Author: planetsixstring

In a new interview with “Waste Some Time With Jason Green”, former GRIM REAPER guitarist Nick Bowcott recalled how he nearly tried out for a fellow New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band more than four decades ago. “I actually applied for the IRON MAIDEN [guitarist slot],” he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). “I went to see IRON MAIDEN [when they were still] unsigned. And when they advertised for a guitar player [in 1979], I sent — I think I sent [GRIM REAPER’s] demo tape called ‘Bleed ‘Em Dry’, which is gonna be released by a label very shortly, ’cause we found some okay versions of the cassette and we remastered it. And I’ve still got the letter from IRON MAIDEN which was handwritten with a rubber stamp, saying, ‘Hey, thanks for the application. The position is already filled.’ And it went to Dennis Stratton. And I kept that letter.”

He continued: “It’s funny, all those years later, I’m friends with [IRON MAIDEN drummer] Nicko McBrain, and I haven’t shown him that letter yet, but I found it recently, and so I posted it on Facebook, just ’cause I thought it was funny.”

Stratton was a member of MAIDEN for less than a year, but he nonetheless made a vital contribution to the band’s classic first album.

In recent years, Bowcott has worked at Marshall amps (for over two decades) and Jackson/Charvel/EVH in the marketing and artist relations departments. He’s also had several books published, including ones co-written with METALLICA’s Kirk Hammett and the late PANTERA guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. He now works for Sweetwater as a writer and videomaker.

Bowcott’s GRIM REAPER bandmate Steve Grimmett (vocals) has spent the last decade and a half fronting STEVE GRIMMETT’S GRIM REAPER, with which he has released one EP, “Alive And Kicking” (2011) and two full-length albums, “Walking In The Shadows” (2016) and “At The Gates” (2019).

In 2014, Bowcott joined STEVE GRIMMETT’S GRIM REAPER on stage, marking the first time Steve and Nick performed together in more than 25 years.

Photo courtesy of Sweetwater

BATHORY has been inducted into the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame.

The pioneering black metal band entered the Hall on Thursday (May 27) as part of the 2021 class, along with Py Bäckman, Björn Skifs, Timbuktu and Lisa Nilsson.

For an artist to be elected to the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame, 20 years must have passed since their debut album in order to “guarantee an enduring historical value.” They must have made a lasting contribution to Swedish popular music, inspiring innovation and development on the musical scene. The jury also pays attention to diversity, making sure to include a variety of genres.

“The basic idea behind the Hall Of Fame is to pay tribute to the diversity of Swedish music and to build bridges between generations,” Charlotte Wiking, manager of the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame, explained at a 2015 press conference.

The Swedish Music Hall Of Fame is situated on Djurgården in Stockholm by the ABBA museum.

The Swedish Music Hall Of Fame is part of an active and dynamic cultural life, allowing both the Swedish population and international visitors to share the constantly evolving cultural heritage that our musical tradition provides.

Funding for the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame is provided by the nonprofit fundraising foundation Svenska Musikskattens Hus. Operations are funded primarily from entry fees, donations and sponsorships. Other sources of income include conferences, courses and retail. Any surplus goes in its entirety to the educational operations and scholarships that promote an active and dynamic cultural life through music.

BATHORY mainman Thomas “Quorthon” Forsberg was found dead in his apartment in Stockholm, Sweden on June 7, 2004. The 39-year-old, widely considered to be one of black metal’s founding fathers, reportedly died of heart failure.

More than 13 years later, Quorthon’s father and owner of Black Mark Records, Börje “Boss” Forsberg, passed away after a long and serious illness.

Although Quorthon’s blood relation with Boss was staunchily denied — for reasons that are unclear — throughout BATHORY’s lifespan, the musician’s real identity was confirmed after his tragically early death.

BATHORY’s career-spanning box set, “In Memory of Quorthon”, was released in June 2006 via Black Mark. The package contained three CDs, one DVD, a book and a poster.

In a 2010 interview that Börje “Boss” Forsberg gave to Sweden Rock Magazine, he spoke openly about his son, how BATHORY came to be and all the unreleased BATHORY material that was still in the vaults. The magazine also published the last photo taken of Quorthon. This was all done with the blessing of Quorthon’s family.

