Leahcevoli's Journals

Guitarist Michelle Meldrum of Metal Band MELDRUM Passes Away

Michelle Meldrum, leader of the band Meldrum and former Phantom Blue founder/guitarist, passed away late afternoon Wednesday, May 21, 2008 as a result of a cystic growth on her brain that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain rendering her brain dead.

According to a press release by VQPR, Michelle had been admitted to St Joseph's Hospital in Burbank on May 18th, and had slipped into a coma before passing.

Meldrum had recently announced a new band line-up, and had just completed the bands soon to be released album with drummer Gene Hoglan, Michele Madden (vocals) and Laura Christine (bass). The surviving band members plan to release the album later this year in tribute to their fallen band-mate.

As someone who personally knew Michelle as a friend and business associate, I can say that Meldrum was known in many circles, not only for her ground-breaking strides as a female musician in the Metal world, but for her compassion, and love. Never one to gossip or talk sh*t, Michelle was a shining example as a musician, friend, and most of all a mother to her three year old son Jake Thomas Norum.

Meldrum, 39 is survived by her parents, and three year old son, Jake Thomas.

Meldrum's Management, Dark Moon Entertainment will announce a memorial tribute benefit in the following weeks, and an education fund will be set up for Michelle's son Jake. Immediate Cash Donations to assist the family in this time of need can be made via pay-pal MichelleMeldrumFund@Gmail.com

About Michelle (Excerpt From Meldrumâ�™s website):

Michelle Meldrum was born on Sept 28, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan to a family of musicians and actors. At 13, Meldrum moved to Los Angeles, California and started her career in music by forming the thrash metal band Wargod with drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Death, and Strapping Young Lad). When Wargod disbanded Meldrum continued her search for a band and become both co-founder and lead guitarist in the all female metal/rock band Phantom Blue. Phantom Blue released their self-titled debut album on Shrapnel Records as well as Roadrunner Records, and eventually landed a deal with major label Geffen.

Once Phantom Blue disbanded after a successful run at fame, Michelle Meldrum moved to Sweden and formed her current band Meldrum. After many triumphant tours with such acts as Motorhead and Black Label Society, she reunited with Hoglan in 2006. Hoglan had appeared as a special guest on the Meldrum album prior and played several events. Inspired to once again collaborate, Meldrum moved back to America where she and Hoglan began writing the aforementioned (completed) third Meldrum album together.

I want to be the next Velvet Revolver Singer.

Yup, it's true. I want to be the next Velvet Revolver singer. I decided this the other night, as I drove home in my Mustang convertible, hair blowing in the wind, and Guns n Roses playing continuously on my boyfriend's ipod.

I let loose, and tried to belt out every lyric note for note with Axl Rose. It's a competition I've held with Axl for years now. I have a pretty healthy lung capacity and have always gotten a thrill trying to keep up with Axl's ability to sustain a note beyond most rock singers' abilities (Sebastian Bach withstanding of course).

I'm not a singer. I'd like to be. I believe we each have the gift of song within us. I've sung in church & school choirs, I've sung back-ups for friends' live shows and recordings, and I even put a cover band together for my 29th birthday,but I'm not a singer.

So as I'm listening, or rather belting out GnR songs with all my heart, I come back to a thought that has been eating at me for a few weeks now. Velvet Revolver is looking for a new singer. Axl Rose is still 'experiencing technical difficulties' with the release of Chinese Democracy, not to mention his guitarist, Robin Finck is currently back with NIN and on tour. Why not give it a shot?

I've been a fan since my first GnR concert in 1988--they opened for Aerosmith. I've also followed each of the side projects, (Izzy's JuJu Hounds, Slash's Snakepit, and Duff's Loaded), that have emerged thru the years. Then came Velvet Revolver. I've had the opportunity to see VR live 3x, and even Co-Hosted a benefit concert they performed at in '06 for an injured Deputy (Jim Mulay), in Malibu, CA. Velvet Revolver Rocks. No doubt about it, there is magic on that stage.....

