Happy B'day Kurt Cobain

"Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, 'nirvana' means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that's pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock" 
Kurt Cobain

                A Brief Bio of his life and career 

Kurt Donald Cobain was born on the 20th of February to Wendy and Donald Cobain. They were a happy functional family up until his parents divorced when he was eight. Kurt became very sad and withdrawn. His parents both remaried soon later. He was swapped in between families constantly between 1975 and 1984. Kurt and Chris (Krist) met up a year later when Chris moved to Aberdeen. Later on Kurt started taking guitar lessons but didn't receive his first guitar until his forteenth birthday. Krist graduated from high school but Kurt dropped out halfway through 1985. In 1989 Kurt's great uncle commited suicide and not long after that another one of his uncles commited suicide, it was apparent that suicide went back a long way in Kurt's family history.

Towards the end of 1988 Nirvana released the 'Love Buzz/Big Cheese' single and at the start of '89 released their first album, entitled 'Bleach'. This recorded for only $606.15 After that was released they toured around for a while and released the 'Blew' EP and the 'Sliver' single. Nirvana toured around a bit more until Kurt wrote the hit 'Smells like teen Spirit' and the signed with Geffen Records. They went on to release their second album 'Nevermind' which first debuted at #144 on the Billboards. The did a massive European tour promoting the album for a while and toured a little with Pearl Jam and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers as well as playing 'Saturday Night Live'. After that their album almost immediately went to No. #1 and suddenly they were the biggest band in the world (Maybe not quite).

Nirvana did a world tour starting at Toronto. 'Hormoaning' was released in Australia and Japan. On the 24th of February Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love on a cliff overlooking Waikiki beach, Hawaii. Nirvana continued touring but Kurt collapsed in Belfast due to stomach problems towards the end of June in '92. On the 18th of August Frances Bean Cobain was born. Nirvana played 'Lithium' at the MTV awards and won 2 awards.

'Incesticide' was released on the 15th of December '92. 'In Utero' recorded in two week early '93. 'In Utero' released in September. Nirvana began the 'In Utero' tour October '93. In November '93 Nirvana record 'MTV Unplugged'. In February '94 Nirvana started a European tour but it was ended early to a supposed 'accidental' drug overdose (Kurt was said to have popped over 60 pills, followed by Shampagne which he knew was a lethal combination). Kurt's friends and relatives started to really worry about him and pleaded him to straigten his life out and get of the heroin. They finally convinced him to check into a Rehab centre but after a few days he scaled the wall and escaped

Courtney hired a private detective and they searched everywhere for him. Kurt Cobain was found dead in his Seattle home due to a self inflicted gun shot wound when an electrivian came to install a security system in April '94.

Sure, Kurt Cobain wasn't exactly a role model but his music spoke out to the so called "Generation X" Nirvana shocked the world after the release of Nevermind with the huge hit "Smells like Teen Spirit" but nobody was a shocked as much as Kurt himself. He didn't want to be an idol to millions and he didn't handle the fame very well. He soon started abusing heroin and other drugs. He claimed he used them to numb his stomach pains more than anything else. Kurt became very moody and depressed and very soon his colleagues and friends started to get sick of him.

Kurt often refered to himself as the 'Pisces Jesus man" Kurt was in fact a pisces and showed a lot of these qualities: Sensitive, artistic, prone to addiction to drugs/alcohol, romantic, kind, gullible. These pretty much summed Kurt up. Sure it's sad he went and shot himself, but we were lucky to have him and his music for as long as we did, and we should be thankful for that.

If Kurt Cobain hadn’t committed suicide when he was 27, he’d be 46 years old today. Happy B'day.

My travels around INDIA

Check photos from my trip around India. First time I was a part of a documentary team shooting a film about Andaman and Nicobar Islands and second time with Guns N' Roses on their tour around India:)
Amazing memories.
Check them on my Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151288000272596.448887.687662595&type=1

Sebastian Bach ABachalypse Now CD/DVD(cover Katarina Benzova)

COVER by KATARINA BENZOVA

The iconic rock vocalist Sebastian Bach is releasing his first solo live CD and DVD package. Entitled “ABachalypse Now” this double CD / DVD includes never-before-seen footage from 2012’s GrasPop Festival in Belgium, the full never-before-seen Hellfest set from France and the fully-remixed and remastered Club Nokia show from Los Angeles (originally broadcasted on AXS TV).

