NIKKI SIXX and DONNA D'ERRICO are expecting their first child in December (their family currently includes four kids from other relationships). "We couldn't be happier," said Sixx. "Donna and I feel truly blessed and look forward to a healthy pregnancy and adding a seventh member to our family." Sixx is currently working on MÖTLEY CRÜE's New Tattoo album, due out June 20, and has his disc with 58, Diet For a New America, on the release slate for May 16.
This summer, THIN LIZZY hits the road in Europe . However, the line up will be John Sykes, Scott Gorham, Darren Wharton being joined by Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice. Marco Mendoza and Tommy Aldridge will still be busy touring with Ted Nugent, who is opening for KISS. Franklin and Appice last worked with Sykes on BLUE MURDER.
FILTER frontman Richard Patrick can now be added to the list of recording artists that are speaking out against online music distribution company, Napster. "I wanna stress this to the kids," Patrick began. "It costs so much money for us to make records. It costs almost a million dollars to do a video. Um, (the cost to record Filter's album) was -- I'll be straight up -- it was like $700,000. Ok? We get like 80 cents a record. Ok? If you go out and you steal sh*t from the Internet... bad MP3 files, get pirated copies, all you're doing is taking a big sh*t on us as a band. And if you're really fans of the music and you love us, don't rip us off like this. And we will sue these people." Richard also stated firmly that he will stand by the artists that have already spoken out against Napster. "I will stand behind Lars from METALLICA," the Filter frontman said. "I will stand behind DR. DRE. I will stand behind anybody that wants to do this because this is our livelihood. And you know, it's one thing when you get a crappy cassette copy from your buddy down the street, to now it's digital quality reproductions, blah, blah, blah."
TONY MONTANA's (ex-bass player of Great White) solo disc will also be released in Europe by Axe Killer.
Following some false statements and information being spread in Europe, Frontiers Records wishes to clarify to the fans, distributors and all customers that the JEFF WATSON album Around The Sun is not a re-issue album. The label wishes to point out the album is being released in Europe for the first time ever and features an extra bonus track, exclusive for Europe ("Ship Comes In" featuring Steve Walsh on vocals). The release also features the four extra tracks added to the US release that were not part of the original Japanese release.
LAIDLAW and TRANSMISSION OK (guitarist BLUES SARACENO's band) put on a rocking show at Vinyl in Hollywood last night, and a few other musicians were there to check them out. RYAN COOK, JOHN SEPETYS, and MIKE DUPKE from HAIR OF THE DOG were on hand, and said they'll head out on a radio-associated tour in May in support of Rise. Drummer PHIL VARONE (ex-SAIGON KICK) came out to Los Angeles to audition for OZZY OSBOURNE, and was among several name skins-pounders that didn't get the gig. Apparently, an unknown who has played with Osbourne's bassist ROBERT TRUJILLO got the nod. Varone has been jamming with a few different people and plans to move to L.A. from Florida very soon.
Here's some news that almost didn't make it up here: 80's pop singer/songrwriter (he penned more than a few tunes for glam metal bands) RICHARD MARX is working on a new disc to be released on his own label. It should be released by mid-2000 and there are plans to tour behind the album. You can check out his website at www.richardmarx.com
