All Request Rock Radio - Mega Rock Radio

Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted an interview with bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DAVID LEE ROTH, DIO DISCIPLES, HAIL!) at a massive gathering on December 14 at the Key Club in Hollywood, California to help celebrate the life and music of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) as part of this year's Dimebash. You can now watch the chat below.

All proceeds from the concert went to Wendy Dio's charity Stand Up And Shout, which raises money for cancer research; her husband died of stomach cancer in May 2010.

The Key Club in Hollywood was scheduled to play host to all-star jams featuring the following musicians:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, DIO DISCIPLES)
* Geezer Butler (BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL)
* Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS)
* David Draiman (DISTURBED)
* Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES)
* Serj Tankian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN)
* Mike Muir (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES)
* Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW)
* John 5 (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON)
* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)
* Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD)
* Ben Harper
* Chris Howorth (IN THIS MOMENT)
* Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)
* Doug Pinnick (KING'S X)
* James Lomenzo (WHITE LION, MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)
* Ginger Fish (ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON)
* Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE)
* Gene Hoglan (FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD)
* Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING)
* Robin McAuley (MSG, SURVIVOR)
* Nick Bowcott (GRIM REAPER)
* Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON)

The whole shebang was emceed by "That Metal Show"'s Eddie Trunk and his co-horts, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. In addition, kicking off the event was KILL DEVIL HILL, the band featuring Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO) on drums, Rex Brown (DOWN, PANTERA) on bass, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals. Also on deck was DIO DISCIPLES — the new project featuring former DIO members Simon Wright (drums), Craig Goldy (guitar), Scott Warren (keyboards) and Rudy Sarzo alongside singers Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) and Toby Jepson (LITTLE ANGELS, GUN) — with a special appearance by Glenn Hughes (BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION).

100% of proceeds from the event will benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up & Shout Cancer Fund. Additionally, attendees will be able to land some limited-edition merchandise and purchase Monster Energy cocktail drink specials with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the cause as well.

Fan-filmed video footage of Vinnie Paul Abbott (HELLYEAH, PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) and Chip Z'Nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) performing a cover version of THE KINKS classic "You Really Got Me" (as recorded by VAN HALEN) with Los Angeles glam metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER on February 10 at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen below.

STEEL PANTHER's sophomore album, "Balls Out", sold nearly 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 40 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on November 1 via Universal Republic Records, the follow-up to 2009's "Feel The Steel" contains 14 soon-to-be classics such as "Just Like Tiger Woods", "Gold Digging Whore" and "Weenie Ride". The album also features cameos by Dane Cook on the album opener "In The Future" and NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger and EXTREME axeman Nuno Bettencourt show up on an instant classic "It Won't Suck Itself". "Balls Out" was produced by Grammy-nominated producer/mixer Jay Ruston who produced the band's "Feel The Steel" debut and is known for his work with ANTHRAX, MEAT LOAF, THE DONNAS and MORRISSEY, to name a few.

STEEL PANTHER is Michael Starr (vocals), Satchel (guitar), Lexxi Foxx (bass) and Stix Zadinia (drums).

Earlier this month, Musician Photo Journal conducted an interview with HELLYEAH members Vinnie Paul Abbott (drums; ex-PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) and Tom Maxwell (guitar; ex-NOTHINGFACE). You can now watch the chat below.

In addition to Vinnie and Tom, HELLYEAH features in its ranks Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett (MUDVAYNE), and Bob "Zilla" Kakaha (DAMAGEPLAN) —

HELLYEAH's third album, "Band Of Brothers", will be released on July 17 via the band's new label home, Eleven Seven Music). The CD was recorded in Dallas, Texas at Vinnie Paul's home studio, VP's Upstairs Studio, and was produced by the band and Jeremy Parker (GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE), who also served as engineer.

HELLYEAH earlier in the month released the "War In Me" digital single via iTunes.

Having produced track after track of heavy-hitting, in-your-face, feel-good rock and roll on their previous two albums (2010's "Stampede" and 2007's self-titled debut), HELLYEAH takes a slightly different musical direction on "Band Of Brothers". Drawing on their former bands' collective metal roots for inspiration, the influences and style of MUDVAYNE, PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN and NOTHINGFACE are immediately recognizable in tracks such as "Band Of Brothers", "War In Me" and "Rage Burn", while the party anthem "Drink, Drank, Drunk" retains the essence of earlier HELLYEAH.

