Zeitgeist - Reflections Of The Underground

Zeitgeist e-zine menu is to the left, Zeitgeist Distro is on the right

The Jayhawks are to release their new album in April. It’s called ‘Rainy Day Songs’, and will be available on the Lost Highway label. And it includes a guest appearance from former Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon.

Deep Purple are to release a live album called ‘Perks & Tit’ through Purple Records very shortly. Recorded in San Diego, California in April, 1974, it features the following tracks: ‘Burn’, ‘Might Just Take Your Life’, ‘Lay Down, Stay Down’, ‘Mistreated’, ‘Smoke On The Water’ and a Jon Lord keyboard solo.

Uriah Heeps "Deluxe Extended Versions" of both "Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble" and "Salisbury" are out now, featuring liner notes by Dave Ling of Classic Rock magazine and new (updated) notes by Ken Hensley. And Heep vocalist Bernie Shaw's Mortice has a new song available at MP3.com:

KLOS reports that AXL ROSE insists GUNS N ROSES have not broken up despite a cancellation of several shows during their brief North American. The band plans put the final touches on the Chinese Democracy album beginning this month. Yeah, right.

Vancouver-based singer Todd Kerns, of AGE OF ELECTRIC and STATIC IN STEREO fame, has confirmed that he has been invited to audition for the lead vocalist position in a new band comprised of former members of GUNS N' ROSES - Matt Sorum, Duff McKagen, Izzy Stradlin and Slash. Apparently SEBASTIAN BACH has also auditoned.

A brand new ANTHRAX track, "What Doesn't Die", can be heard in streaming audio here:

“You don’t want the truth. You want something to stay the way YOU remember it. And if it deviates even in the slightest, you will turn on us. The band is not breaking up.” – Corey Taylor on recent reports that Slipknot are about to split.

Christian rockers P.O.D are to start work on their new album later this month. The follow-up to the hugely successful ‘Satellite’, the record is expected to feature several guest stars, including possibly Carlos Santana. P.O.D collaborated with the Latin guitar hero on a song called ‘America’ for the current Santana album ‘Shaman’.

On Dec. 31st, guitarist Kevin MacMichael of Cutting Crew died of complications from lung cancer at the age of 51. MacMichael had co-wrote and performed on 3 tracks from Robert Plant's Fate Of Nations album after his time with Cutting Crew and spent the last few years writing and producing in his home.

Styx have a host of guests on new album ‘Cyclorama’. Joining the veteran melodic rockers are Tenacious D, actor Billy Bob Thornton and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. The record is released next month.

Suicidal Tendencies are to record a new album very shortly. No further news is available, but the veteran band aim to have the record in the shops at some point in 2003.

Cheap Trick play Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall on March 12. The band have previously announced a date in London at the Royal Albert Hall on March 13.

Inme, tipped by many to be one of THE British bands of the year, are to play the following dates: Tunbridge Wells Forum January 14, Stoke Sugarmill 15, Edinburgh Venue 17, Aberdeen Lemon Tree 18, Glasgow Garage 19, Newcastle Northumbria University 21, Nottingham Rock City 22, Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall 23, Manchester University 24, Norwich Waterfront 26, Brighton Concorde 2 27, London Mean Fiddler 28, Exeter University 30, Milton Keynes Woughton Centre 31, Southampton University February 1, Bristol Station 2. Crackout will support on all dates until January 21, with Biffy Clyro taking over the opening slot thereafter. Inme will also support Feeder at Dublin Ambassador February 8, Belfast Limelight 9.

The Songs Of Hank Williams Jr. (A Bocephus Celebration) is scheduled for release on Feb. 11th and includes contributions by .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alan Jackson and many more.

Ministry have finished up the 10 tracks making up their 6th studio album their Sanctuary Records debut Animositisomina due out Feb. 18th.

I've Always Been Crazy: A Tribute To Waylon Jennings is due in March. Along with contributions by James Hetfield, Dwight Yoakam and John Mellencamp will be one of Jennings last recorded songs "The Dream."

