FUZZ Magazine

biffy clyro is back Ups, Downs & Opposites the guitar hero Slash Talks Life After GNR spring issue 2013

fuzz magazine spring issue 2013 Š2013 All rights reserved.

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editor in chief kristin seem graphic design kristin seem The content of this magazine belongs to their respective owners and can not be used without the owners permission.

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new releases We give you new and notewothy albums record releases, from fresh as well as well-known artist.

anticipated releases Our most anticipated album releases this year. We reveal new artists each season.

mon the biy Biff y Clyro is out and about with a new album release and an ongoing tour. We sat down with them for a talk.

live We show you which big rock concerts to go to this spring all around Scandinavia.

welcome to the snakepit Slash has been though alot since the end of Guns 'N Roses. He told us about his life after and his future plans.

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It's hard to believe that today's rock music began with a single black man, singing a hybrid type of the blues, and flourished over the last five decades to become, not only a choice, but also a way of life.

Rock music has evolved to become an array of different styles and sub categories, which provice enjoyment for a multitude of different tastes in music. What the future holds for rock music may not be known, although it's safe to say this genre will still be around for the next five decades.

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Fuzz Magazine is all about rock. It is about the feeling you had when you attended your first rock concert, or the chills you get when you hear your favorite song. We will give you the bass that makes your insides vibrate and the guitar riffs that will make your ears bleed. Yes, it really IS all about rock.

It will give you the full update on what is hot this season and what you should look out for.

We picture this genre like it is - a litte bit of chaos and a little bit of rythm.

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Rock music, where did it all begin? Believe it or not, a black man who played black music founded rock music in the mid 50's. This man was Chuck Berry. Rock became popular almost over night, and was accepted with open arms by the younger generations.

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funeral for a friend conduit Seminal Welsh rock band Funeral For a Friend, with past releases on Atlantic, Trustkill and Victory, now release Conduit, the sixth album of their career on The End Records. FFAF chose to work with producer Romesh Dodangoda again after their success partnering on the band’s last couple of records. While Davies-Kreye, described the reasoning behind the title Conduit as ‘the experiences of being in a band’ he has summarized the album style as ‘a post-hardcore record that is not afraid to drop into some hardcore for good measure’.

the virginmarys king of conflict The Virginmarys’ music blends the dynamics of platinum class ‘grunge’ (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees) with the spikiness of punk and the attention to detal and honestly of prime British rock of the early 1970’s, before the wizards and capes overcame the attack and dynamic. Their debut album, King of Conflict, was recorded live in the studio with Toby Jepson producing and Chris Sheldon (Pixies, Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, etc) at the mixing controls to capture the band at their thrilling best.

heaven’s basement filthy empire Remember this name now. Heaven’s Basement could be one of 2013’s breakout bands and they’re ready to share their debut album, Filthy Empire. The John Feldmann-produced effort is an upbeat rocker, featuring the new single ‘Fire, Fire.’ Other standout cuts include ‘Welcome Home,’ ‘Nothing Left to Lose’ and ‘Lights Out in London.’ Singer Aaron Buchanan says of the effort, “We want to bring back that element of danger. We don’t want to be a safe band.” The group has already startetmaking inroads in the U.K., and are ready to bust open the doors in the States.

foals holy fire Detrot. Willesden. Olympos, on the Greek island of Karpathos. ‘The inside of our skulls.’ These are the places that make up Holy Fire Foals third album, their most direct and fully realized album yet. Foals have stepped up from, as Yannis puts it, ‘songs for indie clubs’ to something much, much bigger. Their third album might not sound like Depeche Mode or Nine Inch Nails, but is has much of the same ambitious spirit and grandoise aesthetic that led to those groups touching the lives of millions. This is the sound of Foals arriving.

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buckcherry confessions Buckcherry doesn’t play by the rules, and they certainly don’t intend to start anytime soon. Merging punk grit, gutter attitude, honest storytelling, and razor sharp hooks, the group remains rebellious in every way. There’s no formula. There’s no agenda. There’s no filter. There’s no stopping. There’s just rock and roll and Confessions embodies that in every way.

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rob zombie Rob Zombie has discussed how much he loves his current lineup, so that makes his next release one of the most highly anticipated discos of 2013.

Zombie continues to try to balance his film and music careers, and with Lords of Salem in the can, he can now focus on his next studio record.

Zombie stated in an interview that he has three objectives - dark, heavy and weird - and would like to stick with that idea, with songs that don't fit the description being tossed aside. So get ready for some more rock mayhem from Zombie and his band.

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pearl jam Last year was one of reflection for Pearl Jam, as 20th anniversary release for the Ten album, a book, a film, and even their own festival filled the docket. But by years end, the group had amassed quite a bit of material behind the scenes. Drummer Matt Cameron recently stated that he was recording his drum parts prior to leaving for a Soundgarden tour in November, leading to speculation the disc was almost done. With 2009's Backspacer, the band saw a creative rebound, so their next disc comes with a lot of anticipation.