Yet...nothing quite compares to the magic that the world witnessed in 1986, and remained hypnotized by, for roughly a decade of music and touring. I mean c'mon, we're talking about a band that experienced so much mojo together that they released two albums at once and even gave us two (lyrical) versions of the hit single "Don't Cry." Some of that mojo must still exist, or at least be able to be salvaged?

The band doesnâ�™t need to be Velvet Revolver or Guns n Roses-- it can be an entirely new project-- Rose Velvet, Velvet Guns, whatever! Axl can continue to work on Chinese Democracy; while Slash, Duff, and Matt audition singers thru the internet and give some unknown kid a chance at rock stardom, I'm all for it!

I recently had an opportunity to interview drummer Matt Sorum (for www.Buzznet.com), and when during the course of the interview Axl's name was brought up, there was a twinkle in his eye and a grin in his smile--for a moment-- I saw a lot of love for his former singer. http://buzzbot.buzznet.com/user/video/play/3101631/

Eh, maybe I'm being nostalgic- I'm getting older and nothing seems to be as exciting as being a teenager and seeing your favorite band play live. Guns n Roses meant so much to me, that reckless abandon, the courage to live life with no fear of consequences.... we sometimes lose that feeling when we become grown-ups.

Thatâ�™s what I mean when I say I want to be the next Velvet Revolver singer. I want to go for it, I want to live fully and grasp all of the possibilities that life presents to me. I want to love and be loved, and most importantly I want to listen to my heart.

So, I ask you--Axl, Duff, Matt, Slash, and Izzy--are you listening to your heart? What does it say? Is the mojo still there? Are you willing to let bygones be bygones? I leave you with your own words, "When I find out all the reasons, maybe I'll find another way, find another day, with all the changing seasons of my life, maybe I'll get it right next time......"

Slipknot Singer Parties With Camp Freddy; Matt Sorum Says LP Is on the Way

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California â�“ All-star rock project Camp Freddy tore it up in front of a star-studded, capacity crowd at The Roxy Theatre on Thursday night as part of their five-week residency at the venue, and Buzznet caught up with the band's drummer. [cut=Who showed?]

"These five shows are way to bring rock 'n' roll back to the Sunset Strip," Camp Freddy (and Velvet Revolver) drummer Matt Sorum told Buzznet about the residency. "We've got some new-wave artists. It's very diverse, it's not about what music you play, we've got rappers, people try to put too many tags and names on things, it's music you know, I dig music."

Before the core of Camp Freddy â�“ Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction), Billy Morrison (The Cult), (Velvet Revolver), Donovan Leitch, (son of singer Donovan), Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction) and Sorum â�“ took the stage, the audience was treated to a sexy 15 minutes from Darling Stilettos, a dance troupe co-produced by Sorum and his girlfriend. It was the perfect warm-up for the rock 'n' roll madness that was about to begin.

From the opening notes to the closing number, last night was a nonstop parade of guest vocalists and musicians jamming on classic cover tunes. Guest vocalists included Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Terri Nunn (Berlin), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) and Corey Parks (Nashville Pussy).

[Click the picture to view more from the show.]

One of the biggest surprises of the evening was Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour), who took the stage shirtless and belted out "Them Bones" by Alice in Chains. Taylor â�“ who has peformed with Alice in recent years â�“ looked around the stage, with Cantrell on his left, and laughed, "Can I just say that this is the most surreal moment of my entire f---ing life!" Taylor then asked if anyone had heard of a band called Free (a British rock group that was big in the '70s) and launched into one of the best versions I've heard of "Alright Now."

Camp Freddy primarily revolve around their lead vocalists, but that didn't stop drummers Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Budgie (Siouxsie and The Banshees), from making use of the extra drum kit onstage, giving the crowd two, sometimes three, percussionists performing at one time. Throw in a little Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard), Mike Inez (Alice in Chains), a rousing rendition of "Rock Superstar" featuring B-Real and Sen-Dog of Cypress Hill, a whole lot of sexy Navarro, and you can begin to get a picture of the diversity that Camp Freddy thrive for.

What's next for Camp Freddy? Two more weeks at The Roxy is certain, a possible television show is being discussed, and an album is in the works.