ENTOMBED was among twelve artists who were selected as the inaugural inductees in the Swedish Music Hall Of Fame in February 2014. Other previous inductees include Yngwie Malmsteen and EUROPE.

Congratulation to Bathory for being elected to the Swedish Music Hall of Fame. Next time its Dark Funeral! Hail the goat!
Btw, have you heard the cover we did back in the day of “Call From The Grave”? pic.twitter.com/dH5YkS6NQb

— Lord Ahriman (@Lord_Ahriman) May 27, 2021

In a new interview with Australia’s Blunt magazine, former SEPULTURA frontman Max Cavalera reflected on the group’s groundbreaking 1996 album “Roots”, on which he and his bandmates collaborated with the Brazilian Xavante tribe.

“It’s good that it’s still appreciated to this day,” he said. “I think ‘Roots’ was controversial; a lot of people loved it and a lot of people hated it. [It was] one of those divisive records. I like that about it — that it was not going to please everybody. It’s going to piss off some people.

“I think ‘Roots’ is a courageous record with some really cool stuff in it,” he continued. “The tribal stuff, and going to record with the Xavante, it’s stuff that’s influenced even the new bands like GOJIRA. [Their track] ‘Amazonia’, that’s totally influenced by ‘Roots’. It’s cool to see bands being influenced by that, people showing respect to the record.

“I think the record’s aged very well,” Max added. “It’s one of those records that just sounds great when you put it on right now. It’s not where I am musically; I’m more into stuff like [my extreme metal side project] GO AHEAD AND DIE at the moment. But I am proud of it.”

“Roots”, along with 1993’s “Chaos A.D.”, is considered SEPULTURA’s most commercially successful release, having been certified gold in 2005 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for U.S. shipments in excess of 500,000 copies.

In a 2016 interview with Metal Hammer, KORN singer Jonathan Davis said that he felt “Roots” borrowed heavily from his own band. He said: “I thought [it] was a big compliment, but I also thought it] was fucked up. That was just a blatant KORN rip-off, and I had it out with producer Ross Robinson about that, because he just took our sound and gave it to SEPULTURA. My young brain couldn’t handle it. But they were one of our biggest influences, so I guess they get a pass. And that’s a classic album, so it’s all good.”

Later that same year, Max told the “Démentièllement Vôtre” show on Québec City’s CKRL 89.1 FM radio station that he disagreed with Davis’s assessment of “Roots”. “I don’t see it like that,” he said. “I think especially the sound of KORN, in my opinion, with the bass, is horrible. We didn’t have that; we had a lot of low end and things that the KORN album didn’t have. So I don’t see why he would be pissed off, because I don’t see that much of a [similarity] between the two of them. Plus, KORN wasn’t the only reason we wanted to work with Ross. He had done a FEAR FACTORY demo that I really liked and had a really raw sound. And he had done a DEFTONES song on the ‘Adrenaline’ album that I really liked.”

He continued: “Saying that is like saying SEPULTURA should be pissed off at CANNIBAL CORPSE because they used [producer] Scott Burns. I’m not pissed off at CANNIBAL CORPSE; I think they’re great. ‘Cause we were one of the first that used Scott Burns, we should be mad at all the bands that use Scott Burns? That’s childish. So he’s just really being childish. And I really don’t give a shit about KORN or anybody.

“We [were] very different from [KORN]; we have own way of playing and the songs are different. Everything is different. It’s just the same guy that recorded [both albums]; that’s the only similarity.”

Davis was featured as a guest on the “Roots” track “Lookaway” — along with Mike Patton of FAITH NO MORE.

In 1996, Max exited SEPULTURA after the rest of the band split with his wife Gloria as their manager.

Finnish doom metallers SWALLOW THE SUN will release their first ever live album, “20 Years Of Gloom, Beauty And Despair – Live in Helsinki”, on July 30 via Century Media Records.

SWALLOW THE SUN singer Mikko Kotamäki commented: “Finally some good news after a year of cancellations and shitshow. We managed to play only 10 of these special 20th-anniversary gigs before the whole world shut down in March 2020 and the rest of the tour got cancelled. Luckily, we filmed and recorded one of the gigs, which we now release as our very first live album as we wait to be able to get back on stages again. Enjoy!”