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simon neil is often seen without his shirt

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on stage. his torso is full of tattoos, where the one that means the most to him, is dedicated to his wife.

For many artists who come from Europe, Canada or Australia, it may be difficult to find the same success in the United States as they have gained back home. In fact, artists can often feel as though they are beginning all over again when they properly release an album stateside and come to tour America. It sounds like an uphill battle, but for a band as optimistic as Glasgow’s Biffy Clyro, this is a great opportunity to share their work with a wider audience. interview by rachel lux & gianna hughes / edited by kristin seem

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the band consists of simon neil (lead vocals & guitar) and twin brothers james (bass & vocals) and ben johnston (drums & vocals).

Nearly three years have passed since the - We know what we like to hear, but I think it’s release of Only Revolutions and they are now important when you’re in a band to judge the more than ready for fans to hear new music. feeling of the music and how it makes you feel Opposites – a double album that not only and whether it hits those spots for you, fronttakes chances with modern music-consumer man Simon Neil says. The hard work is really habits but sonically, as well. The band spent done when we’re doing the recording, and the about four months recording in the Village mixing’s a bit easier, because you just get to Studios in Santa Monica, California, with hear the product of your hard work.

Garth Richardson, who worked with them on their last two records. During the last new sound finishing touches, they don’t spend much time They have been moving forward to complete focusing on the technical aspects. this kind of large-scale rock record. With interesting additions to some songs, like a mariachi band, tap dancer and kazoos, and with it being a double record, they’ve just gone over the top as much as they could.

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-90 percent of the time, it’s worked out, so it’s It’s sad how people nowadays tend to have biff y vs. creativity been going really well. It’s still definitely a rock a shallow relationship to music when they The band spends most of their time home record; there are still really heavy moments. are only digging one or two songs by a band, in Scotland where they write songs far away But I think we’ve gone slightly weirder. We and Biffy Clyro are determined to make from the creativity killing record companies just decided to go down as weird a path we the fans fall in love with every single song and people worrying if the songs will work for can. It’s exciting. It definitely feels like this is on the record. radio. It’s a tough business, so originality is as far as we can push this side of our band. So important to keep up with the trends.

I think after this record, we will go though - We want to make music that people still a reassessment of how we can work on our listen to in 10 years and they go back to, and - We grow older and get more experience and albums. But it feels good so far. We are really just have a favorite record, rather than just I think that’s how we keep it as new and fresh buzzing for people to hear it. a song that you like for a week. It’s kind of as possible, because I genuinely feel we are opposite of why we make music. It should honest in every record we make, and we’re be entertainment, but it should also be representing ourselves in that moment in time. hopefully a life-long friend. It’s what all the best bands do. That’s what we hope to achieve.

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bi y clyro preforming on the main stage at the isle of wight festival in 2010. with big names like sir paul mccartney and jay-z it's, the band is more than happy to join the festival family.

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apart has been present, but they will never forget that they are best friends doing it. We can all get a feeling of what this is like on the new record.

- I think the first disc on the record is kind of about those moments, where you just think, “Fuck it. Why am I bothering?” It’s easier to just not do certain things. Not all related to the band, but sometimes it’s easier to just walk away from things and take the easy way out because some days you can’t face the challenge of certain things. The second disc is the exact opposite of that. It’s like we have to stick together, and we can get through any problems as long as we stick together.

Especially being in a band – things kings of Their fi rst single “Stingin’ Belle” is an anti- go away at a certain point, and it’s so easy to love song about those moments where you’re forget why you’re doing it in the first place. just wanting to make things better and has a nice contrast between the rapid-fire guitar In concept, Opposites, is built as though and drums, and the vocals being a lot more you are standing at the axis in the present mellow. They feel it’s important even when moments; you can either move backward music sounds so brutal, that it should have toward the past or forward to the future. With some kind of beauty in it. songs like “Black Chandelier” this will be an album that’ll provide Biff y Clyro with state- The stinging belle is kind of a woman scorned. side success that has so far been all but illusive.

It’s about wanting to be there for things – it’s wanting to do the best I can, but basically my The album was released 20th January 2013 and shortcomings show through in doing that. I is available for download at iTunes. think musically, it’s a good idea of where the record’s going in terms of the scale of it. It’s got bagpipes on it, which is a bit ridiculous.

It’s exactly what we wanted: the duality of the anger and as always the pop melodies, because that’s what we’ve always loved in music, right from when we were very young.

opposites The three band members have been friends since they were 6 years old, and have been through a lot together. They have had both good and bad moments. The feeling of drifting

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We’re not up for retreading old ideas, and give a glimpse into how they were making this sometimes that annoys our older fans because album, and to say thanks to people for having they want to see a return to our earlier records. patience with them.