"We've done a bunch of covers, it's being worked on, it's coming together slowly," Sorum said. "There is a record, there's a lot of music done, we just need to lay vocals. It's a little difficult because every one has record labels, and we need to get clearance. Sometimes when you get big stars you can run into some difficulty business-wise. That's the wall we've hit. At Camp Freddy, we try to be artists for artists, we just talk to each other and work it out."

Camp Freddy set list:

"Hello There" (Cheap Trick)

"Song 2" (Blur)

"Bad Reputation" - with Parks on vocals (Joan Jett)

"Rock 'N' Roll Star" - with Campbell (Oasis)

"The Metro" - with Nunn on vocals (Berlin)

"Christine" - with Nunn on vocals and Budgie on drums (Siouxsie and The Banshees)

"Antmusic" - with Budgie (Adam & The Ants)

"Eighties" - with McGrath on vocals (Killing Joke)

"Rock and Roll All Nite" - with Cantrell (Kiss)

"Jailbreak" - with Cantrell on vocals and The Cult's Billy Duffy (Thin Lizzy)

"Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" - with Taylor on vocals (Van Halen)

"Rock Superstar" - with B-Real and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill)

"Highway to Hell" - (AC/DC)

"Them Bones" - with Taylor, Cantrell and Inez (Alice in Chains)

"All Right Now" - with Taylor, Campbell and Smith (Free)

"I Wanna Be Your Dog" - with Cantrell, Campbell, Taylor, Parks, Duffy, Smith, Budgie and Darling Stilettos (The Stooges)

- Leah Cevoli [/cut]

Motley Crue Delay Album Release to Add 'Ultimate Song'

Hard-rock fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of MÃ¶tley CrÃ¼e's upcoming album, Saints of Los Angeles. However, according to the band's publicist, the masses will have to wait just a little bit longer. [cut=Why!?]

Inspired by their recent performance at a Los Angeles press conference announcing this summer's CrÃ¼e Fest â�” a package tour featuring Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx: A.M. and Trapt â�” the sleazy bad boyz of rock and roll have extended their new album's production to include one more track, bringing the grand total to 13.

In a press statement released earlier today, Nikki Sixx said, "Before our performance at the press conference, we were firing on all cylinders at soundcheck, just jamming out, and that's when the new idea came. We quickly laid it down and went to the studio to record it, and liked it so much we pushed back the release one week so that we could get it onto the album. It now has 13 tracks. It's the ultimate song to end the record with and begin the new chapter of our career."

Saints of Los Angeles will now be released on June 24. It's the first new studio album from The CrÃ¼e (with all original members) in more than a decade. The album is said to be a continuation or a complement to the band's bestselling memoir, "The Dirt," and follows the story line of sex, drugs and rock and roll as seen through the eyes of Vince Neil, Tommy Lee, Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars.

The first single, "Saints of Los Angeles," has been steadily growing on rock radio and is #7 on the Media Base Mainstream Rock Chart.

CrÃ¼e Fest, produced by Live Nation, is sure to be one of the rowdiest rock festivals of '08. Forty dates have been announced so far, with the kickoff happening in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 1. Check the band's Web site for all the latest updates and info.

-Leah Cevoli

[/cut]

Sebastain Bach Prefers Own Music to Velvet Revolver's

Scott Weiland recently made a remark that suggested Velvet Revolver hire Sebastian Bach as their new lead singer. The claim seemed to be made in jest, as Bach had been one of the original candidates that Velvet Revolver considered when they first formed back in 2004. [cut=More!]

During yesterday's interview with Tampa's 98 Rock, Bach addressed the rumors: "I've talked to Slash recently ... I think it'd be really awkward for me to join that band," Bach stated. He explained that his new solo album, Angel Down, is his top priority and admitted that he likes his new music more than the Velvet Revolver records. When it comes to old music â�” he'd rather play his old Skid Row songs.

Bach also spoke out on his relationship with Axl Rose, and how that figured into his decision: "I wouldn't just join the band, just to join the band. If we came up with some incredible new songs, then maybe I'd think about it, but honestly, I'm very close friends with Axl, ... he's been so nice to me â�” he's helped me out my whole career. In Skid Row he helped us out, and in my solo band he brought me around the world, and then sang three songs on my new CD, which is pretty mind-blowing. I don't know... It's a cutthroat business, but Axl's been so nice to me. I don't think I would feel comfortable just joining Velvet Revolver and singing his songs every night. So I don't think that's gonna happen."

