BILLY CORGAN LOOKING FOR NEW SMASHING PUMPKINS MEMBERS

The Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a new bassist and keyboard player, it was announced on Tuesday (March 9th) by the band's publicist. Bassist Ginger Pooley, who toured with the group in 2007 and 2008, has left the band to take care of her new baby, while it is not clear what happened with keyboard player Lisa Harriton. Band leader Billy Corgan plans to hold an open audition process to find the group's new members, similar to the manner in which he landed drummer Mike Byrne last year.

• Pooley said in a statement, "Although I've been blessed beyond belief over the past few years through playing with the Pumpkins, my priority now is to keep our little family unit together, which includes my husband and my baby.'
• Corgan also said, "Although I am heartbroken that Ginger is leaving the group, I really respect her decision to put her family first. I appreciate everything that she has contributed to The Smashing Pumpkins, and I'm proud of her for being such a great musician and friend."
• Corgan also commented on the audition process, saying, "We were lucky enough to find drummer Mike Byrne through an open audition process, so why not open the doors again to anyone who might be interested for the bass or keyboard position . . . Everyone is truly welcome to audition."
• Electric Prunes bassist Mark Tulin will work with the group until a new bass player is found. Details of a world tour are expected to be unveiled shortly.
• The Smashing Pumpkins are currently recording a 44-song album called Kaleidyscope By Teargarden, with each song being released online as it is completed and a deluxe collection of the entire set due out when it's done.
• In other news, Corgan's recent musical collaboration with rumored romantic partner Jessica Simpson, titled "Who We Are," has surfaced online.

CHECK IT OUT:

• You can audition for the Smashing Pumpkins by sending your background info -- including your age, previous musical experience, photos and performance web links -- to either pumpkinsbass@gmail.com or pumpkinskeys@gmail.com. Video performance clips must be included for consideration. The deadline is March 31st.
• Check out Jess and Billy's "Who We Are" at http://bit.ly/ccJ0iY

The Metal Den has recently unearthed the only known "isolated master guitar track" in existence of Randy Rhoads playing the riff to the classic Ozzy Osbourne song "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley".   Rhoads laid down two guitar parts for the song, which was Ozzy's first single as a solo artist back in 1980, and this recording captures one of them without the rest of the instruments or vocals. March 19th will mark the 28th anniversary of Rhoads' 1982 death in a plane crash. To hear the track, go to http://themetalden.com (The Metal Den)

Prepare to be blown away!

A website called The Metal Den has posted a copy online of the earliest Metallica demo tape. According to the site, the recording, dated March 1982, is a very rough "work in progress" version of the song "Hit The Lights," which later became the opening track of Metallica's 1983 debut album, Kill 'Em All. The demo version features founding members James Hetfield on vocals and Lars Ulrich on drums, along with Dave Mustaine on guitar and Ron McGovney on bass.

CHECK IT OUT: The early Metallica recording of "Hit The Lights" can be heard at http://bit.ly/dj7qAy

First of all, it was such an honor to have the chance to speak with Sean Kinney, drummer for Alice in Chains.  He was such a nice guy.  This interview discusses his beginnings, the transformations of Alice in Chains, and of course, some discussion of Layne Stayley. 

Click here and enjoy!

http://wwns.com/audio/SeanKinney.mp3

Nominees for the second annual Revolver Golden God Awards were announced on Wednesday (February 17th) at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Hollywood's Sunset Strip. Among the multiple nominees in the nine categories were Metallica, Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath offshoot Heaven & Hell and Them Crooked Vultures. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 8th at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles and be televised on May 22nd on VH1 Classics. Tickets will be available to the public and go on sale this Friday (February 19th).

• On hand for the press conference were Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, Pantera and Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul, Motorhead main man Lemmy Kilmister and Megadeth leader Dave Mustaine, among others.
• Rob Halford will receive a special Revolver Golden God Award, while Kilmister will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Last year's Golden God winner, Ozzy Osbourne, will present Halford's award, while Dave Grohl will do the honors for Kilmister.
• Performers at the event will include Rob Zombie, As I Lay Dying, The Devil Wears Prada and others.
• Voting is now open to the public until March 31st at the Revolver website.
• Nominees for the Revolver Golden Gods Awards are:
  
  BEST GUITARIST
  Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
  Tony Iommi (Heaven & Hell)
  Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine)
  Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
  Slash
  Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society)
  
  BEST DRUMMER
  Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
  Brann Dailor (Mastodon)
  Dave Grohl (Them Crooked Vultures)
  Gene Hoglan (Dethklok, Fear Factory)
  Dave Lombardo (Slayer)
  Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold)
  
  BEST VOCALIST
  Jonathan Davis (Korn)
  Ronnie James Dio (Heaven & Hell)
  Neil Fallon (Clutch)
  Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)
  Serj Tankian (Serj Tankian, System Of A Down)
  Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour)
  
  ALBUM OF THE YEAR
  Alice in Chains, Black Gives Way to Blue
  Heaven & Hell, The Devil You Know
  Mastodon, Crack the Skye
  Megadeth, Endgame
  Slayer, World Painted Blood
  Them Crooked Vultures, Them Crooked Vultures
  
  BEST LIVE BAND
  The Devil Wears Prada
  Lamb of God
  Metallica
  Motorhead
  Rob Zombie
  Slayer
  
  BEST UNDERGROUND BAND
  Behemoth
  Between the Buried and Me
  The Black Dahlia Murder
  Converge
  The Dillinger Escape Plan
  Obituary
  
  MOST METAL ATHLETE
  Josh Barnett (MMA fighting)
  Marc Colombo, Cory Procter, and Leonard Davis (NFL football)
  Chris Jericho (WWE wrestling)
  Mike Piazza (MLB baseball)
  Jason Ellis (Pro skateboarding)
  Jolene Van Vugt (Pro motocrosser)
  
  HOTTEST CHICK(S) IN METAL
  Pearl Aday (Pearl)
  Maria Brink (In This Moment)
  Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)
  Lacey Mosley (Flyleaf)
  Alexia & Anissa Rodriguez (Eyes Set to Kill)
  Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil)
  
  COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
  AC/DC
  Alice in Chains
  Anvil
  Fear Factory
  Heaven & Hell
  Kiss

CHECK IT OUT: Vote for the awards at www.revolvermag.com/goldengods