Former Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr dead at 44

Today is a sad day in the Heavy Music world. Former Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr, who had been struggling with drug addiction for many years, was found dead today in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to Police, they received a call today at 1:42 PM and when they arrived they found Starr dead.

THIS JUST IN: According to Police investigations no foul play is suspected in the passing of Mike Starr, but they did find drugs near his body. Here is an audio statement from Sergeant Shawn Josephson of the Salt Lake City Police Department:



In 2009 Starr had appeared on the third season of "Celebrity Rehab" and his former Alice In Chains band mates let everyone know that even though they were disgusted by the show, they supported Starr's decision to go to rehab. Last month Starr had been arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance, Police say that he had 6 Xanax pills and 6 Opana, which is a pain killer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, band mates and fans,

Here are some facts about Mike Starr:

- Starr was the original bassist of Alice in Chains, he was in the band from their formation in 1987 until 1993.

- He was with Alice In Chains during the "Facelift" and "Dirt" albums and the "Sap" EP.

- During an episode of "Celebrity Rehab" Starr confessed that he was kicked out of Alice In Chains due to his drug addiction.

- After leaving Alice In Chains, Starr played bass for Sun Red Sun. The band featured Ray Gillen and Bobby Rondinelli, both former members of Black Sabbath. The band came to an end when Gillen died in 1993.

Rest In Peace Mike, the entire Heavy Music family will miss you! \m/



Related links:
Official Site of Mike Starr

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Hard Rock Grammy nominations

The nominees for the 53rd Grammy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, were announced yesterday. The event will take place on February 13, 2011 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. While this award show does not represent Heavy Music the way the Golden Gods Awards do, it is still the most important award show in the world when it comes to music. Representing Heavy Music this year we have: Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Korn and Megadeth.

Here are the nominees for Best Hard Rock Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.):

A Looking In View
Alice In Chains
[Virgin Records]


Let Me Hear You Scream
Ozzy Osbourne
Track from: Scream
[Epic]


Black Rain
Soundgarden
Track from: Telephantasm
[A&M/UMe]


Between The Lines
Stone Temple Pilots
Track from: Stone Temple Pilots
[Atlantic Records]


New Fang
Them Crooked Vultures
Track from: Them Crooked Vultures
[DGC/Interscope]


Here are the nominees for Best Metal Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.):

El Dorado
Iron Maiden
Track from: The Final Frontier
[UMe]


Let The Guilt Go
Korn
Track from: Korn III: Remember Who You Are
[Roadrunner Records]


In Your Words
Lamb Of God
Track from: Wrath
[Epic]


Sudden Death
Megadeth
[Roadrunner Records]


World Painted Blood
Slayer
Track from: World Painted Blood
[Columbia Records/American Records]




Related links:
Grammy Awards
Virgin Records
Epic
A&M/UMe
Atlantic Records
DGC/Interscope
UMe
Roadrunner Records

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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BLACKDIAMONDSKYE at Madison Square Garden

On Friday night, Madison Square Garden welcomed the "BLACKDIAMONDSKYE" tour. The national tour features Alice In Chains, deftones and Mastodon. A lineup that is simply unmatched by any tour thus far in 2010. Both 3 bands represent different times in music, in which they have managed to become huge influences on many bands thanks to their statuses as flag holders. As we all know, Madison Square Garden is the dream venue for any musician to perform at, and Alice In Chains, deftones and Mastodon all made history together. Let us tell you about this magical night.

Earlier this year, we ran into Mastodon's singer/bassist Troy Sanders and drummer Brann Dailor at the Slipknot show at Madison Square Garden and told them: "You guys will be on that stage very soon!" Both of them sighed and smiled. Fast forward 7 months and they are opening the "BLACKDIAMONDSKYE" tour at the worlds largest arena. Thankfully we arrived just as Mastodon were starting their set with their song "Naked Burn", and we were very happy to witness this historical event. Mastodon warmed up the crowd with songs like "Divinations" and "Colony of Birchmen". The band kept blowing peoples minds throughout their 8 song set, which was concluded with "Blood and Thunder".


Then it was time for Sacramento's deftones to take over center stage at Madison Square Garden. From the get-go the band was on point and Chino looked and sounded phenomenal. It was evident that Chino needed to change his lifestyle in order to improve his performance-ship and after hearing members of the crowd say: "The deftones are back, Chino is definitely back!" It was evident that the band is in fact, back in style.

They opened their set with "Rocket Skates" and got the crowd grooving, then they got into Around the Fur mode and played "Around the Fur", "Be Quiet and Drive", and "My Own Summer". After a few new songs from their latest album "Diamond Eyes", the band played all the crowds favorites like "Change (In The House of Flies)", "Engine No. 9" and they left in a very high note after playing "7 Words". The deftones owned Madison Square Garden, and we expect them back within the next few years on their own headlining tour.

Then it was time for Alice In Chains to headline Madison Square Garden. As many of us know they are missing their original front-man Layne Staley, who died in 2002 from an overdose. In our opinion they have proved all skeptics wrong, and Alice In Chains did justice by bringing in William DuVall to replace Staley. Any doubt doubt anyone had on his performance before their performance, was quickly washed away by his amazing performance-ship and original stage antics.


The band kicked off their set with "Them Bones", which immediately made the crowd lose their minds. During the next hour and a half, Alice In Chains performed songs like "No Excuses", "Down in a Hole", "Rooster", "Man In The Box" and ended the amazing music night with "Would?". What impressed us the most about Alice In Chains, was the fact that all their older songs sounded timeless, their stage presence was intact and the light show was simple yet colorful.

If you get a chance to catch the "BLACKDIAMONDSKY" tour, do your ears a favor and take them to this sonically perfect tour.





Here is a clip of Alice In Chains opening with "Them Bones":


The Black Diamond Skye Tour:


Related links:
The Black Diamond Skye Tour
Official Site of Alice in Chains
Official Site of the deftones
Official Site of Mastodon

IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)

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BLACKDIAMONDSKYE TOUR! Alice In Chains, deftones, Mastodon

It has been confirmed by various sources that 3 of the most influential bands of our generation are touring together this Fall! Which bands am I talking about? Three legends of Heavy Music: Alice In Chains, deftones and Mastodon! Here are some tour dates, a lot more to come!

16-Sep Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion, on-sale May 22
17-Sep Detroit, MI DTE Energy Center, on-sale May 22
18-Sep Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre, on-sale May 20
20-Sep Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun, on-sale May 22
22-Sep Boston, MA Agannis Arena, on-sale May 22
24-Sep New York, NY Madison Square Garden, on-sale May 22
28-Sep Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre, on-sale May 22
1-Oct St. Louis, MO Scottrade Arena, on-sale May 22
4-Oct Denver, CO Red Rocks, on-sale May 22
7-Oct Vancouver, BC GM Place, on-sale May 15
8-Oct Seattle, WA Key Arena, on-sale May 22
9-Oct Portland, OR Memorial Coliseum, on-sale May 22
16-Oct Las Vegas, NV The Joint, on-sale May 22

This will probably sell out fast, so don't delay! Tickets will be available on May 22. Stay tuned for more information!

Related links:

BlackDiamondSkye Official site

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