Sebastian Bach commented, “We have included three recent concerts and the footage is totally kickass! It’s remixed and remastered for full audio and video quality. The performances and energy of the crowds are killer throughout the DVD and you really feel like you are at the shows.”

Tracklisting:

CD 1: Live at Hellfest, France 2012
1. Slave to the Grind
2. Kicking & Screaming
3. Here I Am
4. Big Guns
5. Piece of Me
6. 18 & Life
7. American Metalhead
8. Monkey Business
9. I Remember You
10. Youth Gone Wild

CD 2: Live at Club Nokia, Los Angeles CA 2012
1. Big Guns
2. (Love Is) a Bitch Slap
3. Piece of Me
4. 18 & Life
5. American Metal Head
6. Monkey Business
7. I Remember You
8. TunnelVision
9. Youth Gone Wild.

DVD Contents:

Live at Hellfest, France 2012

1. Slave To The Grind
2. Kicking & Screaming
3. Here I Am
4. Big Guns
5. Piece Of Me
6. 18 & Life
7. American Metalhead
8. Monkey Business
9. I Remember You
10. Youth Gone Wild

Live at Nokia, Los Angeles CA 2012

1. Big Guns
2. (Love Is) A Bitch Slap
3. Piece Of Me
4. 18 & Life
5. American Metal Head
6. Monkey Business
7. I Remember You
8. TunnelVision
9. Youth Gone Wild

Live at Grasspop, Belgium

1. Kicking & Screaming
2. Dirty Power
3. Here I Am
4. Big Guns
5. 18 & Life
6. American Metalhead
7. Monkey Business
8. I Remember You
9. TunnelVision

Bonus Music Videos:

Kicking & Screaming, TunnelVision, I’m Alive

This product is on preorder. It will be released on March 26, 2013.

www.sebastianbach.com

How to Help: A Guide to Animal Shelters and Dog Rescue

I went to a dog shelter today.As I can't adopt a dog as Im always on the road and was looking at the ways to help.You can bring them food, blankets or just take this little guys for a walk and show them some love.They will show you some love in return and its the best feeling in the world:)For those who are looking for a way to help here are some tips:)

With so many stray and abandoned dogs reaching animal shelters each year, these institutions are always looking for help. Learn how to find your local shelter and help out with your canine friends.

Helping save and care for dogs can be a very rewarding experience. The joy and love that these four-legged friends bring into our lives is invaluable. Not all dogs receive the love back that they are capable of bringing, though. Every year, shelters are overrun by abandoned and unwanted dogs. Giving back to help these down on their luck canines is a productive and worthwhile endeavor, and it’s easier than you think. Here’s how to get involved:

Finding an Animal Shelter

Finding a dog rescue shelter shouldn’t be too hard. Shelters are located all across the country, and many are listed in yellow books and online directories. Before looking for a specific animal shelter, consider what kind of shelter you would like to help. Many shelters exist for specific breeds, sizes of dog, and situations. If you are looking for something specific, know that before going in. Once you know what you are looking for, you can use a variety of tools to find the right shelter. Here are some online resources:

• The Shelter Pet Project
• Petfinder
• Animal Shelter
• ASPCA Find a Shelter
• http://600milliondogs.org/

How to Help

There are many ways to help your local shelter and disadvantaged dogs in your area. The first, and most obvious, is to adopt a dog yourself. Dog rescue shelters are great places to find new pets that, with a little love, will blossom into great companions. Many people are wary of adopting a dog from a shelter because of the potential for health and behavior issues, but with the right research, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Of course, not everyone has the capability to help a shelter by adopting a dog. If you’re seeking a slightly less involved way to help, there are plenty of other ways to give aid to shelter dogs. One is to give your time. Research online to see if any animal shelters are looking for volunteers, and see if you fit their needs. The ASPCA is usually looking for volunteers, and is a good place to start.

Finally, if you can’t adopt a dog or volunteer your time, you can still find ways to help. Animal shelters will always welcome a donation of food or other dog supplies that you might have.

by www.hartz.com

GUNS N' ROSES: 2012 London Concert To Air On VH1 CLASSIC Next Month

GUNS N' ROSES' June 2012 performance at London, England's O2 Arena will be broadcast on VH1 Classic on March 9 as part of a five-hour GN'Rspecial. The night will kick off at 8:00 p.m. with a one-hour, all-GUNS N' ROSES video block hosted by "That Metal Show"'s Eddie Trunk, followed by the London concert and a rebroadcast of the Axl Rose "That Metal Show" episode. 

