Bun E. Carlos on his fellow Cheap Trick “Shareholders”
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Man, this guy throws out the facts as fast as Cheap Trick releases any news. Not sure what happened but the band marriage is long over even though he is still getting his alimony…”On the drums, Mr. BUN E< CARLOS!” I never will forget that moment on the album…
Here is Bun E.’s latest FaceBook press release.
Re; Post R&R Hall Of Fame
When I heard that Cheap Trick were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and that the Hall and HBO had decided that the four of us would perform again it was humbling, and being re-united for that final performance was an overwhelming honor that I’m grateful for. I’m proud that the work we’ve done over the past 40 years was recognized.
This should be a time of celebration, we’re in the Hall Of Fame, Cheap Trick have a new record out, and I’ve go…t a new solo record coming in June. But it’s hard to celebrate when the other three Shareholders of Cheap Trick are in all the papers and on the radio calling me names and saying things that aren’t true. I don’t seek out the press and have laid low, sometimes making statements in response to theirs, and I don’t have a big machine behind me to promote myself. I’ve been in Cheap Trick for over 40 years and there’s a lot of dirty laundry I could air, but I prefer not to. It’s a bad look for Cheap Trick and for the four of us as individuals.
That said there’s a few things that now need to be addressed.
As was hopefully evident Friday night, I’m in great health and my back is fine, has been since the corrective surgery many years ago, neither my back or my health has ever limited me professionally. I continue to play drums everyday, perform about 3 dozen shows a year, and now that I have a record deal I look forward to recording regularly, I’m doing well.
I no longer tour or record with Cheap Trick because the other Shareholders asked me to allow them to use a hired drummer instead. I reluctantly agreed provided that I wasn’t thrown out of the businesses we spent our whole lives building together. But then they cleaned house and under the advisement of their new team tried to remove me from our companies, which at the end of the day didn’t end well for them.
From day one the four of us in Cheap Trick have been defined by the unique sound and energy we have when we’re on stage or in the studio together. When Tom quit in the ’80’s we brought in salaried musicians, and they were very good, but without Tom the recipe was different. And seven years later, after Tom returned, I was the one who insisted Cheap Trick restore his corporate rights. We all realized that the four of us together have something special, so special that it made it worth getting a quarter of the earnings instead of a third. Last week I finally saw them play with our salaried drummer on The Today Show and it was like seeing Cheap Trick without Tom, or perhaps to borrow from what recently Rick stated in Rolling Stone, “…three men and a baby.”
Few bands get along after 40 years but for the sake of Cheap Trick I truly hope that Rick, Tom, & Robin can drop the gloves, stop the ugly name calling, and find a way to live and let live.
Peace,
Bun E Carlos
Cheap Trick
April 12th, 2016
Rockford, IL
Categories: General Tags: ben e carlos, cheap trick, classic rock, rick nielsen, robin zanders, rock and roll, rockford, tom peterson
KickActs interviews Norman Matthew of “Murder FM”!
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Welcome to Kick Acts. Tell us a little about yourself and were you can be found online.
NORMAN MATTHEW: (in the vein of Tenacious D) Murder FM, greatest band on earth haha! We are the second coming of arena rock and not to proud to say
You can #getevil and find us online at murderfmmusic.com
Who are your musical heroes and influences? Why?
NORMAN MATTHEW: KISS, MOTLEY CRUE, GUNS N ROSES for that big, edgy, arena rock sound with huge hooks. THE CURE and DEPECHE MODE for introducing a dark, sleek, sexiness to lyrical content, because I’m not much a partier, so I really connected with that growing up, along with a dark classiness to band imagery I fell in love with. Then there was NINE INCH NAILS. Trent changed the game for me and opened my ears to an whole other sensory level of production. I adopted Trent Reznor’s work ethic in that i write the songs for the band, then bring them to the jam room to bring them to life live. Im not a jammer, i like to have a blue print or a road map with at least a general idea of where I am heading. NIN really influenced me production wise as well..
Do you have any advice for someone just getting started in the music business?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Learn it from the inside out!! Educate yourself on every level from management to booking, from being a roadie to a producer. The only way to be successful in this new industry model is to understand the business at the core, from the inside out, much like executives need to have product knowledge. The educated musician is the musician that will survive in this new world order of music.