Commented HELLYEAH singer Chad Gray, "I'm really excited about what we've done on this new album. I've always separated MUDVAYNE and HELLYEAH as much as I could, even though it was my voice. Melodies, lyrics and just the overall style of writing were different. With 'Band Of Brothers', I just quit being afraid of who I am in relation to this band. I think we've all really gotten back to the original roots of what we've done individually and brought it together on this album. As an artist, as long as you're painting with your own brush, no one can compare or challenge you. I just painted with a bigger, heavier brush than I had with HELLYEAH in the past. I think this is what fans have always expected to hear from us, and now were giving it to them."

Added Jeremy Parker, "It's impossible not to have a good time jamming this record. It has the anger and violence of PANTERA and MUDVAYNE, but a party vibe that can only be HELLYEAH!"

In a recent interview with Loudwire, Vinnie stated about "Band Of Brothers", "On our first two records, we were a new band. We really wanted to branch out and expand and experiment with all different styles. We all come from traditional metal bands and backgrounds, so it was a great breath of fresh air to play in a band that was rock 'n' roll, blues and Southern rock. We got that out of our system and got really focused on going back to our metal roots. It's heavy, focused, groove-oriented and I'm excited about it."

Former PANTERA and current HELLYEAH drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott will stop by ESPN tomorrow (Tuesday, November 29) at 3:00 p.m. ET to take your questions about Alice In Chains & Friends Fantasy Football Charity League, which features some of rock music's biggest stars, his music career and just about anything else you may want to ask.

Each member of the charity league has put up a valuable piece of memorabilia to be auctioned off with the money going toward the league champion's charity of choice. Paul is playing for Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring music education in disadvantaged public schools.

Submit your questions for Vinnie Paul now at this location.

As previously reported, HELLYEAH has tapped Jeremy Parker (GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE) to mix the band's third album for an early 2012 release. The CD was recorded at Abbott's home in Arlington, Texas, where he has a studio set up.

Members of BLACK SABBATH, DISTURBED, ALICE IN CHAINS, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and MACHINE HEAD gathered this past Wednesday night (December 14) at the Key Club in Hollywood, California to help celebrate the life and music of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) as part of this year's Dimebash.

Two musicians that were conspicuously absent from this year's event were former PANTERA members Philip Anselmo and Vinnie Paul Abbott.

Anselmo was originally supposed to appear at last year's Dimebash but pulled out at the last minute after coming down with pneumonia.

When asked about Anselmo's non-appearance at this year's concert, Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney — who organized the event — told Artisan News (see video below), "I think if we would have kept it on our original date, on [December 8], he would have been able to make it. Because Pepper [Keenan, Anselmo's DOWN bandmate] had obligations — they're doing a new DOWN record — and [Pepper] had obligations with [his participation in] the METALLICA [week-long 30th-anniversary celebrations in San Francisco]. So they were scheduled off through that time. But then when we had to move things, it's like, [Philip's] schedule, and doing… you know him — five projects at once… He sent the most apologetic letter; it was really, really cool, because it's the Philip I know. But he goes, 'Please don't count me out next year.' And like I said… I go, 'Hey, well, it could be three things. It could go either way. It could be, 'Third time's a charm,' or it could be 'Strike three, you're out.' So we'll see."

Haney recently called on Vinnie Paul Abbott and Anselmo to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag, who was shot and killed by a crazed gunman while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at a Columbus, Ohio rock club in December 2004.

Vinnie, who is Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo have not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie indirectly blamed Philip for Dimebag's death, suggesting that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.

Haney spoke out about the long-running feud earlier in the year, saying, "Everybody still has resentment towards each other about things in the past. It's easy to direct your anger at the wrong people. Philip didn't murder Darrell and [he] would never have wanted that."

Haney added, "Yeah, I resent Philip for becoming a jackass and a drug addict, and I'm a little sketchy about trusting him all the way yet. But some of the things he's emailed and some of the thing he's said — that's the Philip I know, the 'stronger than all.' There's always room in my heart for him — I love him."

Haney admitted that Vinnie was not happy that she had been in touch with Anselmo, saying, "I just hope some day he sees the light that I know Darrell is about, which is forgiving. I know it'll come in time — you've got to let go to continue on."

