Risky teens after listening to rock n' roll

The popular UK tabloid The Daily Mail, read by about 6 million people online daily, have outdone themselves as they have taken a research report completely out of context in order to make groundless claims about the dangers of rock n’ roll music. The original research paper the tabloid cited itself was ruled unconvincing at best.

The tabloid likens the use of drugs, unprotected sex and all around immoral behavior of teens as a side effect of listening to rock music.

In the article titled “Is rock n’roll the ‘gateway drug’ that leads to drink, dope and risky sex?” the Daily Mail says: “The phrase ‘sex, drugs and rock and roll’ is part of pop culture – but it’s actually true. Youngsters who spend time listening to loud music area also at risk of drug abuse, heavy alcohol use and risky sex.

“In the report from the Netherlands, researchers found that teens and young adults who spent a lot of time listening to loud music were also more likely to smoke marijuana, binge drink and have sex without a condom.”

The tabloid based their claims on a paper by researchers at Erasmus MC University in Rotterdam who surveyed 944 people between the ages of 15 to 25 about their personal lifestyle and music listening habits. The study found that many of those surveyed who listened to rock music were also participating in drug use, unsafe sex and other risky behavior.

Although The Daily Mail insists that rock n’ roll is to blame, the research paper itself did not mention any explicit genre of music nor did they bother to ask participants for any specific type of music.

Critics of then research paper were quick to point out the obvious lack of proof that shows a direct cause and effect of listening to music and risky behavior, although the tabloid simply quoted Dr Sharon Levy of Boston Children’s Hospital, a substance abuse expert: “The study couldn’t show that one type of behaviour led to another, she pointed out.”

Comments on the tabloids website further shows that readers were just as skeptical of the claim as much as the critics with one reader posting: “I’m 32, and I’m a rock/metal fan, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do any drugs and I don’t engage in casual sex. The gateway drug you’re referring to here is the inability of most teenagers to resist peer pressure.”

Here are a few other comments from readers:

“In the 50s rock’n'roll was responsible for juvenile delinquency. Now its the villain again? Come on,  maybe kids just want to take a break from the lunacy and up-tightedness of our society.”

“I’ve listened to rock music for as long as i can remember. From Eddie Cochran to System of a Down. I dont drink, I dont smoke and I dont condone drug use. There are drunks, smokers and drug addicts in all forms of music genre. This is just another “Rock music is the work of devil” attack again.”

“It’s good to know that it’s not just UK Universities that is now populated by idiots doing pretend science for a living. Is the Charleston a gateway drug that leads to drink, dope and risky sex? Because stupid researchers in the 1920′s could have come to exactly the same conclusion. Correlation is not causality. If you don’t understand that fundamental principle you have no business ever setting foot in a university without a brush or mop in your hand.”

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Roth in a clip from his "Public Relations" video

Last week, Van Halen announced via their website of the cancellation of 31 dates from their current tour with no explanation for the decision.

Rumors spread of rampant infighting between the band as the likely scenario, although current singer “Diamond” David Lee Roth clarified through a video entitled "Public Relations" about the reasoning behind the abrupt change in their “A Different Kind of Truth” tour itinerary.

This is what Diamond Dave had to say:

"The band is getting along famously, better than we have in quite some time, and I think the shows reveal that through the miracle of YouTube. I think we're one of the few bands who relishes you bringing whatever camera — if you can carry it in and pull the trigger on it yourself, then please do. And through the eye of YouTube, you can see that we're having ourselves a hell of a time, and I think that translates into the music.

"As usual, we bit off way more than we can chew when it came to scheduling. The band is winning, but our schedule has been sidelined for unnecessary roughness. If we continue past July 4th and all the way into Australia and Japan, then we're asking for the robot zombie tour."

There you have it, no infighting, but rather good old fashioned exhaustion. You can check out the not-yet-cancelled dates of their current tour right here and the video "Public Relations" here.

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Dec 22, 1949 – May 20, 2012

Bee Gees singer and co-founder Robin Gibb passed away Sunday evening after a long battle with cancer. He was 62.

The legendary crooner, along with brothers Barry and Maurice Gibb, drastically shaped the disco era through their inventive use of funky beats and their now signature high falsetto harmonies on smash hits such as “Stayin’ Alive” and “Jive Talkin.”

Gibb had struggled towards the end of his life with both colon and liver cancer, falling into a coma in recent months. Although the singer would regain consciousness and even showed marked improvements in his health, he died at the London Clinic where he was surrounded by his second wife Dwina, daughter Melissa and sons Spencer and Robin-John.