What piece of advice did you ignore that you wish you hadn’t?
NORMAN MATTHEW: I have listened to every piece of advice ever given to me from anyone who came before me was willing to give me. I may not have followed it all, but I tailored it to what fit me. Best advice I ever received, “be careful who you step on the way up, because you see them on the way down” and “they can’t feel what doesn’t have feeling, so put every bit of yourself in every note”, i morphed that one so i can feel yoda like.
Do you have a greatest gig story or worst gig horror story you’d like to share?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Hmmm, that’s hard. EVERY show comes with it’s own set of challenges, from travel to sleep deprivation, the stress of having a hand in the business and in the creative, but i try to not focus on the negative and i never, ever look back or dwell on what i could’ve done, i just learn and move on. DEF greatest memory, first UK tour being sold out and performing in cities I only dreamed of as a kid such as Cardiff, Wales, Glasgow, Scotland and London, England, UK Fans Represent!
Do you have any other hobbies other than playing music? Collect stamps? Collect hats from off the side of the road? Draw pictures of peckers or boobs? Make sock puppets? Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Sit in the dark and eat Cheetos haha! I’m a video game freak, love WWE Wrestling, I re-watch episodes of King Of the Hill and I’m addicted to DDP Yoga..yup I said, ALL of that.
What do you think about the current music scene or lack of? Care to address that?
NORMAN MATTHEW: I don’t really pay attention to the scene, I’m too busy worrying about creating OUR scene and bringing something new to the table. Time for a new regime and a new legion to take over. I’ll either succeed or fail, but it will be on my terms and with my peeps \m/
Do you think reality shows like American Idol, X factor and The Voice have helped or hurt the music industry as a whole?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Both. Anything that can give an artist exposure and a chance to thrive in the business is always a plus to me on any level, i’m not a hater like that. I do feel it has hurt the mentality and the work ethic. Perception is reality and on the outside, it makes it seem like all you have to do is get on one of these shows, competition or in a battle of the bands and you are set. It takes years of work, blood, sweat equity and tears. You have to earn your way up the proverbial latter within the industry and network, while creating your brand, understanding your market and growing as an artist. Opportunity only pays off when an artist really has something to offer. Until then, keep driving in that van and jamming in the basement until you know in your heart it’s right. If your mind is connected to your heart and your soul, you will know.
What is your opinion of unauthorized music downloads?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Sucks. I love it as a consumer, but as a musician, it’s hard. It’s not about the money, but it’s about your favorite artist being able to survive as a musician and financially sustain yourself to keep creating. People seem to think if you are a “rockstar”, you are somehow rich. Spotify pays crap, Who knows what Apple Music will do and do some simple math of your own, split $0.99 between, band members, manager, label, distribution, marketing and you tell me who’s robbing who at the end of the day haha! If you are going to take music for free, at least support your favorite bands by going to the shows, buying the merch. and spreading the word like a disease, that’s the best way to help your favorite artists art.
I thank you in advance! \m/
Click the album cover to get it at Amazon!
Tell us something about each of your band members that we wouldn’t expect to hear.
NORMAN MATTHEW: I wish I could. We are all pretty chill dudes, no good drama and weird quirks. We like to create and maintain all our madness onstage…and believe me…it shows
Hypothetical situation. You’re on Gilligan’s island and you get to hook up with only one of the survivors… Which one and why?
NORMAN MATTHEW: That’s a loaded question, that could get me in trouble no matter how you slice it haha! If i HAD to pick, it would be either Gilligan for the laughs or Ginger for the…..laughs, yeah that’s it!
Do you know what a vinyl album is and have your ever purchased one? If so, what was it?
NORMAN MATTHEW: are you kidding me? i grew up on vinyl. My 1yr old loves to listen to KISS “Alive II” or Guns N Roses “Appetite For Destruction” before bed with me, not even kidding! Those are his lullabies.
You’re marooned on an island with Justin Bieber. Do you choke him out the first night in his sleep or what?
NORMAN MATTHEW: I’d keep him around just to torment him, If I killed him, then I would be bored. Hopefully he owns the island we are marooned on, then I’d live it up! I have the super power of tuning people out, so it’s easy for me to ignore things.
