Joe Perry to Collaborate With Paul McCartney

As if Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry and former Beatle Paul McCartney weren't both astounding legends in their own right already, it seems the two of them have been working together in the studio. I'll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor.

According to an interview Perry did with the Chicago Sun-Times recently, he says he did a session with Sir Paul for "a private thing". Perry says, “I met him once or twice [over the years] to say hello. To spend six or eight hours in studio with him recording! He makes you feel like [you’re recording with just another guy]. He just happens to be a motherf—ing huge talent! Everyone’s in the room at once; you play until you get a good take.”

I can only imagine what kind of an experience that must have been for Perry. For any musician born in the last 40-50 years getting the chance to play for Sir Paul would be the pinnacle of their musical career and in a sense a religious experience. When asked about his own experience recording with McCartney, Perry says:

“It’s the great ego leveler. I was in the studio with Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp, playing guitar, and the three of us are looking at each other like, hey, we’re sitting here with Paul McCartney! And we’re all looking at each other like open-mouthed kids. Paul was really nice. He’s all about business [when he’s recording]. At 72 he can still hit all those notes.”

Unfortunately Perry would not give any further details about the release of the project even though now that we know about it we're all on the edge of our seats anticipating it. He says they are keeping it "under wraps" for the time being. What a shame. I guess it must be something really big if there is that much secrecy about it. What piques my interest in addition to Perry being on the record is Alice Cooper. I wonder how he and McCartney would blend together.... I guess we'll find out eventually.

Throwback Thursday: Velvet Revolver's Contraband

 

In 2002, former Guns N' Roses member Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum came to realize after a benefit they played together for fallen drummer Randy Castillo that even though they were no longer in a band together, they still had chemistry together as musicians. This lead them to the decision that they should start a new band, which then lead them to hire rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner who had played with bands like Suicidal Tendencies, Wasted Youth, and Dave Navarro. From there, the band did a search that was televised for VH1 for a singer to front the group. One of the singers was Buckcherry's Josh Todd, but Slash decided it was not meant to be. After many auditions however, the band picked Stone Temple Pilots' former front man Scott Weiland. With the line-up complete, the band donned the name Velvet Revolver.

The band then recorded a single Set Me Free for the soundtrack of the 2003 film The Hulk. Not long afterward, they began working on their debut album Contraband at Pulse Recording and NRG. Velvet Revolver along with producers Josh Abraham and Nick Raskulinecz decided that since this was a new band, they wanted this new album to sound completely different from anything they had done together in Guns N' Roses. The result of this was a sound that was much heavier, grittier, and far more alternative than before. On June 8th of 2004, the moment of truth came when the album was released to the general public. Fortunately for them, Contraband debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts. It sold 256,000 copies in the first week.

Set Me Free starts off with an absolutely killer riff from Slash which then leads into a big build-up from the rest of the band. The verses themselves are pretty laid back where Weiland is mostly singing over a bass-line from McKagan and a beat from Sorum. After another build-up of a pre-chorus, the chorus kicks down your front door for you to rock out to and sing along with. While there is some amount of soloing in the song, surprisingly Slash takes a more laid back approach in this tune. Nonetheless it is still some fantastic guitar work.

You Got No Right is more of a laid back song in some respects, but both Weiland and Slash REALLY shine through on this one. Of course Kushner's acoustic work can't be ignored either. Like most songs on this album however, while the beginning and the verses are mostly softer and melody based, it does get loud and heavy at certain points, especially during the climax of the song where Slash busts into one of the most catchy, beautiful, and melodic solos of his career. Seriously, it's an eargasm. Weiland while usually known for the grit in his voice seems to genuinely sing in this song and put some real feeling into it. There are even some nice backing harmony vocals. The ending after Slash's solo goes back into straight acoustic with Weiland singing until it goes back into another chorus until the song comes to a close.

