AFI Bassist Teases Band’s Return

The last time we wrote anything about AFI, it was back in 2014 when it was announced that the California band would be acting as the opening act for 30 Seconds to Mars/Linkin Park’s Carnivores Tour. A year or so later, we haven’t heard anything new from the four-piece, but it sounds like things might change in the new year. In a post on his website, bassist Hunter Burgan has written a letter to fans thanking them for their support for this comic, Cat with Matches.

At the end of the letter, which can be read below or found here, Burgan teased a little something about the status of AFI. “I know that many of you want to know what’s up with AFI. I can’t tell you much at the moment, but we have plans for 2016. Circle that year on your calendars.” Now if that wasn’t a tease to get excited about, then you have no soul. Read Buragn’s complete letter below.

“I hope everyone is having a wonderful December so far. ‘Tis the season for giving, and we here at hunterburgan.com (in other words, me) have kicked the season off by giving a sealed copy of AFI’s Sing The Sorrow double LP on red vinyl to one lucky winner, Kristen Reynolds of San Antonio, Texas. Congrats, Kristen! Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. Better luck next time!

I have been getting a lot of great feedback on my Cat With Matches comic. Thanks! I’m glad you like it. I really enjoy drawing that cat and all his misadventures. As you may know, I printed up Cat With Matches t-shirts and stickers and have them available in the store. If there are other types of CWM items you’d like to see, let me know in the comments here or on any form of social media.

I know that many of you want to know what’s up with AFI. I can’t tell you much at the moment, but we have plans for 2016. Circle that year on your calendars.”

AFI’s last album was 2013’s Burials. Since then, frontman Davey Havok and bassist Jade Puget had created another side project, XTRMST. The group released their debut album back in late 2014.

Cobra Starship Frontman Confirms End of Band

After (almost) a decade of being a band, electro-pop act Cobra Starship have officially announced they have broken up. On Tuesday (Nov. 10), a post on the band’s Twitter and Facebook page, confirmed the saddening news that the “Snakes on a Plane” group was disbanding. In a long post written on the band’s website, frontman Gabe Saporta reveals that he had made “the difficult decision to close the book on Cobra Starship.”

Instead of continuing on with the band and putting out mediocre music, the singer writes “I know that sometimes when things go on for too long, that magic can start to fade … And as hard as it is for all of us, I would rather close this chapter of our lives and be able to look back on it fondly than allow something that means so much to us stagnate.”

In an interview with Billboard that coincided with the announcement, Saporta explains his next project as well as if there is any possibilities of a farewell tour or if never-before-heard music might be released in the future. “I’m not opposed to doing farewell shows,” begins Saporta. “For me right now, we don’t want to release anything that we just had, and have it be half-assed… For me it’s like, do it one hundred percent, or don’t do it.”

But while Cobra Starship is no more, the former frontman explains that his future will feature a music-oriented business. Instead of being in front of the crowds like he was with Cobra and his former band Midtown, he will be helping the musicians on the backend. As uncovered in the interview, Saporta explained how a contract dispute featuring Midtown led him to managing other bands “in the scene” during that time.

“In the early days of Midtown, we got into a really bad contract dispute and couldn’t release anything. So I was just like, I’m going to manage bands and learn from the inside,” explains Saporta. “I managed this band [now-defunct] Armor For Sleep. When Midtown got out of its contract, I met Crush [Management], which was the management for Cobra and at the end of Midtown, too. The reason we went with Crush was because they took my assistant and they took Armor For Sleep. I couldn’t do [Cobra Starship and management] at once, but I still loved the business.”

For more on the interview with Saporta, head on over to Billboard’s website and for the complete, lengthy letter from Saporta on behalf of the rest of Cobra Starship, head on over here.

Cobra Starship’s last studio album was 2011’s Night Shades while their last new song was their joint track with Icona Pop, 2014’s “Never Been in Love.”

Green Day Thank Fans After Hall of Fame Induction

Fresh off of a busy week, Green Day have taken to the internet to thank their fans for allowing the opportunity to be able to do it all.

This past weekend saw the California-based band being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Lou Reed, and Ringo Starr.

In a post on Instagram, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong wrote a short letter on behalf of the trio to their “Idiot Nation” who have supported the band through all of their highs and lows as well as almost 20 years of being called sell outs.

Armstrong writes that the Hall of Fame award is a lot more than just an award, it’s what allows the band to do what they love most which is to “play music, write songs and follow this psychotic passion called rock n roll” and it’s all thanks to those who stood behind them.

Read Armstrong’s complete post below.

