Band of the Month

Avenged Sevenfold
by: Emma Ashley

It seems only fitting that the current band of the month is avenged sevenfold with the tragic loss of their drummer, James ‘The Rev’ Sullivan at the end of last year. The Rev passed away from what Orange County Police say is natural causes in his home on the afternoon of December 28th 2009, age 28.

The news hit first through Avenged Sevenfold’s official website where they posted, “It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan. Jimmy was not only one of the world’s best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy’s family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time. Jimmy you are forever in our hearts. We love you. M Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance and Johnny Christ”.

Over the years Avenged Sevenfold have hit rock media again and again with their ever-changing sounds, risqué interviews and exciting music videos. Playing festivals and concerts all over the world they have become an iconic band, original and yet true to rock n’ roll. Their lyrics on everything from sex, drugs and rock n’ roll to religion and politics mean that they don’t take things too seriously but deliver some important messages. The Rev was always a part of the fun and the antics, a particular moment that springs to mind is in the band’s all Excess DVD where they are in the park by some ducks and he goes, “look at the size of that fucking duck!” and starts chasing it. Always charismatic, always a character, the Rev will truly be missed.

I was lucky enough to catch the band twice in the UK once at Download festival in 2006 and again last year at Sonisphere festival, they play with acute accuracy and never seize to disappoint the audience. In 2006 I met them, I especially remember how friendly, sweet and funny the Rev was to all fans, never moaning about signing autographs or having photo; nothing was too much for him, he is truly a role-model for other rock stars.

Many tributes across social networking sites appeared within 24 hours of the news, cards are being sent to the band and a scrapbook is being made to send to them with fans tributes.

The Rev was an amazing drummer and an extremely talented musician who shall be greatly missed by family, friends, fans and fellow musicians the world over, it is a sad day when another great rock star is taken from the world too early.

RIP ‘The Rev’ - February 9, 1981 – December 28, 2009

For more information and for fan tributes visit;

http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/

Emma Ashley

Artist of the Month

The Voices of Decent human beings
This month I was trying hard to think of one artist. One individual to spotlight. I couldn’t. I know the month is almost over, so this would be February’s issue. So for February I am calling every individual that performed at George Clooney’s Hope for Haiti Telethon. The actors and public figures that spoke, as well as the musicians that sang. Justin Timberlake did a magnificent version of Hallelujah with Matt Morris. A song originally recorded by Leonard Cohen, and made famous by Jeff Buckley. I have a very soft spot for Jeff’s version, but Justin almost topped it. Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock and Keith Urban were probably my second favorite performance of the night. Singing Bill Withers Lean on Me. The three fit perfectly together, and I was very happy to see Keith Urban performing with those two. For he’s a favorite country singer in this home. I was incredibly happy to see Madonna perform Like a Prayer. It has always seemed to me that she isn’t really into her old music. Madonna! Thank you for singing Like a Prayer for such an event. It was a beautiful performance. And Shakira. Beautiful Shakira singing I’ll stand by you. I watched this with my mother, and she told me sometimes she thinks Shakira sounds like Janis Joplin. I am glad I am not the only one that thinks so. I’ve always said let’s hear her sing piece of my heart. See I couldn’t choose just one. So let’s give a few compliments to Taylor Swift and Christina Aguilera while we’re at it. Taylor Swift introduced me to a Better than Ezra song. I know only one better than Ezra song and it’s not Breathless. I can’t compare it to the original, but she certainly can sing. I’ve heard a few negative reviews on her live performances,but I honestly don’t get where they come from. I’ve never seen a live performance of Taylor’s I did not like. Christina? There are few words for her performance. Spectacular, Stunning, Amazing, Great. Do I need a thesaurus? She sounds like how my Mariah used to sound. The voice I miss so much. I give applauds to all our Artists of the month, for their hearts of gold and talent.And Thank you George who deserves to be in the category of Artist of the month for putting this together-Jacqueline Milom.