Gibb’s official website stated: “The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Both fans and fellow celebrities paid their respects such as Canadian musician Bryan Adams who shared his feelings via Twitter.

“Robin Gibb RIP. Very sad to hear about yet another great singer dying too young,” wrote Adams, referring to the recent passing of famous disco icon, Donna Summer.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair shared his respects as well.

"He was a highly intelligent, interested and committed human being,” said Blair in a statement. "He was a great friend with a wonderful open and fertile mind and a student of history and politics. I will miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with Dwina and all the family."

A spokesman for the family has stated that funeral arrangements would be announced later this week.

Original Source

FL: Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen & son Wolfgang

Van Halen has just announced the cancellation of 31 tour dates off of their website amidst rumors of rampant infighting, although the site itself does not explain the reason.

The tour was scheduled to run through most of September featuring original frontman David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Eddie’s son on bass, Wolfgang Van Halen, to promote their new album A Different Kind of Truth.

Now the tour is only scheduled to run until June 26 in New Orleans.

Online rumors of the cause tend to focus on the band’s disconnect with each other as well as the lack luster ticket sales with audiences reporting rows of vacant seats at $160, although several venues – many of which were never informed of the cancelled dates – say that tickets have been selling well.

“They hate each other,” says a band insider cited by Rolling Stone. “The band is arguing like mad. They’re fighting.”

Audiences also let out their disappointment at what they call a lack of energy in the band’s show that does not represent the album, which has more or less been warmly received.

In a slight bit of good news among the disappointment, Van Halen News Desk states: “These dates have been postponed, not cancelled. Several shows on their 2007-2008 tour were postponed as well, and all were ultimately rescheduled.”

Here’s the list of the 13 shows currently left on their itinerary:

May 19: St. Paul, Minn., Xcel Energy Center

May 22: Kansas City, Mo., Sprint Center

May 24: Denver, Colo., Pepsi Center

May 27: Las Vegas, Nev., MGM Grand Garden Arena

June 1: Los Angeles, Calif., Staples Center

June 3: Oakland, Calif., Oracle Arena

June 5: San Jose, Calif., HP Pavilion

June 12: Anaheim, Calif, Honda Center

June 14: San Diego, Calif – Viejas Arena

June 16: Phoenix, Ariz., US Airways Center

June 20: Dallas, Texas, American Airlines Center

June 22: San Antonio, Texas, AT&T Center

June 24: Houston, Texas, Toyota Center

June 26: New Orleans, La., New Orleans Arena

And here are the cancelled dates:

July 7: Uncasville, Ct., Mohegan Sun Arena

July 9: Hampton, Va., Hampton Coliseum

July 11: Philadelphia, Pa., Wells Fargo Center

July 13: East Rutherford, N.J., Izod Center

July 15: Baltimore, Md., 1st Mariner Arena

July 17: Rochester N.Y., Blue Cross Arena

July 19: Detroit, Mich., Joe Louis Arena

July 21: London, Ontario, John Labatt Centre

July 24: Toledo, Ohio, Huntington Center

July 26: Grand Rapids, Mich., Van Andel Arena

July 28: Cleveland, Ohio, Quicken Loans Arena

July 31: Fort Wayne, Ind., Allen County Memorial Coliseum

August 2: Columbus, Ohio, Schottenstein Center

August 4: Knoxville, Tenn., Thompson-Boiling Arena

August 6: Memphis, Tenn., FedEx Forum

August 8: Birmingham, Ala., BJCC Arena

August 10: Greenville, S.C., BI-LO Center

August 12: Cincinnati, Ohio, US Bank Arena

August 21: Spokane, Wash., Spokane Arena

August 23: Portland, Ore., Rose Garden

August 25: Sacramento, Calif.,Power Balance Pavilion

August 28: Fresno, Calif., Save Mart Center

August 30: Reno, Nev., Reno Events Center

September 4: Salt Lake City, Utah — EnergySolutions Arena

September 8: Albuquerque, N.M., Tingley Coliseum

September 11: El Paso, Texas, Don Haskins Center

September 13: Austin, Texas, Frank Erwin Center

September 15: Oklahoma City, Okla., Chesapeake Energy Arena

September 17: Wichita, Kan. – Intrust Bank Arena

September 21: Moline, Ill., Iwireless Center

September 25: Milwaukee, Wis., Bradley Center

Original Source

Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward confirms he will not be taking part in the band’s recently announced reunion shows.

