Melissa Auf der Maur

Former Hole/Smashing Pumpkins bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur is set to release Out of Our Minds (OOOM), on March 30th 2010. Consisting of 12 powerful tracks produced and mixed by top-flight collaborators including Chris Goss (QOTSA, UNKLE), Alan Molder (Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins), and Mike Frazer (Franz Ferdinand, ACDC), the multimedia project album also extends into a 28-minute, HD film starring and conceived by MAdM, as well as a limited edition comic book and matching Picture Disc Vinyl illustrated by Jack Forbes.

MAdM has also premiered the first music video of the same name, “Out of Our Minds”, which you can watch below. Directed by Tony Stone, the stylishly noir video features MAdM on a mysterious journey into the woods after her car crashes. Stay connected via www.xmadmx.com

Icon Vs. Icon is giving one lucky winner will receive an Out of Our Minds EP, a limited edition special picture disc vinyl (illustrated by Jack Forbes) and a MAdM shirt.

HOW TO ENTER:
To enter send an email to contest@iconvsicon.com with “Out of Our Minds!” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, age, address, telephone number and…

Important! - In addition to your contact information, you must what intrigues you the most about Melissa Auf der Maur’s latest project. It’s that easy, so get entered today!

DETAILS:
All entries must be received before 11:59 p.m. EST on March 16th, 2010. Limit one (1) entry per username and person and per email address for the duration of the Entry Period. Multiple entries received from any username or person or e-mail address will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or which subvert the entry process are void. Entries that do not contain required entry information are void. This contest is open only to residents of The United States.

The 2010 Grammy Awards were held last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Grammy for Album of the Year went to Taylor Swift’s Fearless and Beyoncé walked away with the most awards: six, including Song of the Year, for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” Kings of Leon won the night’s top award, record of the year, with “Use Somebody”.

Check out the full winners list below.

Album of the Year – Taylor Swift, Fearless

Record of the Year – Use Somebody, Kings of Leon

New Artist – Zac Brown Band

Song of the Year – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), written by Thaddis Harrell, Beyonce Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart

Female Pop Vocal Performance – Halo, Beyonce

Male Pop Vocal Performance - Make it Mine, Jason Mraz

Pop Performance, Duo Or Group – I Gotta Feeling, The Black Eyed Peas

Pop Collaboration – Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat

Pop Instrumental Performance – Throw Down Your Heart, Bela Fleck

Pop Instrumental Album – Potato Hole, Booker T. Jones

Pop Vocal Album – The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas

Dance Recording – Poker Face, Lady Gaga

Electronic/Dance Album – The Fame, Lady Gaga

Traditional Pop Vocal Album – Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden, Michael Bublé

Solo Rock Vocal Performance – Working on a Dream, Bruce Springsteen

Rock Performance, Duo or Group With Vocals – Use Somebody, Kings of Leon

Hard Rock Performance – War Machine, AC/DC

Metal Performance – Dissident Aggressor, Judas Priest

Rock Instrumental Performance – A Day in the Life, Jeff Beck

Rock Song – Use Somebody, written by Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill

Rock Album – 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day

Alternative Music Album - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix

Female R&B Vocal Performance – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Beyoncé

Male R&B Vocal Performance – Pretty Wings, Maxwell

R&B Performance, Duo Or Group With Vocals - Blame It, Jamie Foxx and T-Pain

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - At Last, Beyonce

Urban/Alternative Performance - Pearls, India.Arie and Dobet Gnahore

R&B Song – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), written by Thaddis Harrell, Beyonce Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart

R&B Album – BLACKsummers’ Night, Maxwell

Contemporary R&B Album – I Am … Sasha Fierce, Beyonce

Rap Solo Performance -D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune), Jay-Z

Rap Song – Run This Town, written by Jeff Bhasker, Shawn Carter, Robyn Fenty, Kanye West, Ernest Wilson and Athanasios Alatas

Rap Album – Relapse, Eminem

Female Country Vocal Performance – White Horse, Taylor Swift

Male Country Vocal Performance – Sweet Thing, Keith Urban

Country Performance, Duo Or Group With Vocals – I Run to You, Lady Antebellum

Country Song - White Horse, Liz Rose and Taylor Swift

Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media – Up

Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media - Jai Ho, written by Gulzar, A. R. Rahman and Tanvi Shah, from “Slumdog Millionaire”

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package - Neil Young Archives Vol. I (1963-1972), Gary Burden, Jenice Heo and Neil Young

Short-Form Music Video – Boom Boom Pow, the Black Eyed Peas

Long-Form Music Video - The Beatles Love — All Together Now

Melissa Auf der Maur

Melissa Auf der Maur has premiered the first music video from her current multimedia project of the same name, “Out of Our Minds”, which you can watch below. Directed by Tony Stone, the stylishly noir video features MAdM on a mysterious journey into the woods after her car crashes.