View this post on Instagram

dear you I can't express enough how much love is in my heart for all of you in our green day community. for me to try to put it into words almost feels awkward. sometimes I don't always like to use the word "fan". I think I can speak on behalf of me mike and Tre when I call you family or community. Because you all truly grew up together with us and shared this journey together. this is more than an award. it's the privilege to play music, write songs and follow this psychotic passion called rock n roll. and We share this honor together. because honestly YOU ARE our rock n roll hall of fame. idiot nation forever rage and love Billie Joe

A post shared by Billie Joe Armstrong (@billiejoearmstrong) on Apr 20, 2015 at 5:49pm PDT

And if you haven’t seen it yet, there’s a video making its rounds on the internet today of teenage Green Day performing at their high school; four years before they were known worldwide.

Kind of cool, right? Enjoy.

Jack White Addresses the Tour Rider Fiasco with Open Letter

Last week, student reporters at the University of Oklahoma thought it would be a funny idea to leak Jack White’s tour rider before the musician was slated to perform at the campus. What came from that, we’re sure no one expected.

Music and entertainment publications began to write about White’s “demands” which included a specific guacamole recipe and a “no banana policy” backstage making it seem like the former White Stripes frontman was just like many artists; a diva.

Now, a week after the rider was leaked, the singer has spoken out about the incident even calling out those publications for using click bait rather than actual facts and how the guacamole recipe is an inside joke with his tour manager and as for that no banana policy, it’s because someone on his crew is allergic to the yellow fruit.

Read the lengthy, grammatically incorrect post (pointed out by White himself) below where he also (kind of) forgives the student reporters who jump started the insanity.

“dear journalists and other people looking for drama or a diva,

even in the age of the short attention span internet article, it’s still hard to believe you are STILL writing about this:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/02/15/386409331/for-musician-jack-white-any-old-guacamole-just-wont-do

wow. classy.

seems like there’s a new rule number one for up and coming journalists: don’t let the facts get in the way of click bait. at the risk of incurring even more of this hoo haa (and i’ve definitely turned my cheek more than once lately) and even though our management sent out a letter to clarify this, and since this seems to be all anyone can ask me about lately, here’s the real deal, and hopefully it’ll explain this nonsensical scenario and we can move on with our lives. (or what have you).

first off, this is none of your business, but i have no specific demands in my dressing room. i know i could ask for lots of things but i actually don’t ask for ANYTHING. i take with me what i need, and that ain’t much. anything on the rider is for the band and the crew. this “guacamole recipe” is my hilarious tour managers inside joke with the local promoters, it’s his recipe, not mine. it’s just something to break up the boredom, seeing who can make it best. though i wouldn’t know because i’ve never had it. i can’t even make kool aid let alone cook any real food enough to have a “recipe.” sorry, i don’t have that talent.

bananas: did it occur to anyone someone on the tour might have an allergy to them? no? hmmm. one day some fantasy journalist out there will call someone in the biz and actually have a rider explained to them, maybe none of them have ever been on tour. oh well, let’s move on, first amendment issues: i fully believe in the freedom of the press (though the supposed search for truth from the press requires microscopes and a some morton salt), and i also defend anyone’s right to free speech (just look at my lack of respect for grammar in this letter and tell me i’m not for communicating freely) and i defend the right to free information in regards to public funds, but never in my 20 years of playing shows has my contract and tour rider been published in the paper that i recall.

do you know why we don’t do that or want that? a hundred articles about bananas, free speech, and guacamole is why; it’s because people don’t understand what a rider is or what the terms of a contract are. they’re out of their element, and you can’t blame them for it. and people who write about that know this. people WANT a rider to be a list of demands that a diva insists occur lest he or she refuse to play a note of music.

but in reality, it’s just some food and drinks backstage for the hundred workers and guests who have to live in a concrete bunker for 15 hours. some people bring their own living rooms on tour, some people ask for a huge spread. who cares? what you’re looking for is someone throwing a tantrum because they didn’t get their brown m and m’s, sorry to disappoint.

someone printed that i’m never going to oklahoma again? not true. i love oklahoma, that’s why i booked this show instead of playing chicago or atlanta for four times as much money. ask around in tulsa. i’ve been there at least three times on these last two albums. i love it there. our booking agent warned the college that other artists might not book shows there? of course they did, it’s bad business what that school paper did and really rude. of course they are going to tell them to wise up.

