The Scoop - April 2004

GUNS AND…

The time has come for Guns N Roses fans to rejoice. It’s been well over a decade since the last GNR album but 2004 is shaping up to be the most productive year for the group yet. Universal Music have just released the first ever ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation for the band taking some of the best cuts from multiple platinum albums such as 1987's “Appetite For Destruction” (‘Sweet Child O' Mine’, ‘Welcome To The Jungle’, ‘Paradise City’), 1988’s “GNR Lies” (‘Patience’), and 1991’s “Use Your Illusion I & II” (‘You Could Be Mine’, ‘November Rain’, ‘Don't Cry’, ‘Live and Let Die’, ‘Yesterdays’, ‘Civil War’, ‘Knockin’ On Heaven's Door’). The album rounds off with a couple of covers including The Dead Boys' ‘Ain't It Fun’, The Skyliners 'Since I Don't Have You' and the Rolling Stones’ ‘Sympathy For The Devil’. Also look out for the ridiculously long awaited new album ‘Chinese Democracy’ which will surely see the light of day this year. However, they’ll have to do it without the services of guitarist Buckethead who walked out on the group just last month after a four-year stint. Apparently he became fed up with the band’s inactivity. Axl Rose is left as the only remaining original member of the group. So what happened to the others you may ask?

…REVOLVERS

Former Guns N Roses members Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums) went on to form Velvet Revolver in 2002. At the time, this very column reported that the band were in the process of looking for just the right vocalist to perfect the ensemble. Fast forward to 2004 and the band is complete with Scott Weiland (ex-Stone Temple Pilots) up front and guitarist Dave Kushner (ex-Wasted Youth & Dave Navarro's band). According to Weiland, the group’s formation is like a rebirth for its members. He says, "We're looking to get back that same feeling we had when we all first started making music - the sense of doing it for the pure joy of making music. Along the way the whole idea that got us into this had been raped and sodomised. We were all in mourning of that and wondering if we could somehow get it back. As it turns out, the only way we could get it all back was to start it all new. Now we have that opportunity and it's f**king amazing. This music is just vicious, very aggressive and it forces you to lace your boots up and sort of get ready for the fight." The band have just completed recording their debut album ‘Contraband’ which was co-produced by Josh Abraham (Limp Bizkit, Soulfly, Pacifier) and will be unleashing it to the world on June 7. Some of the tracks to expect on this monster include ‘Sucker Train Blues’, ‘Fall To Pieces’, ‘Super Human’, ‘You Got No Right’, ‘Set Me Free’, ‘Headspace’ and the first single ‘Slither’ which will hit Australian radio on April 12. Guitarist Slash is clearly itching to get back on the road and play this stuff to the masses. He says, "We can't wait. I'm just looking forward to fulfilling a touring thing that I never got to really finish with Guns. That's what I love."

JERK & MERCURY4 LINE-UP CHANGES

Two Australian acts lose members this month. Sydney-based hard/electronic rock outfit Jerk have announced the departure of vocalist Johnathan Devoy. A band spokesperson issued the following statement, "We had a great time with John, but regrettably started heading in different directions. The split is an amicable one and by mutual agreement. We wish John all the best and hope to bring Jerk back as soon as possible.” The band are now in the process of recruiting a new vocalist and are currently working on material for a new album as well as preparing for an assault on the UK and Europe later this year. It has also been revealed by Rien, Cole and Brad of Mercury4 that Jarvier Perez has left the band and has been replaced by 21-year-old Melbourne local Kevin Layton. The band, who are currently in the studio completing their debut album, issued the following statement, "It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce that Jarvier has left Mercury4 for personal reasons. It was a terribly difficult decision for Jarvs to make, but just as difficult for the rest of us in the band to accept. However, we wish him all the luck and happiness for whatever he decides to do next. On a brighter note, we are enormously excited that Kevin has joined us, and look forward to releasing our next single and our debut album together." Following on from the success of their first two singles, 'Get Me Some' and '5 Years From Now', their next single 'Every Little Step' will be released in May followed shortly after by their self-titled debut album.

VICIOUS PARTNERSHIP

Shock Records have announced details of a groundbreaking partnership that will see them working closely with Vicious Pty Ltd - the label that was founded by Andy Van, John Course and Colin Daniels in 1992. As well as sales & distribution, they will work together on developing various projects including on-line concepts, strategic compilations and unique marketing initiatives. Vicious, whose roster of artists includes the now defunct Madison Avenue, Rogue Traders, J Wess and NuBreed, believe it to be a fantastic move while Shock CEO Charles Caldas says, "In a world market which is seeing fantastic opportunities emerging in the independent sector, I am particularly pleased that we have been able to forge an alliance with such a great Australian independent label. Vicious have proved time and time again that they lead the way in dance and urban music in this country and I firmly believe that their creative vision matched with our proven track record as a distribution network will see great things being achieved in the future." The first release they will work on is the highly anticipated debut album from Melbourne breaks act NuBreed. To be titled ‘The Original’, the album has received high praise from UK media and will be released locally on April 26.

OTHER NEWS

*March was another big month for Aussies abroad. In addition to the “Aussie Invasion Tour”, The Living End squeezed some time into their hectic schedule to perform ‘Who’s Gonna Save Us’ on the Conan O'Brien Show. The song also became the #1 most added track at modern rock radio in the US. In other news, Perth’s End Of Fashion had a bit of drama when their drummer Michael Hobbs couldn’t obtain a Visa for the United States in time for their performances at the illustrious South By South West showcase. So it was nice of Ben Gillies of Silverchair to come to the rescue and fill in for him. End of Fashion MP3: Rough Diamonds

*Universal Music Australia has signed on with Popstars Live and will provide the show’s winner with a recording contract. The company has contracted Trevor Steel (The Escape Club) to produce and A&R the winner’s album. He said, “The winner of Popstars Live will have a lot of work ahead of them. I am extremely impressed with the talent I have seen so far.” It has also been announced that the winner will receive a “Pop Star passport” that will take them to London, New York and LA to meet and receive advice from some of the big music industry heavyweights.

*Avril Lavigne has completed work on the follow up to her 2002 debut album ‘Let Go’. To be titled ‘Under My Skin’, the album has been confirmed for worldwide release on May 24. Lavigne offers an interesting explanation regarding the video for the first single ‘Don’t Tell Me’. "It's about being strong," she says. "There are a lot of guys out there who just want to take you out to dinner and then, like basically go home and 'unhh' you. That's what a lot of guys are like and I just think girls need to be strong and not let any guy pressure them into doing anything." The single hits the stores on April 19.

*Belgium’s Lasgo, who are behind the hits 'Something,' 'Alone,' & 'Pray', won their second award at the International Dance Music Awards last month. They picked up the gong in the 'Best Hi-NRG / Euro' category with their song 'Alone'. In 2003, they won the 'Best New Dance Artist Group' award. Check out their new single ‘Surrender’, which is out now.

Danny Canak

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