Rock vocalist KELLY KEELING Seeking Musicians! Seeking drummer, guitarist who can play keyboards, and bassist to complete line-up for a rock band to support famous vocalist Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge, Blue Murder, Michael Schenker, Heaven and Earth, Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus, King Kobra, co-songwriter/Dokken). Serious, young, ambitious musicians/team-players only for worldwide touring. No attitudes, no drugs. Possible dates in Europe. USA festival/club dates. Prefer L.A. or San Diego area musicians, but will consider all if willing to relocate. If interested, please send bio/CD/DVD or VHS to:Sandy Serge, Serge Entertainment Group, PO Box 672216, Marietta, GA 30006-0037 USA Visit Kelly's web sites at

or Email

serious inquiries only

Legendary hard rock producer TOM WERMAN (BOC, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, more) recently copped to an album he produced but didn't think would too well, but did, "POISON’s Open Up & Say Ah. We had four Top 10 singles. It was a difficult album to make. I didn’t think it was that good. It was digitally recorded so it sounded really thin. We worked hard on it but it did much better than I thought it would. They were an honest band. CC had behavioral problems but they all played well. We had people come in the studio and do things with them but they played their own instruments."

A release date has finally been set for the Liddell, Rush and Thrall release on Z Records. The album entitled "The Law" has finally been scheduled for release on April 28th 2003. Musically the album is a cross between the classic Pat Thrall project Hughes / Thrall and Journey, and features Pat Thrall [Pat Travers, Asia, Meatloaf and Hughes Thrall], Billy Rush [Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes] and Tony Liddell [Strangeways, Tygers Of Pan Tang].

Pete Way's (UFO) ALIVE IN CLEVELAND is due out this year. Way's three-piece band recorded the disc live at the Revolution in Cleveland last October 4. Track list: "American Kid (What A Shame)," "Hangin' Out," "That's Tuff," "Too Hot To Handle," "Might As Well Go Drinkin'," "You & Me," "Hole/Hole 2," "I Need Her Bad," "Born Again," "Somethin' Else," "Crazy," "Hand To Hold." Clips of four songs are available at the site. Way's solo acoustic live disc, ACOUSTIC ANIMAL, is also apparently due out later this year. The disc was recorded December 19 at Andyman's Treehouse in Columbus, OH, and features Way alone on vocals and guitar. Tracks: "Paradise," "American Kid (What A Shame)," "Heaven Tonight," "Fooled Again," "Hole In My Heart," "Hand To Hold," "That's Tuff," "If You Need Me," "Hangin' Out," "Working Class Hero," "The Needle And The Damage Done." Clips from these songs will be posted to the site soon. Another release that might finally surface this year is the s/t debut from The Plot, his side project with UFO mate Michael Schenker on guitar and Jeff Martin (Racer X/Badlands/MSG) on drums. Clips of "Shakedown," "Born Again," and "You & Me" are available at the site. Finally, an entire 45-minute interview Way did last September is also available for download at the site.

Halford are to film part of their February tour of Japan for an upcoming DVD. The band have also announced a show at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California on February 7. The date should have happened on January 2, but was postponed because Rob Halford was denied re-entry into America because of visa problems.

Steve Earle & The Dukes are to play the following dates in the UK and Ireland: Manchester Bridgewater Hall March 25, Newcastle Opera House 26, Cambridge Corn Exchange 27, Dublin Olympia 29, Galway Black Box 30, London Shepherds Bush Empire April 1, Edinburgh Usher Hall 3, Glasgow Barrowland 4, Sheffield City Hall 6, Bristol Colston Hall 7.

Poison drummer Rikki Rockett has just released his first solo album. Called ‘Glitter 4 Your Soul’, it’s a covers record, including songs by the Rolling Stones, T. Rex, Alice Cooper, the New York Dolls and David Bowie. The album features guest appearances by Poison pair Bret Michaels and CC DeVille.

One time Kyuss bassist Scott Reeder is rumoured to be among the candidates for the vacant position in Metallica. The band are currently inviting selected musicians to audition, and Reeder is said to be among the handful to have been approached so far. Of course, this hasn't been confirmed by any official source.