 An original member of the early heavy metal group, Ward insisted that his decision was not affected by financial reasons but from the lack of any “signable deal” with his former bandmates.

Ward expressed his discerning feelings with Black Sabbath over the “minimal” part the group had intended for him to contribute during their headlining slot at the upcoming Download festival – having an unnamed drummer play most of the set.

“In April I’d been asked to participate ‘minimally’ in the Download festival,” said Ward. “I believe I’d been offered no more than three songs, while another drummer played the rest of the show with Black Sabbath. I was not willing to participate. I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a Sabbath set while I was to play only three songs.”

Ward also states that the band had reached out to him to play at their Birmingham homecoming show for free. Although he will not be taking part of the band’s reunion, he adds that he is “heartbroken” at disappointing fans that will never be able to experience the original lineup.

Last year Black Sabbath announced plans for a new album – the first in over 30 years to feature the original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – as well as a supporting world tour.

“I couldn’t help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from – the failure to be brothers, as we once were,” added Ward.  

Original Source

File Photo: Cover for new album

Actor Jack Black and bandmate Kyle Gass are at it again and will be releasing a brand new Tenacious D album next Tuesday according to a recent interview with Reuters.

The new album, entitled Rize of the Fenix, will be the duo’s third studio release and the first in six years. Both Black and Gass were adamant about trying to bring back “the majesty and genius of rock” by trying to save what they see as a dying genre.

"Since we had our last album, rock and roll completely died,” said Black. “Thank God for The D, riding in on their white stallions to rescue rock and roll. What killed it? Was it Axl Rose in the library with a wrench, or was it Lady Gaga in the pantry with the pliers? We don't know but we'll figure it out.”

Although they admit that critics are hard pressed to take the group serious due to their heavy comedy background, they claim to be completely serious about their latest endeavor, even going as far as to ask fellow famous friends for help writing a hit song, such as Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl.

"I've always wanted to have one of those hits on the radio, but we haven't really been able to crack that code,” Gass told Reuters. “I think we're trying this time a lot.”

The group was formed by Gass and Black back in 1994 where the two would perform their own brand of “mock rock” at bars in the Los Angeles area and rose to fame on the heels of Black’s successful comedy movies.

Catch Tenacious D’s new album Rize of the Fenix when it hits stores Tuesday, May 15.

Original Source

Press File Photo: Mick Jagger, 2011

As part of Mick Jagger’s end season Saturday Night Live hosting gig, SNL has just confirmed that Arcade Fire and the Foo Fighters along with Jeff Beck and Jagger himself will jam for the legendary sketch comedy’s musical performance.

Rumors began to surface about the show’s season finale performance after word spread that the Rolling Stones were heard to have been practicing recently in New York, prompting several to assume that the host’s band would be on tap to make a surprise appearance as guest performers – that is until the show solidified the two bands along with Jeff Beck this past weekend.

Both the Arcade Fire and the Foo Fighters have been vocal on Twitter about their excitement towards the gig, with the latter writing “What're you guys doing next Saturday Night? #SNL" and Arcade Fire posting, "We're extremely excited to be joining Mick Jagger on SNL next Sat, May 19!"

Before the musical lineup was confirmed, SNL teased the season finale during this past Saturday’s show, listing Jagger along with three musical guests as performers.

Although Jagger had appeared on the show before, this will be the first time the Rolling Stones frontman will be on helm as the host.

The Jagger-hosted Saturday Night Live season finale is set to air this Saturday, May 19 on NBC.

Original Source

From Left: Adam Horovitz, Adam Yauch and Michael Diamond

In the aftermath of Adam Yauch’s death, several Beastie Boys albums have re entered the Billboard 200 chart including their seminal album, License to Ill, which broke into the top twenty this week. When the album was first released it became the first rap record to reach the top spot when it became the number one album in March of 1987, staying there for seven straight weeks.

Billboard also reports that 151,000 Beastie Boys songs have been sold through digital download this past week, up from 14,000 the previous week with the song “Brass Monkey” being the top seller, reaching number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

The other Beastie Boys albums to make the Hot 200 include Solid Gold Hits (#51), Paul’s Boutique (#56), Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (#107), Ill Communication (#109), Check Your Head (#124) and Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Silence (#141).

Yauch, also known by his Beastie Boys’ stage name MCA, died earlier this month on May 4 due to complications from a cancerous parotid gland.