Out of Our Minds (OOOM), also includes a solo record that will be released on March 23rd 2010. Consisting of 12 powerful tracks produced and mixed by top-flight collaborators including Jordon Zadorozny (Sam Roberts), Chris Goss (QOTSA, UNKLE), Alan Molder (Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins), and Mike Frazer (Franz Ferdinand, ACDC), the album also features a special duet with legendary Goth rocker, Glenn Danzig.

Out of Our Minds is MAdM’s long awaited second solo album, which also extends into a 28-minute, HD film starring and conceived by MAdM, as well as a limited edition comic book and matching Picture Disc Vinyl illustrated by Jack Forbes from Brooklyn, NY.

ANVIL, the Canadian heavy metal band whose “Cinderella” story, “Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” is nominated for a Critics Choice Movie Award in the category of Best Documentary, will travel to Los Angeles to attend the awards presentation that will be held at the Hollywood Palladium this Friday, January 15. The rockumentary has been named one of 2009’s Best Documentaries by a slew of film critics associations across the continent, including critics in Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Las Vegas, as well as the International Documentary Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the National Society of Film Critics. It also made the Year End Top Ten lists in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and Village Voice. The 15th Annual Critics Choice Movie Awards will be broadcast January 15 live on VH1 at 9PM ET/PT.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the trip to Los Angeles means Anvil, who kicked off its “The Anvil Experience” North American tour in Cleveland, OH last week, will have to cancel its January 14 date in Baltimore, MD and the New York City date set for January 15. But, it’s not all bad news as the New York date has been rescheduled to take place on Friday, March 19, still at The Gramercy Theatre, still with an 8PM show time. Tickets purchased for the 1/15 show will be honored on 3/19.

And there’s more ANVIL tour news. Originally, “The Anvil Experience” concerts were going to open with a screening of the “Anvil! The Story of Anvil” documentary followed by the band playing a live set. However, according to Anvil’s guitarist/vocalist Steve “Lips” Kudlow, “We’ve been so fortunate with the success of the film and then the DVD, so many people have already seen it, so we’ve decided that this tour is going to be all about the music, we’re just going to play our set, and just ROCK with the fans. ‘The Anvil Experience’ will be an evening of pure, unadulterated rock’n'roll.” Local bands will open the shows.

The 27-date concert tour – the band’s first major tour in more than a decade – is in support of “Anvil! The Story of Anvil,” as well as the band’s latest album, This Is Thirteen which one rock critic called “Anvil’s “best record in over two decades.”

Confirmed dates for “The Anvil Experience” are as follows:

JANUARY
7 House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
8 Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ONT CANADA
9 Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI
10 House of Blues, Chicago, IL
12 Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY
16 House of Blues, Boston, MA
17 Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
19 The Fillmore, Charlotte, NC
20 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
21 House of Blues, Lake Buena Vista, FL
23 House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
24 House of Blues, Houston, TX
25 Emo’s, Austin, TX
26 House of Blues, Dallas, TX
29 The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
30 The Riot Room, Kansas City, MO
31 Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO

FEBRUARY
2 Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
3 House of Blues, San Diego, CA
4 House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
5 House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
6 The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
9 Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA
11 Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
12 Studio Seven, Seattle, WA
13 Venue Vancouver, Vancouver, BC CANADA

MARCH
19 The Gramercy Theatre, New York, NY

Melissa Auf der Maur (MAdM) is set to unveil the first chapter of her multimedia solo project Out of Our Minds (OOOM) with a new album set for release on March 16th, 2010. Dynamic, multilayered and independently produced, OOOM, is a 21st century concept project that includes a solo album, short film, comic book, live performances, gallery presentations and several viral components. A “choose your own adventure” – one can collect and consume all the parts, or each part can exist on its own. The album’s lead single & title track is currently available now for free download via MAdM’s website (www.xmadmx.com). Fans will see the rest of the project unfold in various forms throughout 2010.

Melissa Auf der Maur said of the project, “OOOM began as a song. It was mid first decade of the 21st Century and technology had just begun to dismantle the music business towers. It was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me. The landscape changed and I began to morph my roots in visual arts with the music. The many portals of OOOM invite listeners and viewers to discover on their own, at their own pace and in their own space. If you’re listening, Come in…”

The OOOM album consists of 12 powerful tracks produced and mixed by top-flight creative collaborators including Jordon Zadorozny (Sam Roberts), Chris Goss (QOTSA, UNKLE), Alan Molder (Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins), and Mike Frazer (Franz Ferdinand, ACDC). The album features a notable special duet with legendary Goth rocker Glenn Danzig on “Father’s Grave.” Other standout tracks are “Meet Me On The Dark Side” and “22 Below,” which highlights MAdM’s ability to fuse her bass rifts with captivating melodies.