The big-screen premiere of GUNS N' ROSES' 2012 performance at O2 Arena was scheduled for last October at select theaters in Europe but was "postponed" by the band's management.

A trailer for the concert film, which promised to show the grand finale of the band's U.K. tour in "stunning" HD quality and Surround Sound, can be seen below.

GUNS N' ROSES has been added to The Governer's Ball festival, set to take place June 7-9 on Randall's Island in New York City. They join the likes of KANYE WEST, KINGS OF LEON, GRIZZLY BEAR, ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, KENDRICK LAMAR and many others. GUNS N' ROSES will also co-headline this year's edition of Rocklahoma, which is scheduled to take place over the weekend of May 24-26 at the Catch the Fever Festival Grounds in Pryor, Oklahoma. The event, now in its seventh year, will also feature sets from KORN, ALICE IN CHAINS and many more older and newer acts.

In addition sole original member Axl Rose (lead vocals), the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal,Richard Fortus and DJ Ashba, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardistsDizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.


by www.blabbermouth.net

GN'R headlining ROCKLAHOMA music festival

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Rock” is the motto for Rocklahoma. Rocklahoma organisers are excited to announce that Guns N’ Roses will perform.

“We’ve waited seven years, and we’re finally bringing the #1 most requested band by the fans to Rocklahoma, the one and only Guns N’ Roses!” said Joe Litvag, Executive Producer of Rocklahoma for AEG Live. “Couple that with the undisputed legacy of Alice In Chains, the unforgettable live spectacle of Korn and the hits of Bush, and we’re in store for a truly legendary weekend.”

The full lineup is actually not too bad if your tastes lean on the hard rock side:

Main Stage:
Guns N’ Roses, Alice In Chains, Korn, Bush, Cheap Trick, Bullet For My Valentine, Papa Roach, Skillet, Hollywood Undead, Steel Panther, Asking Alexandria, Ratt, Halestorm, Device (with David Draiman), All That Remains, Escape the Fate, Dokken, Clutch, Motionless In White, Big Wreck, The Sword, Young Guns, Thousand Foot Krutch, Otherwise, Red Line Chemistry, Mindset Evolution, Heaven’s Basement, We As Humans, American Fangs, O’Brother, and more.

Second Stage:
The Last Vegas, London, Wildstreet, Mad Max, Bai Bang, Lynam, De La Cruz, The Glitter Boys, Black Tora, Sunset Riot, Firstryke, Ragdoll, Hessler, Switchblade Scarlett, Nasty Habit, Sister’s Doll, London's Dungeon, Rhyme, Emerald City, Wicked, Down n Dirty, Station, Ruff Justice, Mystery, and Fist of Rage.

General Admission and VIP packages for Rocklahoma go on sale Friday, February 22 at 10am CST at www.rocklahoma.com

Searching for Sugar Man documentary

I saw an amazing documentary few days ago.His music touched me deeply and can't get it out of my head ever since.I think I already know all the lyrics as well:)Here is a review so you know what it is about.Def something you should add into you MUST SEE list.Really an unbelievable story.

Rodriquez. Don't know the name? Join the club. Hailed as the next Bob Dylan when former Motown chief Clarence Avant signed him in the late 1960s, the Detroit based musician (full name Sixto Rodriguez) had two albums released, in 1971 and 1972. Rave reviews failed to translate into wow sales. It didn't help that this painfully shy son of a Mexican immigrant often sang and played guitar with his back to the audience. Rodriquez drifted quietly into oblivion. Except in South Africa, where his protest songs struck a chord with a nation struggling under apartheid. But Rodriquez never got wind of his success there or received any royalties. Rumor had it that he was dead, and had maybe even shot himself on stage.

For these reasons and more, Swedish director Malik Bendjelloul set out to track down this enigma and fill in the blanks of his astonishing story. The result, Searching for Sugar Man, is a fresh and unexpected documentary that plays like a nail-biting mystery and a ticket to ride the whirlwind where art and commerce do battle. The title derives from the 1970 song, "Sugar Man," that Rodriquez wrote about a drug dealer and his world. But don't do an Internet search into Rodriquez and his lyrics until you let this movie work its way into your mind and heart. Just hearing the likes of "I Wonder," "Inner City Blues" and "A Most Disgusting Song" should light a fire under the film's thrilling soundtrack. But it's getting to know Rodriquez himself that gives Searching for Sugar Man its emotional force. It'll get to you.

Review by Peter Travers for www.rollingstone.com