am i pissed at the students at oklahoma university? absolutely not. am i disappointed in young journalists at their school paper? absolutely. but i forgive them, they’re young and have learned their lesson about truth and ethics hopefully. all they have to do is google this to know that it’s not worth it. look for real problems instead next time. look for the truth, not fake drama. i got pissed during my show and berated the crowd? no. sorry, didn’t happen. i made jokes about the paper publishing that info, so which of us is thin skinned? they have freedom of speech but i don’t? at my show? ok. i guess the rules change for different people. the crowd were amazing and we played for 2 and a half hours that night. people were told to delete photos on their camera? i dont know much about that but it must be a miscommunication about what was public property at the college and the contract we had with the university to let us do our work in peace; but i’ll give you an example, if someone working at a theater we played at started taking pictures of all of our workers and our gear they’d probably get fired by their theater or promoter. sorry to the student paper budding press papparazzi on that one, but is this a tmz assignment or can you give us some peace while we try to put on a show for the students? give us a break man.

i know it’s a fun thing for people to try to turn me into a jerk and a diva, but in this case it’s pretty ridiculous and has almost nothing to do with me. my relationship with the fans at that show and how we got to a new place together through music remains intact and i’d love to do it again with them.

i think that’s everything, can i go back to making music now? no? ok. crochet it is.

jack white”

Garbage Frontwoman Calls Out Kanye West’s Grammy “Disrespect”

Kanye West’s attempt to re-do his “Imma let you finish” from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards was at first believed to be a joke, but the rapper soon made people realize that he doesn’t have a single funny bone in his body and did it just to spite the true winner of “Album of the Year.” Because, you know, if Kanye doesn’t like it, everyone else doesn’t like it either.

Do we need anymore proof that he’s “America’s Biggest Douchebag”?

For the most part, the vast majority of people have taken a stance against West and his immature antics, but artists and musicians a like have been rather mum about the attack on artistry and the fact that a man who plays a lot of instruments, sings, and writes his own music is not an artist (as opposed to a guy who just press play and auto-tunes everything).

One musician who definitely went on the defensive, not allowing people to just claim “it’s Kanye just being Kanye,” is Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson.

Manson, who with her group have earned seven Grammy nominations, took to Facebook to publish and open letter directed at West and his lack of a conscience and ego the size of the planet.

“Dear Kanye West,

It is YOU who is so busy disrespecting artistry. You disrespect your own remarkable talents and most importantly you disrespect the talent, hard work and tenacity of all artists when you go so rudely and savagely after such an accomplished and humble artist like BECK.

You make yourself look small and petty and spoilt.

In attempting to reduce the importance of one great talent over another, you make a mockery of all musicians and music from every genre, including your own.

Grow up and stop throwing your toys around. You are making yourself look like a complete twat.

PS I’m pretty certain Beyoncé doesn’t need you fighting any battles on her account. Seems like she’s got everything covered perfectly well on her own.”

And we agree.

Spinnerette Vocalist Speaks Out Against Accused “Girl/Body Shaming”

Feminism has become the buzzword of 2014 with many women and some men alike trying to explain to a close-minded world what the real meaning behind feminism. And no, it’s not a bunch of women proclaiming that men are scum and useless.

From Beyoncé’s performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards to Emma Watson and her new campaign for equality for all, #HeForShe, it’s all about getting equality no matter your sex.

But, no matter how hard you try to educate people on the meaning of the word or to try to teach others not to “slut-shame” or talk negative about each other (“girl-bashing”), there will always be one person who will try to accuse those doing the teaching of being hypocrites.

Brody Dalle formerly of the Distillers and Spinnerette had to put someone in their place after they accused the singer of “slut-shaming” Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea for tweets she wrote about her impression of the duo’s music video for “Booty.”

On Twitter, Dalle simply wrote the following about the “booty-centric” music video by the two Top 20 radio staples.

I think JLo and iggy azalea have lost their heads up each other's big butts

— Brody Dalle (@BrodyDalle) September 22, 2014

I'm trying to understand what the point of their horrendous video is but I can't find one

— Brody Dalle (@BrodyDalle) September 22, 2014

I'm trying to understand what the point of their horrendous video is but I can't find one

— Brody Dalle (@BrodyDalle) September 22, 2014

Of course, not everyone agreed withDalle’s observation on the music video and accused her of “girl-bashing” and “slut-shaming.”

Instead of letting it slide, Dalle responded to the Twitter user by publishing a lengthy response asking the user “How are the lyrics ‘Give him what he asks for’ empowering to women? How? How is spreading your bottom apart and singing ‘Give him what he asks for’ empowering at all?'”

Read the full essay here and believe us, it’s lengthy, but well worth it.

“From : Kayla @KaylaElaine87
@BrodyDalle well done. Your rants have inspired lots of girl hate and slut and body shaming.