This is an update from vocalist DOUGIE WHITE (Ex-Rainbow, current YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) "Happy New Year all. Just back from a great tour of Japan and Singapore with Yngwie. If you want to read a little about it, you can on my website:

Also there are 2 songs to download. One is "Question the God" from my proposed solo album, the other "Pray for the Dying" is from my sessions with guitarist Billy Liesegang. Have a listen people and let me know what you think. Record companies are being contacted regarding both these albums but in the meantime it gives you a wee idea of what is going on. I hope to be back on tour with YJM later this month, so come along and say hello." Regards Dougie

Check out the latest update of Elevation Station including the new archive section featuring all the artists and bands who have appeared on the site since last year. Also check out our newly designed news section. More artists/bands coming to the site later in the month. Visit the website today.

If your band would like to feature on the site please send a CD, biography and photo to the address below. Coming Soon: Elevation Station promotional compilation album featuring some of the artists and bands who have been on the site. If you would like to be considered for inclusion on this album please email

Elevation Productions, c/o Pat Fagan/Commercial Music, School of Media Office, University of Paisley Campus, Beech Grove, Ayr. KA8 OSR. UK

Puddle Of Mudd are now recording their new album with producer John Kurzweg; the band are working at a converted house in Los Angeles. Expect the as yet untitled follow up to the huge selling ‘Come Clean’ to be released during the late Spring. It’s likely to include the songs ‘Already Gone’, ‘Spin You Around’ and ‘Away From Me’.

Type O Negative are to release their new album, ‘The Dream Is Dead’ on Roadrunner in April. Produced by keyboard player Josh Silver, it’s expected to include songs like ‘Nettie’, ‘I Like Girls’, ‘Valentine’s Day’, ‘I Need Love’, ‘Anesthesia’, ‘Why Won’t You Love Me’, ‘Above All Things’ and ‘Life Is Killing Me’.

The legendary Yardbirds are to release their first new album since 1967 at the end of April. Titled ‘Birdland’, it features original members Chris Dreja (bass) and Jim McCarty (drums), plus guest appearances from several top guitarists, including Steve Vai (on a reworking of the Yardbirds classic ‘Shape Of Things), former Yardbirds member Jeff Beck, plus Slash, Joe Satriani, Brian May and Steve Lukather. The record is to be issued on Vai’s Favored Nations label. Fans can see The Yardbirds live at Twickenham Town Hall January 24, London Marquee Club 26.

Iron Maiden are to start recording their new album with producer Kevin Shirley later this month. As yet, no further information has been made available, but fans can expect a Summer release, to coincide with a whole string of live shows in the UK and Europe.

GUNS N ROSES will debut a new song on the soundtrack of Terminator 3.

Italy’s Lacuna Coil have been forced to leave the upcoming American tour with Opeth and Paradise Lost because of visa problems. They now hope to get on a US tour later in the year.

Kelly Osbourne has been voted the second worst dressed woman of 2002 by influential fashion guru Mr. Blackwell. Describing Kelly as dressed so badly, ‘now we know what happened to Ozzy’s hand-me-downs’, Mr. Blackwell cites only Anna Nicole Smith as being a worse dresser.

Paul Di’anno is to play the following UK shows: Bradford Penningtons Live March 13, Coventry Jailhouse 14, Swansea Patti Pavillion 15, Stourbridge Rock Café 16, Crewe Limelight 17, Glasgow Barfly 18, Southampton Brook 20, London Camden Underworld 21, Birmingham NEC Pavilion Halls 23 (acoustic afternoon show).

Apocalyptica are to release new album, ‘Reflections’, in mid-February. Right now, fans may download one track, ‘No Education’ (featuring Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo), at

The band start touring in March with a string of German dates.

ZAKK WYLDE is still in the studio finishing up the new BLACK LABEL SOCIETY record due out in April. Zakk is also working on the OZZY record though no release date has been announced yet. Zakk and BLS will be hitting the road in April. First stop will be Tokyo on April 17th, 18th and Osaka on the 19th with Australia and New Zealand dates to follow. In February, BLS will be shooting their new video (single not yet announced) with RobZombie. Make sure to check out the March issue of Guitar World with Zakk and Dimebag on the cover! Finally, Zakk recently worked with DEREK SHERINIAN on Derek's next solo recording. Zakk plays on three songs..."Fear of Flying"-with Yngwie Malmsteen "20 Years Gone"-dedicated to Randy Rhoads "Time to Die", The CD will be released in April. Make sure to check out the website for more;