What is your opinion of Miley Cyrus?
NORMAN MATTHEW: who didn’t love “Achy Breaky Heart”? Oh wait, that’s her dad ha! I don’t ever pay attention to that celeb scene because it’s a waste of my day. It’s like, who cares and how does this effect me and my life? so im pretty out of touch with all that and always will be.
Which would you rather hear in concert? Lip syncing or real vocals?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Lead Singers being lead vocalists of course! I Love hearing a singer tell their story, even if it’s breathy or pitchy, it’s real. Additional vocals in live production on track are nothing to be scoffed at though, some huge productions have to do it and much like playing to a metronome or click track live, you have to be spot on, the whole time. So as long as there’s reality in the mix, i don’t mind a little fantasy to ensure the live show is amazing. People pay their hard earned money to see a great show. Deliver.
Who, or what, is the next big thing?
NORMAN MATTHEW: Murder FM. haha! I don’t know, it’s hard to tell, attention spans are so short these days and technology allows Anyone to put Anything out, there’s no natural filter anymore. Murder FM want to bring rock back to arenas \m
One artist you can’t get enough of and can’t live without is…
NORMAN MATTHEW: KISS
Confession time. Share a secret about yourself.
NORMAN MATTHEW: I’m terrified of karaoke. I don’t drink and i play an instrument, so you can see where i’m a terrible candidate for karaoke, i take it too serious haha!
Favorite movie of all time and why.
NORMAN MATTHEW: Nightmare Before Christmas. The imagery, the characters, the story, the combination of my two favorite holidays and without a doubt, the score by Dany Elfman. I absolutely love his work.
Our last question is called “Shout It Out Loud”. It’s were you get to talk about whatever you want to talk about. So go ahead and “SHOUT IT OUT LOUD”!
NORMAN MATTHEW: You know what grinds my gears? People looking down on Fake boobs, why do people frown upon them? i mean really, they aren’t fake. i can see them, touch them, they don’t disappear and make my Ocd very happy. hahahahaha! I’m sure that will get me in all kinds of trouble, but i don’t really think about many other things. Man, born and bred! “Sex,Sex and Rock N Roll”
Over 100 interviews here!
Categories: General Tags: arena rock, Dallas, drugs, guns n roses, kickacts, KISS, metal, motley crue, MUEN Magazine, murder FM, rock and roll, sex, TX, youtube
Paul Stanley’s book excerpts…
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Paul has been making the rounds promoting his up coming book “Face the Music”. But in reality, it seems that so far he is attempting to make everyone else he is associated with “face the music” and not him. He is either setting the record straight on what the other 3 original band members have said or Paul is attempting to throw them all under the bus so to speak. For a band that I literally worshiped growing up I am both disappointed and looking forward to the book warts and all.
chuck
Here are a couple…
“As a result, the two of them tried to sabotage the band — which, as they saw it, was unfairly manipulated by [us] money-grubbing Jews,”
Another website has Paul saying that Peter Criss Didn’t write “Beth”…
“Gene had been very, very vocal about not only dismissing the idea of marriage, but really have a very disrespectful and demeaning attitude towards people who did.” he said. “So for me, it really came down to you don’t belong at my wedding. It would taint it. It would do something, it would be contradictory, and for me, that would be offensive. He understood. Low and behold, he got married, too.”
Even though the Kiss front-man didn’t attend Paul’s wedding, it doesn’t seem to have affected their friendship. The friends even live close to each other. Paul explained, “Gene lives literally 2 minutes down the road. I always tell people that I can see his ego from here. We’ve never gotten along better.”
The book comes out today (April 8th 2014) You can get it at Amazon and other locations including Paul’s website…If you don’t want to buy the $18.00+ book. Go to Paul’s website and buy a busted autographed guitar for $5,500.00 or a used concert mic for $3,000.00! Talk about a marketing genius!!
Paul Stanley’s website
“Peter can’t write a song, because Peter doesn’t play an instrument,” Stanley told Rolling Stone. “Penridge came up with [sings], ‘Beth, I hear you calling…’ Peter had nothing to do with it. Because if you write one hit song, you should be able to write two. That’s the reality. Devastating? It’s the truth. It was a lifeline that Peter hung on to validate himself, but it wasn’t based on reality.”