About the production, he stated: “We played the whole ‘Songs From The North II’ with a string quartet — comprised of very professional musicians, two of whom played on our previous album and appeared with us on the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise in 2018. For the first time, we also asked our fans on social media to vote for their favorite songs from each album. We then played the most-voted songs from every album.”

“20 Years Of Gloom, Beauty And Despair – Live in Helsinki” will be available as a limited 2CD+DVD digipak, gatefold 3LP+DVD and as a digital album.

SWALLOW THE SUN’s latest album, “When A Shadow Is Forced Into The Light”, was released in January 2019. The disc was inspired by the tragic death of South African singer Aleah Liane Stanbridge, the musical and life partner of SWALLOW THE SUN guitarist Juha Raivio.

According to the Helsinki Times, the first of NIGHTWISH’s two interactive experiences drew 150,000 viewers, setting the record for the largest paid virtual concert in Finland’s history. Most of the viewers came from Europe and North America, but the performance was a truly global event, with fans in 108 countries purchasing tickets to the show and the box office gross exceeding one million euro.

NIGHTWISH performed in a tavern called “The Islanders Arms” built in a virtual world for two nights — Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29. On both nights, the fans experienced a one-and-a-half-hour performance, hearing songs live off “Human. :II: Nature.” for the first time ever. Each of the two nights had its own slightly different setlist.

Program agency Fullsteam Agency, Zoan, which was responsible for the technical implementation, and the management company Till Dawn They Count produced “An Evening With Nightwish In A Virtual World”, which took six months to prepare. Zoan’s crew consisted of about 30 people from seven different countries, making it possible for the fans to interact with other fans as well as experience 3D imaginative worlds built based on the band’s vision.

“This is definitely one of the coolest things we’ve gotten to do with the band,” NIGHTWISH drummer drummer Kai Hahto said. “When visuals, technology and music meet so well, it becomes a unique experience.”

Friday’s concert marked NIGHTWISH’s live debut with session bassist Jukka Koskinen (WINTERSUN), who joined the band as the replacement for Marco Hietala. Marco announced his departure from NIGHTWISH in January, explaining in a statement that he hadn’t “been able to feel validated by this life for a quite a few years now.”

Earlier this month, NIGHTWISH keyboardist and main songwriter Tuomas Holopainen said that Hietala’s decision to leave the band “came as a bit of a surprise.” He told Finland’s Kaaos TV: “Marco informed us in December last year [that he was leaving the band]. And even though he has been very open about his state and problems during the past years, it still came as a bit of a surprise for us. So it was a really tough pill to swallow. And for a few days, I was actually quite confident that there’s no coming back, that this is it. I remember talking to Emppu [Vuorinen], the guitar player, and we were, like, ‘You think this is it?’ ‘Yeah, I think this is it.’ I mean, enough is enough. So much has happened in the past. Something that broke the camel’s back, as they say. Then, after some time had passed — a few days — we started to think that it’s been such a ride of 25 years, with so many ups also, that this is not the way to end it.”

“Human. :II: Nature.” was released in April 2020. The follow-up to 2015’s “Endless Forms Most Beautiful”, “Human. :II: Nature.” is a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters, on CD 2.

Lukuisia ennätyksiä jo aiemminkin urallaan rikkonut Nightwish järjesti faneilleen ainutlaatuisen kokemuksen perjantaina 28.5. 3D-virtuaalimaailmaan sijoittunut ”An Evening with Nightwish in a Virtual World” -konsertti keräsi ensimmäisen päivän aikana ennätyksellisen 150 000 katsojan yleisön. Lipunmyynti lauantain konserttiin on yhä käynnissä, ja molemmat konsertit ovat katsottavissa lipun ostaneille 48 tunnin ajan konserttien jälkeen. Liikevaihdoltaan Nightwishin virtuaalispektaakkelin lippukassa vastaa suurta stadionkonserttia ja on täten moninkertainen verrattuna yhdenkään suomalaisartistin stream- tai virtuaalikeikkaan aikaisemmin. Konsertit ovat keränneet katsojia yhteensä jo 108 eri maasta, valtaosa Euroopasta ja Pohjois-Amerikasta.