@BrodyDalle plus don’t you love Wendy O? Why is it ok for her to objectify herself but not the others? PS I love you, I just think yur wrong

Dear Kayla,

Slut shaming? Body shaming? Girl hating? Please don’t assign incorrect motives to my tweets. It is you who is implying they are “sluts”, not me. The definition for slut is “a woman who has many casual partners”. Since when did being scantily clad come to mean having many casual partners?

I don’t like the word slut, I don’t use the word slut, that word is not in my vernacular. If a woman has many casual partners, it is none of my business. I have absolutely no problem with what women do with their bodies in their private lives. Women should feel free as men do to sleep with whomever they want to as long as it’s consensual and with out being labeled a slut. That would be equality. (A girl can dream).The trendy term “slut shaming” is inadvertently calling scantily dressed women “sluts”. We should all stop using it.

My problem with this song and the video is the conflicting message it’s sending to our impressionable young girls and boys.

How are the lyrics “give him what he asks for “ empowering to women? How? How is spreading your bottom apart and singing “give him what he asks for ” empowering at all?

JLo and Iggy may feel empowered by their bodies and that’s fine, their bodies ARE powerful, beautiful and life giving. But they are so much more than just their bodies. They may feel that using their bodies is the only currency they have in order to stay popular and on the top. It has become a contest of who gets the most hits on youtube and vevo and who can take it the furthest, not about the quality of their songs and the messages they are sending. And why? To make lots of money and to line the pockets of the big machines, regardless of who that affects.

I want my daughter to grow up knowing that she is more than just the sum of her “body parts”. I want her to feel valued for her brains before her body.

I want my son to grow up respecting women on all levels. Especially their brains, opinions and ideas. I don’t want my son to see women as walking butts and tits, but to see women as equal humans.

This is a conflicting and confusing time in culture. I think about these things a lot. I worry for future generations about where we are headed as a society. There is so much to discuss and talk about and I invite the conversation because it is an important one.

There are many cans to be opened and not everyone likes worms. We have yet to define the parameters and boundaries and it’s hard to do so but we should all feel free to speak up with out feeling like we are going to be attacked, condemned, called crazy, told we are slut shaming, body shaming or girl hating for our opinions.

This notion that I can’t have an opinion or disagree with what someone is doing or saying is ludicrous. Especially when I feel it could impact women, men and children in a negative way. I am far from perfect and I have made many mistakes trying to find my way – but I will continue to stand up for what I believe in and to make this world a better place for all children, women and men.

And Kayla, if you want to twerk your life away naked on a website, feel free, it’s your life. But just know I might think you could do so much more……and that’s okay, right ?

Sincerely,
Brody Dalle

p.s – Wendy O was destroying female stereotypes in a time when it really fucking mattered, when it was probably scary for her to do so. She was brave, strong and unapologetic. I respect her very much.”

Sum 41 Frontman Admitted into Hospital for Kidney and Liver Failure

In what has come as surprising news to fans and casual listeners of Sum 41, frontman Deryck Whibley has released an open letter revealing that he was admitted to the hospital to deal with some serious health concerns. In the letter, he reveals that he was admitted into the hospital over a month ago to get treatment for both kidney and liver failure after collapsing in his home and being sedated at the hospital for a week. 

By his own account, Whibley had admitted that years of serious alcohol abuse had led to the situation that he is currently in; laid up in a hospital with serious health conditions. He also reveals that he understand that after the bad has passed, he would never be able to drink again. The only upside, he says? The fact that his musical muse had finally returned and that he is currently writing music. 

You can read his letter (and see a picture straight from the hospital) below and just remember guys, drink with responsibly. It might sound like a clichéd, alcohol commercial disclaimer, but no one wants to one day be admitted into the hospital with such serious health problems at such a young age. 

“hey everyone, it’s deryck here. sorry i’ve been so m.i.a. lately, but i’ve been very sick in the hospital for a month and was pretty sick for a few weeks leading up to my trip to the hospital. the reason i got so sick is from all the hard boozing i’ve been doing over the years. it finally caught up to me. i was drinking hard every day. until one night. i was sitting at home, poured myself another drink around mid night and was about to watch a movie when all of a sudden i didn’t feel so good.

i then collapsed to the ground unconscious. my fiancé got me rushed to the hospital where they put me into the intensive care unit. i was stuck with needles and i.v.’s all over. i was completely sedated the FIRST WEEK. when i finally woke up the next day i had no idea where i was. my mum and step dad were standing over me. i was so freaked out. my liver and kidney’s collapsed on me. needless to say it scared me straight. i finally realized i can’t drink anymore. if i have one drink the doc’s say i will die. i’m not preaching or anything but just always drink responsibly. i didn’t, and look where that got me. (i never thought i would ever say that! haha) anyway i have my passion and inspiration back for writing music. i already have a few song ideas for new songs. soon it will be time to start making an album and getting back to touring again. see you all sometime! there will be more posts again so say up to date friends.

