM Farmer’s Market all day
AC/DC’s Black Ice World Tour opens on October 28th at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The worldwide tour – the band’s first since 2001 – promotes Black Ice, AC/DC’s latest studio album. Black Ice will be released on October 20th and sold in the U.S. exclusively at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and acdc.com. The album is currently available for pre-order at www.walmart.com and www.acdc.com.
August 18, 2008
A Scandalous Comeback?
OK, so Scandal may not come to mine when you think of classic rock groups, but Scandal, fronted by Patty Smyth did have a song or two in heavy rotation on MTV back in the early 80’s when I was in my early 20’s. Sure, some may think of Scandal as having more of a pop-rock sound, but I remember well those Scandal videos back then quite well. Mainly because I thought Patty Smyth was quite hot (especially on "Goodbye To You!") , and since she reminded me of a girl I dated briefly around that time, those vintage videos are even more memorable.
After Scandal faded from the scene, Smyth did some solo projects which included a successful solo album entitled Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough, which featured a duet with the Eagles’ Don Henley.
After marrying tennis star John McEnroe in the mid 1990’s and raising a few kids (some his and some hers), Smyth got the itch to get back on stage again. After a 2004 reunion on VH1’s Bands Reunited, Scandal was inspired to give it another go, and were on the road during 2006 with Rick Springfield.
Scandal seems to be gaining some traction these days, and like a lot of other classic groups, is starting to pick up some new fans from a generation that did not enjoy the benefits of MTV’s early days. Yeah, I kind of miss those early days with Martha Quinn and Nina Blackwood, and now I can’t remember the last time I tuned in, other than to watch Ozzy Osbourne’s show a few years back, which I thought was hilarious.
Anyway, enough with the reminiscing, and let’s back back to the present.
Scandal’s 1980’s hit "The Warrior" has been featured on an episode of Family Guy and on the video game "Grand Theft Auto," as well as an edition of "Guitar Hero" called "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the ‘80s." A testament to the band’s efforts to revive their career perhaps.
With two original members re-joining Smyth, guitarist Keith Mack and keyboardist/guitarist Benjy King, the group’s original bass player has been replaced with Tom Welsch and original drummer with Eran Asias.
Smyth is obviously quite happy to be working again, and this statement demonstrates that quite well: “We’re kicking ass and blowing minds out there. We’re so tight, if I fell down a flight of stairs, these four guys would follow me and we’d all land on our feet. I’ve never had more fun. For once, I feel like all the weight isn’t on me. I’m at the top of my game. When I step out on that stage, I’m in my element. It’s an unbelievable joy.”
For the full scoop, click on over to The Improper.
Scandal in the early days of MTV