There are very few albums in existence that can be considered all killer and no filler, but Contraband is definitely one of them. It shows the kind of renewed energy that all of these musicians had at the time it was made and also proves to the world that they could be more than just Guns N' Roses without Axl Rose. I could go on and on about every last track on this album, but that would just take way too long. If you're into heavy alternative rock, this album is right up your alley. Even if you're not, it's still worth a listen. I wasn't that much into that kind of thing, but giving this album a shot was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Contraband, by Velvet Revolver receives 5 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Sucker Train Blues
2. Do It For the Kids
3. Big Machine
4. Illegal I Song
5. Spectacle
6. Fall to Pieces
7. Headspace
8. Superhuman
9. Set Me Free
10. You Got No Right
11. Slither
12. Dirty Little Thing
13. Loving the Alien

Buy the album on Amazon:

 http://www.amazon.com/Contraband-Explicit-Velvet-Revolver/dp/B00136NYUS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406262519&sr=8-1&keywords=Velvet+Revolver+Contraband

Three Great 1970's Prog-Rock Albums You May Not Know About

The 1970's were a great time for rock musicians to truly explore their art form and leave behind the structuring of traditional pop songs. Bands were no longer afraid to go off into long musical odysseys that would show people how much of an art form rock could truly be. Unfortunately over the years many of these artists and their albums have fallen into obscurity and can only be found if one digs around for them. I'm here to help save you a bit of work in that regard today with three great prog-rock albums from the 1970's.

1. Illusions on a Double Dimple, by Triumvirat

Triumvirat was a prog-rock band from Germany. They were considered Germany's answer to Emerson Lake and Palmer as their primary focus as a prog band were also keyboards and synthesizer, rather than guitar. Their 1974 release Illusions on a Double Dimple was their major breakthrough in the US and even acquired them an opening spot on tour for Fleetwood Mac. This album shows just how rich pianos and keyboards can be when utilized the right way. Most of the music is long instrumental sections with keys taking the focus rather than vocals, though there are vocals on the album. The drumming is also quite superb because multiple odd time signatures are used to keep rhythm behind the seemingly free form keyboard odyssey. Overall, Illusions on a Double Dimple is worth at least one listen. It is a rich tapestry of piano, organ, synthesizer, and many other unexpected elements.

2. Spectrum, by Billy Cobham

 Drummer Billy Cobham had risen to notoriety by touring with world renowned jazz performer Miles Davis. In 1973 however, Cobham wanted to do something on his own. The result was an album called Spectrum. Though it is more jazz fusion based rather than rock, it still has many prog-rock elements to it where it is free form and features a variety of instruments and elements used in rock. Cobham ended up recruiting a variety of skilled musicians, most notably guitarist Tommy Bolin and keyboardist Jan Hammer. The gathered musicians essentially just jammed while at the studio, but these jams were recorded and became the album itself in order to keep everything sounding natural and organic. This album is where young Bolin really got to strut his stuff and really sound like he was on fire. This appearance would later be noticed and recruited by Deep Purple. Overall, Spectrum is a very unique jazzy experience. Every last player sounds like they are really enjoying themselves by finally getting to show off their technical prowess while still putting in some soul.

3. Captain Beyond, by Captain Beyond

In 1972, ex-members of Iron Butterfly, Johnny Winter Band, and Deep Purple came together to form a new band called Captain Beyond and recorded an album of the same name. Though some of the elements of what they did were more straight traditional rock than the previous two albums mentioned, they were still very exploratory in that many of their time signatures were different from that of the norm and some parts of the album were also suites. Also, many songs featured a wide range of dynamics within the same song leaving the listener anticipating what could possibly happen next. The album also flows very well because the songs all flow into one another leaving no gaps of space whatsoever. This would be a good album for someone who would like to give prog-rock a try but would like to dip their toes in the pool first before going all in.

Dusty Hill of ZZ Top to Undergo Surgery, Postponing Tour

Looks like the trio from Texas will have to wait a little while before going out on tour. ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill is unfortunately going to have to have surgery, according to a statement from the band's publicist.

It turns out that Hill has two kidney stones that were found during a routine exam at the doctor's. Naturally his doctor told him he should have the surgery to have them removed as soon as possible. The surgery's date this week has not been disclosed, but he is expected to be fully recovered and ready to do go after two weeks of rest following the procedure.

This is going to force ZZ Top to cancel the first week of tour dates they have for this summer from the 26th of this month through the first of the next. They will end up picking things up in Sturgis, SD where afterward they will be co-headlining with guitar legend Jeff Beck in Sturgis on the 8th.

Hopefully Dusty gets through this with no problems whatsoever. It would be a shame for the Top to have to call it a day so early.

AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Releases Single 'Repo-Man' From Upcoming Solo Album

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd only a few days after announcing his upcoming solo album titled Head-Job has already dropped the first single. It's called Repo-Man.