When asked by Artisan News about Vinnie's apparent decision to sit out this year's Dimebash, Rita said, "I sent him [a message]… On December 8 [the seven-year anniversary of Dimebag's death], I wanted him to know I was thinking about him, that I love him no matter what, [whatever] issues that he has. But I haven't spoken to him in almost a year now. He doesn't… But you know what?! I don't give up. I still love him. I have no animosity. And I just hope that he comes and celebrates with us [at some point in the future]."

On May 8, Fitz Madrid, afternoon DJ at the Phoenix, Arizona radio station 98 KUPD, conducted an interview with Philip Anselmo (DOWN, PANTERA, ARSON ANTHEM, SUPERJOINT RITUAL). You can now listen to the chat in two parts below. A couple of excerpts follow.

On whether there is any truth to rumors that a PANTERA reunion is possible with Zakk Wylde filling in for the late "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott on guitar or if it's all just wishful thinking on fans' part:

Anselmo: "Wishful thinking. And I hate to say that, too. You know, really… I would… Put it this way: my door is always open. I love those guys, I love… Put it this way: I miss that PANTERA feel, the feeling of walking out on that stage and performing those songs and having that massive audience just turn into this swirling whirlpool of bodies. That is something that is missable, for sure. Believe me, man, if that were a truth, I would tell you, but man, the truth of it all is it's pretty mich wishful thinking at this point."

On whether a PANTERA reunion is made impossible by the fact that some of the other suriving members of the band are less open to it than he is:

Anselmo: "There has been a great distance since Darrell's murder. I think Vinnie [Paul Abbott, Dimebag's brother and PANTERA drummer] is in his own place. I can't speak for the man and I cannot speak for what is going on in his mind, but there are still wide-open wounds and I guess we have taken different paths to some form of recovery that is healthy for us, so I'm not sure where he's at in his mind. But, once again, I have nothing but love for Vince. I think the media has a whole lot to do with destroying our relationship. But, you know, the media does, the media does, the media does. And in this day and age, with computers and what-not, you get instantaneous quotes, lines, messages, what-not, tweets and Twitter, etc. etc. etc. Someone could blog, someone could comment, someone could just say, 'This is rumored… PANTERA are getting back together,' what-not, it'll go as a truth or come out as a 'perhaps,' maybe it's areal rumor, this type of thing. Either way, before any of that ever has to happen, Vince and I would have to sit down, hash out whatever problems, whatever demons may exist, and thus far, that day has not come. And, once again, I will say, my door is wide open."

On why he feels the metal press has seemingly gone out of its way to vilify him over the years:

Anselmo: "Well, like I say, the media does what the media does, and if you get a writer out there who has a hard-on for you, or what-not, because he gets extra hits on his little web site, or whatever, just by… It kind of reminds me of Mike Florio from ProFootballTalk.com. He's the king of writing the wind-up article to where there'll be some basis of fact that can be taken out of context, he'll grab one little line out of a sentence that a player will say, and he'll post it as a headline. Kind of the same thing has happened to me a thousand different times where they'll take something I'd say way out of context and blow it up. And, I guess, if the hot ticket is that I'm an asshole or the biggest dick in the world you'll ever meet, then fine, go ahead and write and about it. That ain't gonna change my day; my life keeps rolling, Jack. But the point is, I think it's more puff, because really, I get along with everybody I meet, I would say, a great percentage of the time — 99.9 percent of the freakin' time — so it's like, if I'm an asshole or what-not, just have the balls to come up and at least tell me, 'Hey, man, you're an asshole.' But I'd like to know, 'OK, which Phil Anselmo are you talking about here?' Because you know it, I know it, we all know it, we're gonna grow up. I'm not 24, I'm not 34, I'm freaking 44 years old. It's like, 'Man, are you talking about something I said when I was 20-something years old? Or something I may have done when I was…?' We're not the same people that we were when we were younger men or what-not, to a certain degree, but at the same time, you keep your values. I'm no different as far as what I love in life; I still love boxing, I still love horror films, I'm still that guy, I still love underground music, and I will exhort these undergrounders to come on out and keep playing. That's my thing. People see what they wanna see, man. Put it this way: I can remember reading comments about how I was… whatever… I'm such a dick, and really, the only reason why this person was writing these comments is because they're into goth-imaged music — MISFITS, DANZIG, stuff like that — and little do they know, me and Glenn Danzig are good fucking friends. It's just people and it's the nature of the fucking beast. And like David Lee Roth said 30-something years ago, once your head gets tall enough so that it sticks over the fence, that's when people are gonna start humming coconuts at it, and that's just the nature of the goddamn beast."