Bach's Angel Down is out right now, and you can catch him on tour this summer.

Velvet Revolver have been in the hunt for a new singer since the band booted Weiland on April 1. After that, Slash and Weiland publicly feuded over the split.

Who do you think would make the best lead vocalist for Velvet Revolver? Should the band hire an unknown singer? Or maybe ... they should bury the hatchet and bring Guns N' Roses back to life and make us all happy. Discuss in the comments below!

[/cut]

Jane's Addiction, Sex Pistols Members Visit Camp Freddy in L.A.

A who's who of legendary musicians took to the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California, last night for the first show in a month-long residency by Camp Freddy. [cut=Who!?] Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and Matt Sorum constitute the core of Camp Freddy, which has been described as a jam session, rather than a band.

According to their publicist, Camp Freddy were joined onstage by Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead), Sex Pistols' Steve Jones and Paul Cook, Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme/Satellite Party), Billy Duffy (The Cult), Warren DeMartini (Ratt), Poe, Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction) and Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains).

During for a pounding version of the Sex Pistols' "EMI," McGrath announced onstage, "I don't know what you think of me, because I've done some pretty douche-y things in my life," according to Billboard. "But that's OK, because right now I'm gonna do the greatest thing in my life," as he introduced Jones and Cook. McGrath added, "Live it, love it, blog about it," before taking lead vocals.

Camp Freddy formed four years ago, with Navarro, Sorum, guitarist/vocalist Morrison, bassist Chris Chaney (Jane's Addiction, Alanis Morissette), and singers McGrath and Donovan Leitch (son of folk singer Donovan.) They've been playing an ever-growing list of shows, from high-profile events to charity shows for disaster victims. The heart of Camp Freddy, however, is performing low-key, secret shows in their homebase of L.A.'s Indie 103.1 FM, which hosts Freddy's radio show.

Catch Camp Freddy performing every Thursday night in May on Sunset Boulevard. Find out more about them on their Web site.

- Leah Cevoli[/cut]

Superstitions Be Gone: The Cure Set To Release Album 13

Superstition has long placed fear around the number 13 â�” The Cure, however, are embracing it. The band recently announced the long-awaited release of its 13th studio album. [cut=Read!] Due on September 13, the band plans to release four singles (one a month) leading up to the album's release date.

The singles will be released on the 13th of every month, beginning on May 13. Each single will feature a B-side and be available in both disc and digital form on the band's Web site. Confirmed singles include "The Only One" and "Freakshow," with B-sides "NY Trip" and "All Kinds of Stuff" also in store.

In an interview with Billboard in July, vocalist Robert Smith said the album will feature "songs about relationships, the material world, politics and religion. They're very upfront and dynamic. People will be surprised how stripped-down and in-your-face the record is."

The new album, to be released through Suretone/Geffen, will be the band's first studio release in over a decade. The album, produced by Smith and Keith Uddin, will also feature guitarist Porl Thompson, along with bassist Simon Gallup and drummer Jason Cooper.

The Cure will launch their long-awaited U.S. tour May 9 at Washington, D.C.'s Patriot Center and wrap it up June 21 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. They will be joined on all dates by 65daysofstatic.

The Cure tour dates:

5.9: Washington, D.C. @ Patriot Center

5.10: Philadelphia, PA @ Wachovia Spectrum

5.12: Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena

5.14: Montreal, Canada @ Bell Centre

5.15: Toronto, Canada @ Air Canada Centre

5.17: Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena

5.19: Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre

5.21: Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre

5.23: Salt Lake City, UT @ E Center

5.25: George, WA @ Gorge Amphitheater (Sasquatch! Festival)