But unfortunately, it’s not honest to do that.

It’s not real to do that. We are different people, - We wanted to them to see hopefully the and it’s basically about being true to yourself. honesty in what we’re doing… To want other people to get involved and come and see your During record sessions they decided to set up a band and start to dig your band – you’ve got live-streaming web cam so that the fans could to care about it more than anyone. I think it see how a record was made. They wanted to was important to represent how much work we’ve spent on it. Sometimes you can make a record that’s quite intense, and some days you want to burst into tears, and some days you’re just having the best day you’ve ever had, so I think it’s also important that people can see the highs and lows of it.

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bergen bon jovi Bergenhus Festning April 16th

oslo the killers

imagine dragons

Telenor Arena March 1st

Rockefeller April 16th

the gaslight anthem

bon jovi

Rockefeller April 4th

Valle Hovin May 21st

copenhagen the gaslight anthem

black veil brides

Vega April 3rd

Vega April 19th

imagine dragons Vega April 18th

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stockholm biy clyro

black veil brides

Berns March 3rd

Klubben May 20th

the gaslight anthem

bon jovi

Berns April 5th

Stockholm Stadium May 24th

imagine dragons Debaser Slussen April 15th

gothenburg the gaslight anthem Tradgaarn April 6th

malmĂś the killers Telenor Arena March 2nd

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As long as rock ‘n’ roll has been around it has been glittered with icons that have changed the landscape with their own signature sound, techniques and equipment. From Elvis to Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix to “Dimebag” Darrell, they have all left their mark on the rock ‘n’ roll landscape and without any of them, we wouldn’t have the amazing music that we have today. This may not be any more true than when it comes to a guy from a little town called Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Born with the name of Saul Hudson, we know him for transcending time and turning everything he touches into musical gold. interview by tina hall & aaron manogue / edited by kristin seem

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slash at the academy in

manchester. there is no doubt that this rock god was born for the stage.

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We all know him for writing and playing some of the most memorable guitar riff s in the history of rock. We know him for transcending time and turning everything he touches into musical gold. Ladies and gentlemen, we know him as Slash.

Since 1986, when Slash brought together Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Axl Rose to form one of the most legendary bands of all time Guns N’ Roses, Slash has been a solid force in the rock n’ roll scene.

Learning life six strings at a time, Slash accredits rock for making him who he is today.

“Rock teaches you how to adapt to anything and to expect the unexpected. It toughens you up and makes you capable of dealing with a lot of the inconsistencies that life brings you.

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It really sets you up for anything that can possibly happen; you just have to learn how to roll with it,” Slash said.

with Velvet Revolver which featured Slash, Duff, Matt Sorum, Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth) and perennial bad boy, lead man Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots). Just as the music industry has changed since the early 90’s when Slash and GNR were on top of the rock n’ roll world, and Slash too has clearly evolved to stay successful.

slash’s snakepit After leaving GNR, Slash started and was part of other bands who found great success such as Slash’s Snakepit as well as more recently

“The music industry been going through some massive changes. The most important being the advent of the Internet and fi le

saul hudson is known for his aviators, top hat and gibson les paul. he collabroated with gibson on 11 signature les paul models, where one of them was his own.

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sharing and also digital. We are still adapting to that, but that’s a major change. It’s hard to say where it is headed in the close future.”

Slash’s fi rst solo album proved that he was staying up with the times. The self-titled album features numerous mega powers of today’s rock scene including M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold), Myles Kennedy (Alte bridge), Lemmy (Motorhead) and even legendary shock rocker Ozzy Osbourne joined in the fun.

“I think with the songwriting, my main focus was to write the songs the way that I hear them. A lot of times when you collaborate with

someone, you have to alter your own ideas to work with the other person, and the two original ideas go in different directions. The singers are all so talented and creative that I did not have to push anybody. They all came completely prepared and did an amazing job.”

up for Ozzy at some point when Guns N’ Roses was fi rst starting out. I did end up opening for Black Sabbath with Velvet Revolver. I really enjoyed touring with Ozzy on this last supporting run that I just did. He is a great, iconic performer, a good person, and obviously a great musical talent.”

touring with ozzy Slash continued his connection with Ozzy by being part of Ozzy’s tour to promote his latest album, Scream. We asked him if he had ever dreamed of touring with Ozzy as a kid and what it was like to share the stage with another rock legend.

“I never really dreamed of touring with Ozzy when I was a kid, but I think I wanted to open

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The greatest thing about a talent such as Slash is that you can always count on something new coming out soon. And it’s never something that is less than excellent. He has an endless work ethic with an unmatched set of skills of the guitar so every time there is word that he is working on another project, the rock n’ roll world is abuzz with anticipation.

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foo fighters Dave Grohl reveals the plans for a new Foo Fighters album.

ozzy osbourne Ozzy talks new album with Black Sabbath.