Original Source

Against Me! lead singer Tom Gabel

Against Me! lead singer and rhythm guitarist Tom Gabel has announced his plans to make his transition from male to female, Rolling Stone magazine reports.

Gabel, 31, said in an interview with the magazine that he has long suffered from gender dysphoria — a condition characterized by a disconnection between someone’s assigned and perceived genders. The punk-rock singer said he will begin a series of treatments for the transition such as the administration of hormones and undergo electrolysis.

“I’m going to have embarrassing moments, and that won’t be fun,” said Gabel. “But that’s part of what talking to you is about — is hoping people will understand, and hoping they’ll be fairly kind.”

Before revealing the news to Rolling Stone, Gabel is said to have only told a “handful” of family members about the decision, including wife Heather Gable with whom the singer has a daughter with.

“She’s been super-amazing and understanding,” said Gabel of his wife, who intends to stay married to the singer.

Gabel is the highest profile musician to come out as transgender, although not the first as MTV.com notes that ‘70s electronic artist Walter Carlos and Life of Agony singer Keith Caputo (now known as Mina Caputo) have both revealed their gender dysphoria and subsequent transition.

Original Source

Public Domain: CBGB & OMFUG

Legendary New York punk-rock club CBGB’s may be reborn in a brand new location and will center on newer music according to a club spokesman.

A new batch of investors is currently making plans to reopen the historic downtown Manhattan venue which was permanently shut down in 2006 due to rent disputes with the property owner. Their spokesman was clear to point out that rather than bringing back the past, the new CBGB’s will focus on new music, albeit in the same spirit that made the venue the launching pads for numerous punk-rock/new wave bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s such as The Ramones, Blondie and The Talking Heads.

"They are hoping to open a new venue focused on new music," the spokesman said. "They are not trying to recreate the past but hope to open a space in the spirit of CBGB."

In celebration of the momentous event, the group is set to deliver the first CBGB music festival which will feature over 300 indie bands at several clubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn in addition to panel discussions and film screenings. The festival is set to take place over four days from July 5-8.

"It's a relief to know that it's not going to die," Lisa Kristal Burgman, daughter of the late CBGB’c founder Hilly Kristal, told the New York Times."It's going to be reborn."

Original Source

Outkast Rapper Andre 3000

A brand new movie based on the life of famed rocker Jimi Hendrix will begin shooting in Ireland this May with Outkast rapper Andre 3000 set as the lead role.

Irish Film & Television Network reports that the movie will document the life of the departed guitarist from his move to England in 1966 to his rise to fame in 1967. The report also states that the new film will be called All is By My Side.

The biopic will feature Jimi’s time in New York where he is discovered at a local club by Keith Richard’s girlfriend Linda Keith, his early drama with manager Chas Chandler as well as the period during the recording of his first album, Are You Experienced.

The film is set to be directed by John Ridley of Three Kings and U-Turn fame and is currently in pre-production in County Wicklow. The principal photography is set to begin in Dublin towards the end of May and shooting is scheduled to take place in six weeks.

Andre “3000” Benjamin is no stranger to acting as the multi-platinum rapper has previously starred in films such as Four Brothers co-starring Mark Wahlberg, the Guy Ritchie directed Revolver as well as a recurring role in the television drama series The Shield.

Original Source

Courtesy of WhoCares Official; From Left: Iommi, Gillian   

Two of rock’s heavy hitters will once again team up to release an album featuring several rarities and new songs.

Last year, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillian joined forces for the program “WhoCares,” releasing two songs in order to help raise funds to rebuild a music school in Armenia. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, a new complete "WhoCares" album is set for a June 22 release date.

The new album will feature the pair of songs released last year as well as rare tracks from both Iommi and Gillian. Other songs in the mix include an unreleased track from Gillian’s band Repo Depo, a Deep Purple studio jam, a couple of unreleased songs from Iommi and Gillian as well as b-sides and radio performances.

“As I said once in the song ‘Razzle Dazzle’ – it’s a real fine line between an orgy of destruction and a wonderful time,’” said Gillan. “The destruction of conformity in this case: Some of these pieces never really fit into their contemporary program and got sidelined or forgotten, and some of the album tracks never had much exposure. As the tracklisting for this album came together I noticed many of the titles had character similarities; a combination of freshness as they finally felt the sun on their backs and rebellion in a ‘yeah told you so’ kind of way. And that adds up to a wonderful time. And that adds up to more money for the music school we are building in Armenia.”

Original Source