5.26: Vancouver, Canada @ General Motors Place

5.29: Santa Barbara,CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl

5.31: Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl

6.1: Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Auditorium

6.3: San Diego, CA @ Cox Arena

6.4: Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theatre

6.6: Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center

6.8: Austin, TX @ Austin Music Hall

6.9: Houston, TX@ Toyota Center

6.11: Tampa FL @ St. Pete Times Forum

6.13: Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Band Atlantic Center

6.15: Atlanta, GA @ Gwinnett Center

6.16: Charlotte, NC @ Charlotte Bobcats Arena

6.18: Cleveland, OH @ Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University

6.20: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden

6.21: New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall

- Leah Cevoli

[/cut]

Rihanna (Re)Mixes Things Up for Maroon 5

Maroon 5 and Rihanna have taken the art of remixing and collaborating one step further. According to a recent post on Maroon 5's Web site, the band's single "If I Never See Your Face Again" has been remixed, with Rih-Rih lending her vocals. [cut=Read it.] The reworked track is set to appear this summer on re-releases of Maroon 5's and Rihanna's recent albums â�” Good Girl Gone Bad and It Won't Be Soon Before Long, respectively â�” and a video has already been shot.

Rihanna revealed to MTV News: "We're both re-releasing our albums â�” mine's out July 17. This is the only collaboration on my re-release, because I always wanted to work with Maroon 5. They're one of my favorite bands. When they called me to do this record with them, I was so honored."

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine also spoke to MTV News about the remix: "The song was basically done, but we wanted to try something different, so we had her come in and do bits and pieces â�” it came together so quick. The only other collaboration I had done before was with Kanye [West], and it was the same way. It sounds cheesy, but if the magic is there, if the chemistry is there, you don't even have to think about it."

The video, which is being directed by Anthony Mandler (Spice Girls, Snoop Dogg), was shot in Los Angeles on Friday. Levine recently described the clip to MTV News, saying, "It's this kind of ultra-glamorous, photography-based, late-'70s/early-'80s situation. It's really stylish and really beautiful. It's the most choreographed thing I've ever done, because usually I just get up there and screw around. But with Rihanna, it's completely different and so cool."

Are you excited for the Rihanna/Maroon 5 remix of "If I Never See Your Face Again"? Whose music are you a bigger fan of? Discuss below!

- Leah Cevoli[/cut]

Britney Spears Gearing Up for Reunion With 'Mother'

In yet another attempt to get life back to "normal," Britney Spears is preparing to return to TV for her second appearance on "How I Met Your Mother." [cut=Excited?]

Spears first appeared on the show back in March as a receptionist named Abby, and Spears is reprising her character in an episode airing May 12. (People had previously reported about a second Brit appearance on the show, though the news hadn't been confirmed.) This time around, Abby, along with actor Neil Patrick Harris' character, pretend to be in a relationship in an effort to annoy Ted, played by Josh Radnor.

Spears' debut appearance on the TV show was well-received and gave the show its highest ratings (10.6 million viewers) since it first aired in September 2005. In a statement released earlier today, Craig Thomas (exec prod/co-creator) reportedly stated, "We're all so thrilled to have Britney joining us once again â�” and just to head it off at the pass this time around: Yes, Mom, Britney's very nice and no, I can't get her autograph for you."

Should Spears ditch music for a career in acting? Discuss in the comments below!

- Leah Cevoli[/cut]

Jane's Addiction's Original Lineup Reunites in L.A. for First Time in 10 Years

Rock fans in Los Angeles got a long-awaited fix from the original lineup of Jane's Addiction last night. All four members â�” Perry Farrell, Dave Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery â�” reunited for the first time in approximately 10 years. [cut=Continue.] The band played a set at the first-ever U.S. NME Awards, and it was chock-filled with hits â�” complete with an acoustic version of "Jane Says."

Rolling Stone reported that Farrell took the stage in a skintight black outfit, horse's tail and fairy boots, and told the audience, "It ainâ�™t nothing without you all ... I do that in my living room in my underpants and itâ�™s not as much fun."

Attendees included Mick Jones, The Killers, Mark Ronson, Kelly Osbourne, Danny Masterson, Alice Cooper, and more. Cooper told Rolling Stone, "They were one of my favorite bands from that era because they were the first band that was totally original. Nobody sounded like them."

- Leah Cevoli

[/cut]