Monthly Reviews

Interview with Anti Product-Emma Ashley

E: First of all thank you for doing this interview and answering the following questions. At auditory assault our first question is always one the last band came up with. So with that said Vanessa Alexandra asks:

E: What’s your dream place to travel? I’m going to Japan next month, which is my dream place, so I have to ask that.

AP: Angelina Jolie’s vagina

E: So far what do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

AP: Not getting shot for being the way I am. That, Ozzfest and now touring the world with Marky Ramone and Michale Graves formerly of the Misfits keeping the Ramones music vibrant alive and very sweaty. New AntiProduct album, now officially titled PLEASE TAKE YOUR CASH is way up there for sure. For that matter Sylvia Massy producing us didn’t suck either.

E: The album made in the U.S.A. is self produced, when did you start producing records?

AP: When I realised I’m the most anal compulsive man alive. Even Sylvia would startle herself when I’d show up with songs that had 130 tracks on ‘em. She aid she’d never mixed ANYTHING, not SOAD, Chilli Peppers, Pumpkins, etc had bigger sessions.

E: Where did the name anti-product come from?

Ted Nugent was taken

E: Apart from music where do you draw other influences such as movies, books etc.?

AP: Life and hypocrisy with a sense of humour and a beat you can fuck to

E: What was your original concept and idea for the band and how has it developed?

AP: all by accident and we are on a collision course with destiny.

E: Antiproduct has longevity without the help of major labels, you lost out to the best new band in the Kerrang awards to lost prophets who change their style and content with every album when the fashion changes, do you feel cheated by the fact you play such small places when you’re in essence an arena rock band?

AP: ‘ell, I love the concept of a ruthlessly heavy band with Abba harmonies that are a stadium rock band called AntiProduct. For me that works. I made my idea of my favourite band when I was 16 and the fact that we can tour as much as we do (skin disease not withstanding) without any corporate help and we have an insanely dedicated, if underground, following makes me very proud. I have seen so many bands I know get signed to Megacorp Records and when they don’t sell a billion units in the first minute they come out, the label drops ‘em and they are washed up at 24. Fuckin retarded.

E: To cover good vibrations was ambitious how did you make it so good that it stands up to the original?

AP: Well, we’re all geniusii and had Sylvia, who is geniusier than we are produce it. How could we go wrong, he said blithely.

E: I have a question from a fan I’m not sure whether it’ll mean much to you but they want me to ask about the time you threw up on Chris Evans from Radio 4?

AP: Oh yeesh. Fuck I almost forgot about that. Yea, I was drunk asleep on top of the van we drove through London when I got all naked to unapologetically self promote. I puke off the top of this fuckin thing (we ere parked outside of the Intrepid Fox at the time) and he just happened to be walking by. Opps. Still not the stupidest thing I ever did. I think the riot in Italy when we opened for Slayer would qualify for that honour.

E: Alex when you state your influences ranging from the beach boys to cheap trick, kiss and the Beatles how do you carve the influences into one niche that is anti product?

Alex: with a great deal of effort and weed.

E: Do you have any pre-show rituals that you do to ‘boost-confidence’ or prepare yourselves?

AntiProduct: goat sacrifices and Bachanalian sexual excess ala Caligula. Thanks for asking


E: When can we expect to hear some new music from you guys?

AP: May 2009

E: Another thing we do at the end of our interviews is turn the tables around. Ask me something. It can be anything you like.

AP: Who are you?

E: I’m Emma, thanks for asking J Lastly have you got a question for us that we can ask the next band we interview?

AP: Why does your girlfriend keep facebooking me naked pictures of her getting fucked by a donkey?

*Editors Note: Bands we’ve been doing the whole the last band asks the first question thing for years. I’d just like to point out we do not take responsibility for what they ask nor do you “have” to answer it. Thanks for some of the most interesting questions. Glad this bit has been a hit for the most part at least.