An essential component of OOOM is the 28-minute, HD film starring and conceived by MAdM under the direction of Tony Stone. The film was first shown at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, as well as at World Con’s 67th Annual Sci-Fi Convention, garnering widespread critical praise. In October, the OOOM film was added as an installation piece and contemporary interpretation to an international showcase of pre-Raphaelite painter, J.W. Waterhouse’s work. This exhibit will run in Montreal, Quebec at the Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts from October 2, 2009 to February 7, 2010. The OOOM film will continue to do festival and gallery runs throughout the New Year and will also be released as part of a deluxe box set that will be available in 2010.

The limited edition OOOM Comic Book and matching Picture Disc Vinyl are also currently available via xmadmx.com. A 12 Page comic book and 7″ vinyl illustrated by Jack Forbes from Brooklyn, NY.
Stay connected on all details of the OOOM adventure via www.xmadmx.com.

Anvil - the “Rocky Balboa of Metal” – is set to launch their first major tour in more than a decade – “The Anvil Experience” – a full-on, 30-date North American trek in support of both the September 15 release of their most recent CD, This is Thirteen (VH1 Classic Records), and the October 6 DVD release of Anvil! The Story of Anvil (VH1 Films). The tour kicks off in earnest on January 7, 2010 in the city of rock ‘n’ roll, Cleveland, Ohio, will include dates in New York and Los Angeles, and will culminate in Vancouver on February 13.

But this will not be any ordinary concert tour, as audience members will be treated to a screening of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, before the group – singer/guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner, and bassist Glenn Five – will take the stage for a set of heavy Anvil classics.

And if that’s not enough metal for you, well, the lads are prepared. For the serious metalhead, a limited number of 50 “VIP Anvil Experience” packages will be made available for each show, which includes a ticket to the concert, a copy of the This is Thirteen CD, a copy of the Anvil! The Story of Anvil DVD, a fanny pack (a constant fashion companion of Reiner’s as seen in the film), and a meet ‘n’ greet with the band. Pre-sale tickets go on sale Tuesday, October 6, with the regular on-sale starting Friday, October 9. See below** for full details.

Of This is Thirteen, one rock critic called it Anvil’s “best record in over two decades.” And if you haven’t already seen Anvil! The Story of Anvil, you’re missing out on what will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest – and certainly most honest and realistic – rock docs of all time. Don’t believe us? Here’s some proof from those who caught earlier Anvil Experience showings: “Fantastic! Definitely the best concert I’ve ever seen in a movie theatre” (Tal Pinchevsky/New York Post). “Such a great movie, and the performance was fantastic. Great idea to have the guys there” (Claudia Acosta/ABC World News). The Anvil Experience is guaranteed to go down as one of the top metal events of 2010 – get ready for some true “Metal on Metal!”

** VH1 Fan Club Pre-Sale – Tuesday, October 6 at 10AM to Thursday, October 8 at 10PM (local time) – hosted on Ticketmaster
Password is METALONMETAL
Live Nation Pre-Sale – Wednesday, October 7 at 10AM to Thursday, October 8 at 10PM (local time)
Public On-Sale date is Friday, October 9, 10AM (local time)

Confirmed dates for The Anvil Experience are as follows:

JANUARY
7 House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
8 Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ONT CANADA
9 Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI
10 House of Blues, Chicago, IL
12 Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY
14 Sonar, Baltimore, MD
15 Irving Plaza, New York, NY
16 House of Blues, Boston, MA
17 Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
19 The Fillmore, Charlotte, NC
20 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
21 House of Blues, Lake Buena Vista, FL
23 House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
24 House of Blues, Houston, TX
25 Emo’s, Austin, TX
26 House of Blues, Dallas, TX
29 The Pageant, St. Louis, MO
30 The Beaumont, Kansas City, MO
31 Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO

FEBRUARY
2 Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
3 House of Blues, San Diego, CA
4 House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
5 House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
6 The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
8 Knitting Factory, Boise, ID
9 Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA
11 Wonder Ballroom, Portland, OR
12 Studio Seven, Seattle, WA
13 Venue Vancouver, Vancouver, BC CANADA

Certainly one of the most feel-good rock n’ roll comeback stories of recent times is that of Canadian heavy metal band Anvil. The band, considered a major influence for a generation of hard rockers including Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Guns N’ Roses, was the subject of a critically acclaimed, must-see rock-doc, ‘Anvil! The Story of Anvil,’ directed by Sacha Gervasi. And in the process, the film has made the group (led by singer/guitarist Steve “Lips” Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner – both founding members) a household name. But the group’s story will certainly not end with the film.