This song is pretty much everything you would expect something from a member of AC/DC to be. It's loud, it's gritty, and it ROCKS. In an interview with Noise411 Rudd explains that all of the songs on his album are inspired by "the s*** that goes on" day to day in his life. What better source material than the stuff you experience every day? Other songs on the album will be Bad Move and Crazy.

Rudd assures that there is a double meaning to the title Head Job. Though in one connotation it is dirty, he insists the main meaning of it is “going to the pub to commiserate with your mates about someone doing your head in”. Kind of understandable. When every day life gets you down, what better a thing to do?

The album is due August 29th, so we won't be waiting a whole lot of time. It's a bit of a bold move on Rudd's part to announce an album after everything is already done with it, leaving little time to promote it before it comes out. This is an even bolder move because AC/DC is currently mixing their yet to be titled 15th studio album and follow-up to 2008's release Black Ice. Definitely a lot to be excited about in the AC/DC camp right now.

Scott Weiland Wants Velvet Revolver Reunion, But Only If It's Easy Money

It has come to the attention of the media recently that former Velvet Revolver vocalist Scott Weiland would like the band to reunite with him. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be just out of wanting to push forward and make new music with them.

In a recent interview with Canadian newspaper La Presse, Weiland says, “Velvet Revolver, there is no problem. I even called the guys to propose the idea of doing some shows together in a few months. We are on good terms, but I do not want to be a member of Velvet Revolver full-time. If possible, I would like to only play at festivals. You know, to make easy money.”

Looks like it's just a sad attempt at a cash grab. Now I understand needing money, but if you're going to take that route don't you think you would take a more subtle approach to it? How is that supposed to make the other members of the band feel? You would love to play with them, but only if it's for money?

Weiland of course knows that the band would probably not really be down for something like that because none of them are as anywhere near as in desperation for money as he is. He muses over this saying, "Dave [Kushner, guitarist] made music for TV. He made the theme of the series Sons of Anarchy. Duff [McKagan, bass] has a lot of money in the stock market. As for Slash, he put aside the money he did in the days of Guns N’ Roses. Finally, Matt [Sorum, drummer] has embarked on a package of stuff.”

To me, that kind of defeats the purpose of music altogether if it's just about cash. I personally am ALL for a VR reunion. I've missed them so badly. However, if I were to see them at a festival and they were playing only for money and no passion, I'd turn around and leave because such a show would be a waste. I and I'm sure many others would only want to see it happen as long as it was on the right terms.

Writer's Moment

I would like to take a moment here at the end to apologize for my recent extended absence and explain some things to you all. As those of you who read Young Ears, Fresh Perspective have probably noticed, I've been missing for the past week. This is due to the fact that I felt deathly ill and had no capacity to concentrate, no energy, no motivation to work, and was in no condition to bring you, the readers a quality product. I ended up getting hit with multiple ailments at once and it just sucked big time. Seriously. It was worse than listening to Justin Bieber while walking across coals and getting my back whipped simultaneously. Anyway, I'm not completely better but I've made enough progress to where I can start writing again. Again, I am REALLY sorry for such a prolonged absence. I hope it never has to come to that ever again. I know I don't have a huge readership at this point, but for those of you that do follow what I do I still humbly apologize for letting you down like this. With all that out of the way however, on with the show!

Chester Bennington and Stone Temple Pilots Working On New Music Together

It's still kind of hard to think of the Stone Temple Pilots with anyone but Scott Weiland as their front man, but Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington seems to have proven recently with the Out of Time single and Highrise EP that he and the Pilots can make some pretty good music together. However, Bennington's main priority is still of course Linkin Park. Depending on how you want to look at it, it could be good or bad. Personally I'd like to hear more work from Bennington with the Pilots.

It seems that those who share my view are in luck, though. Recently Bennington has had a quick break from working with Linkin Park and according to a couple of tweets from Pilots member Robert DeLeo (tweet 1 | tweet 2), he has utilized this time to get back together with Stone Temple Pilots in the studio to see what kinds of new tunes they can cook up. It honestly seems like they are all having a good time, so hopefully all of that positive energy results in some sweet new music.

Linkin Park recently released an album called The Hunting Party. After the break the band is taking at the moment, they will be getting back on stage later this month at Comic-Con, after which they will be joining up with AFI and Thirty Seconds to Mars for the Carnivores Tour, which sounds like a pretty awesome time.