DERYCK WHIBLEY”

Kurt Cobain Biographer Claims Courtney Love Wrote Wallet Letter

Last week, the Seattle Police Department made the full letter that was found in Kurt Cobain’s wallet following his death public. Up until that point, only a partial piece of the letter had been released, but following the new information, almost everyone is starting to wonder if the note had actually been written by the late Nirvana frontman.

The letter, according to Kurt Cobain biographer, Charles R. Cross, was actually written by the frontman’s wife, Courtney Love. Since his death, there has been a lot of speculation and crazy conspiracies that Love had been the one to kill Cobain; not a suicide like it was ruled.

The full letter seems to poke fun at their marriage which included more downs than up with the exception of the couple’s only daughter, Frances Bean. Many shook off the letter as the couple’s dark sense of humor, but according to The Guardian, Cross had confirmed that the letter was penned by Love.

According to Cross, Love herself, emailed him, admitting that she had been the one to write the quickly jotted down statement. Cross’ biography about the late rocker, Heavier Than Heaven was released back in 2001. Love was recently seen with former Nirvana members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic when the iconic grunge band was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month.

Britney Spears Unveils Album Art and Letter to Fans

Britney Spears is definitely letting fans know how much they mean to her and how personal her upcoming album, Britney Jean, means to her.

Today, the pop star unveiled the cover art for her new album which can be seen above as well as a handwritten letter thank her fans for sticking with her throughout all her career. The letter was posted on her officially website, but the actual message can be read here:

Dear Fans,

I haven’t sat down to write you guys in SUCH a long time.  Long overdue!  We’re all so used to getting our thoughts out in 140 characters, but sometimes its nice to take time to sit down and write something a little longer and more personal.  I am putting the finishing touches on my new album, “Britney Jean” over the next few days and I am so excited for you to hear it.  I poured my heart and soul into this album and it’s been an incredible journey.  I’ve learned a lot about myself, and as I am finishing, I am reminded of the incredible foundation that has supported me for the last 15 years.  Thank you all for continuing to follow me on this journey and for allowing me to do what I love to do.  I can’t believe this is my eighth studio album and I know I keep telling you that it is my most personal record yet, but its true and I’m really proud of that. 

I have been through a lot in the past few years and it has really inspired me to dig deeper and write songs that I think everyone can relate to.  Working with people like Sia, William Orbit, and of course Will.i.am has been an amazing experience.  They have listened to all of my ideas and helped me bring them to life.  There are a lot of really fun, upbeat dance songs, but it was important to me that I show my strength, and my attitude, and my vulnerability.  Of course, I also have some surprises for you guys 😉

I want to show you the different sides of Britney Spears.  I am a performer.  I am a Mom.  I am funny.  I am your friend!  I am Britney Jean. 

Hope you love my labor of love!

Love Always,
Britney”

Britney Jean is scheduled to be released on December 3, just in time for fans to learn the new songs before checking out her residency at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood for the next two years.

Sleeping with Sirens’ Guitarist Leaves Band

While Sleeping with Sirens’ frontman Kellin Quinn was in the midst of a Twitter fight with Oli Sykes from Bring Me the Horizon, it looks like guitarist Jesse Lawson had decided to leave the band.

The reason behind his departure is that he would like to spend more time with his family as well as work on some solo stuff during that time. For those not familiar, Quinn does write the lyrics for the songs, but Lawson is the one behind the music.

Lawson took to the band’s Twitter to reveal the news to fans. The message on the official Sleeping with Sirens account simply read, “From @jessesws instagram.com/p/fjBLlLEz38/.” 

The link for those who clicked would lead them to the band’s official Instagram page where a letter was written in black with a simple white feather in the background; the cover art for their recently released album.

The letter on the social media site explained Lawson’s sudden departure from the band.

“Dear fans,

The band and I have decided to part ways. There are no hard feelings and no hate behind it. It’s time for me to focus on family and my next musical venture. The time spent with them has been a hell of a ride and one i’ll never forget. I love and cherish them all as brothers and hope for the very best as they continue on. Than you for your support.

Much love,
Jesse Lawson”

As of now, there has been no comments on the matter from the remaining members of the band. Some fans are starting to wonder if they might go the route of an indefinite hiatus, but nothing is concrete and currently just speculation. In the meantime, they have asked Nick Martin, formerly of D.R.U.G.S. to fill in the void that Lawson has left.