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/peter-criss-and-paul-stanley-spar-over-beth-songwriting-credits/#aGpTdtaZGiBVAvC8.99
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/peter-criss-and-paul-stanley-spar-over-beth-songwriting-credits/#aGpTdtaZGiBVAvC8.99
“Peter can’t write a song, because Peter doesn’t play an instrument,” Stanley told Rolling Stone. “Penridge came up with [sings], ‘Beth, I hear you calling…’ Peter had nothing to do with it. Because if you write one hit song, you should be able to write two. That’s the reality. Devastating? It’s the truth. It was a lifeline that Peter hung on to validate himself, but it wasn’t based on reality.”
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/peter-criss-and-paul-stanley-spar-over-beth-songwriting-credits/#aGpTdtaZGiBVAvC8.99
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/peter-criss-and-paul-stanley-spar-over-beth-songwriting-credits/#aGpTdtaZGiBVAvC8.99
Categories: General Tags: amazon, band, barnes & nobles, book, glam, KISS, legend, paul stanley, rock and roll, tell all
Faster PussyCat’s bass player face plants!
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Oh the humanity! His band members didn’t even help him…Might be time for rehab? And what about Tamie??? Dude, back away from the fork 🙁 You look like a fat Andrew Dice Clay. Especially when you step back and hold that cigarette I am expecting to hear a nursery rhyme!
chuck
Categories: General Tags: bathroom wall, face plants, faster pussycat, headache, rock and roll, tamie downe, youtube
Hats off to Lemmy!
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If you love rock and roll and don’t know who Lemmy is…You really should take down your boy band posters and get a good dose of healthy “Motor Head” to get your head out of your butt.
As real rock fans know, Lemmy, The Grandfather of Rock has had a bout of serious health issues here lately but he had the metal balls and guts to go out and give it a go anyway! Here is a YouTube video of his band doing 30 minutes of a 75 minute set. 85,000 screaming people and over 100 degrees on stage… Granted he only did 6 songs but most of you “One Direction” boy band suckers will never be able to pull off something like this…Here’s to you getting better LEMMY!
Categories: General Tags: ace of spades, boy bands, kickacts, lemmy, metal, motorhead, one direction, rock and roll, Wacken Open Air 2013, youtube
My review of Peter Criss’s book “Makeup to Breakup: My Life In and Out of Kiss
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In a short sentence I would have to think Peter thought to himself and said “Everyone under the bus!”. Meaning he threw everyone under the bus. I think every bridge he could burn he burnt in this book. Is it a bad thing? I dunno, not my call or my friends that got tossed under the bus.
So far I have read all three books from the Kiss Klan that has released one. Seems to be a bit of dogging on each other in all the books but it seems Peter is the most honest and as far as I can tell, holds nothing back, including grudges.
But now it’s Paul’s turn to release one 🙂 I still think they should have released them all with the “solo” album covers!
I highly recommend this book. It’s definitely drugs,sex, drugs, sex, drugs, sex, and rock and roll.
Here are some of the Highlights according to Peter.
Tommy Thayer made $25,000 a night during the reunion tour and Peter was paid $10,000. (page 193)
It’s implied several times in the book that Paul Stanley bats for both teams if you know what I mean. (page 50 for one)
Gene Simmons has Herpes and had a serious outbreak and Doc Mcgee had to buy Shannon Tweed a big stone to help her get over it. (page 169)
Peter had a lot of orgies with Ace. Sweet sweet Connie and Ace both uh “sung into Peter’s mic” at the same time. (page 76)
About the only complaint I have about the book is it’s a little slow taking off and the photographs at the end are lame. Other than that it’s a must read for rock fans. It shows the unglamorous life of a rock star. From their humble beginnings to the top of the world and the fall back down and the eventual leveling out of everything if they live long enough.
chuck@kickacts.com
To order the book head here:
To order Ace Frehley’s book go here
To order Gene Simmon’s book go here.
Categories: General Tags: ace frehley, book, brooklyn, catman, drummer, gene simmons, KISS, peter criss, reunion, rock and roll, rock star, you wanted the best