First up for Anvil are U.S. shows opening for Aussie rock legends AC/DC – in football stadiums. We’re really excited about these shows, we’ve only heard awesome things about playing in football stadiums. I was with the Green Day guys last night, and they were telling me, ‘Man, it’s probably going to be the gig of your life’!”

And then on September 15, This is Thirteen will finally see proper national distribution on CD and vinyl via VH1 Classic Records. The CD will feature the newly recorded, never-before released bonus track “Thumb Hang.” The collectible double vinyl LP boasts newly re-recorded versions of Anvil classics “Metal on Metal” and “666.” The album, originally recorded in 2007 and produced by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy), was primarily available directly from the band via their website and at their concerts.

“‘This is Thirteen’ is more like our first three albums,” says Lips, “which represent our real identity. For many of our albums, we went on an ‘integrity hunt’ instead of on a ‘commercial/radio hunt,’ so we became extremely inaccessible to radio. This time, we stepped back and said, ‘What were we originally?’ And we rediscovered ourselves, I suppose.” Reiner adds, “There are three tracks that in my opinion, are definitely, 100% AOR/hard rock/commercial radio tracks – ‘American Refuge,’ ‘Flying Blind,’ and ‘Feed the Greed.’ Catchy melodies, incredible drum feels – they just all rock.”

The title track is about as classic Anvil as you can get – that slow, powerful, heavy backbeat with cool changes. The violent-sounding “Bombs Away” is, according to Reiner, “the almightiest metal track on the entire record,” “Ready to Fight” is pure speed rock ‘n roll – Nugent on steroids – that boasts super-heavy drumming, and “Big Business” is akin, musically-speaking, to Cream’s classic “Sunshine of Your Love.” And then there’s the true classic, Anvil near-anthem, “Shoulda’ Woulda’ Coulda’,” that’s about living life with no regrets.

Reiner points out that the input from acclaimed producer Tsangarides (who produced early Anvil albums) was a major reason for This is Thirteen turning out the way it did. “The last four or five albums, material-wise, were all similar. We had been trying to find the direction back to the classic Anvil style and sound – it’s just that the production hadn’t been up to scratch. Chris was a big missing part on our past albums.”

Despite some zany Spinal Tap-like parallels between Anvil and David St. Hubbins and company in the film, Anvil has always been taken seriously by metalheads, including some very well known rock stars, who praise the band in the film. “Anvil was one of those bands that just put on this really amazing live performance,” said Velvet Revolver/ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, while Motorhead singer/bassist Lemmy added, “They were a great band – I always liked Anvil,” and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich gushed, “These guys were going to turn the music world upside down.”

So, the AC/DC dates, the release of This is Thirteen, what else can fans expect from Anvil in the future? Lips was willing to provide a hint: “Working. More recording. More gigs. More – more than ever!”

AC/DC DATES:
JULY
28 Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
31 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

AUGUST
6 Magnetic Hill, Moncton, New Brunswick CANADA

Our staff of die-hard rock n’ roll fans is ready to deliver you a heaping helping of 2008’s Biggest Moments In Rock!

Steve Johnson’s Pick: There were many moments in the past year that could easily be considered for the best moment in rock, but one moment, 15 years in the making, reigns supreme. Axl Rose finally delivered an album that for the most part had become a running joke amongst the music community. Surrounded by years of media hype and ridiculous expectations, Chinese Democracy was released on November 23. While some of you out there may not give the album a chance because of the long delay or the fact that it does not feature Slash or Duff, you should. Chinese Democracy exceeds all of the expectations placed on it and is a prime example of masterful song writing. Axl, this Dr. Pepper is for you! You are number 1 in my book.

Jason Price’s Pick: The biggest rock moment in 2008 to me was the retailer specific mega-deals that were inked for the likes of the Eagles, Journey, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses. For some artists it payed off in spades. However, for others, like Guns N’ Roses, the jury still seems to be out on just whether this is the right way to go when marketing their product. There is little doubt that the music industry is in a state of flux and it will be interesting to see if marketing of this fashion is a trend we will see more of for established artists.

Jen X’s Pick: I don’t know if “Biggest” would be the best description, but one of the coolest moments in rock for me this year was Nine Inch Nails releasing The Slip as a free download via their website. My opinion is that this could be a huge boost to bands and solo artists in concert ticket sales, and obviously the free concept carried over to appreciative fans as many then went out and bought the hard copy that came with a 24-page booklet, a sticker pack and a DVD of live performances. Bottom line is I dig the concept, and feel that by releasing what NIN knew was awesome material for free download it could be the wave of the future for bands that are confident in their music and want to promote an upcoming tour. And, as they say, “If it’s free, it’s for me.”