Posted by Fullsteam Agency on Friday, May 28, 2021

Metallic hardcore legends DEADGUY will reunite their “Fixation On A Coworker” lineup to perform their first show in nearly 25 years at the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Philly. Also joining the long-awaited party on September 25-26, 2021 at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are thrashing maniacs MUNICIPAL WASTE, death metal icons IMMOLATION, old-school miscreants MIDNIGHT, avant-garde black/death assassins IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT, death metal space lords BLOOD INCANTATION, resurrected doom crushers WARHORSE, heavy metal heroes ETERNAL CHAMPION, epic doom titans CRYPT SERMON, Philly grind force DIE CHOKING and Los Angeles tech-death gnashers TEETH.

They unify an already-stacked bill featuring extreme metal legends NAPALM DEATH performing a special one-time-only set of songs exclusively from their “Harmony Corruption” and “Utopia Banished” records, while CONVERGE unleash their metallic hardcore landmark album “Jane Doe” in its entirety for the first time ever in North America. If that weren’t enough, grinding heroes PIG DESTROYER will help presenting sponsors Relapse Records celebrate the 20th anniversary of PD’s game-changing “Prowler In The Yard” LP with the first-ever performance of the record!

The entire beer lineup is once again presented by Broken Goblet Brewing (PA) with appearances from featured breweries Wake Brewing (IL), Lionshead (PA) and flagship meadery Brimming Horn Meadery (DE). Three Floyds (IN), Hammerheart (MN), Tired Hands (PA), Adroit Theory (VA), Blake’s Hard Cider (MI), Burial Beer Co. (NC), Oliver Brewing Co. (MD), Yards (PA), Hoof Hearted (OH), Attic Brewing (PA), Goldhorn Brewery (OH), Nightmare Brewing Company (NY), Cosmic Eye Brewing (NE), Zeroday Brewing Company (PA) and Soundgrowler Brewing Co. (IL) will also appear.

All remaining ticket options are on sale now, including limited “Metal & Beer” tickets, which give attendees access to special pours from all participating breweries, in addition to admittance to the day’s show. Please note: “Metal & Beer” ticket option is strictly limited to 600 tickets for each day, with only approximately 50 total tickets remaining.

Saturday, September 25

NAPALM DEATH (performing a special “Harmony Corruption” and “Utopia Banished” set)
MUNICIPAL WASTE
DEADGUY (reunion set)
MIDNIGHT
BLOOD INCANTATION
ETERNAL CHAMPION
DIE CHOKING

Sunday, September 26

CONVERGE (performing “Jane Doe” in its entirety)
PIG DESTROYER (performing “Prowler In The Yard” in its entirety)
IMMOLATION
IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT
WARHORSE
CRYPT SERMON
TEETH

For more information, click here.

HNE Recordings Ltd has just released “Questions And Answers: The Atlantic Anthology 1987-1989”, a new three-CD collection from iconic FOREIGNER singer Lou Gramm.

Gramm had been recording with Rochester, New York-based band BLACK SHEEP since the early 1970s. Releasing two LPs for Capitol, Gramm met his future bandmate and songwriting partner Mick Jones in 1975 when BLACK SHEEP opened for SPOOKY TOOTH in Rochester. Jones was looking for a singer for his new band in 1976, and BLACK SHEEP having split at the end of 1975, Lou was free to audition for Mick’s new group, FOREIGNER. Releasing their self-titled album on Atlantic Records in 1977, and featuring solid gold rock classics as “Cold As Ice” and “Feels Like The First Time”, FOREIGNER were an instant worldwide smash. Going from strength to strength, the band hit a commercial peak in 1984 with the “Agent Provocateur” album and the chart-topping power ballad “I Want To Know What Love Is”.

Perhaps choosing to return to a simpler rock format, Gramm released his debut solo album, “Ready Or Not”, in 1987. Produced by Pat Moran with Gramm, it featured the hits “Midnight Blue” and “Ready Or Not” among a collection of songs that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on a FOREIGNER record. Having come from a very musical family, “Ready Or Not” is very much a family affair, featuring contributions from Lou’s brother Ben Jr. on drums and his father Ben Sr. on trumpet. The core of the band was Lou’s former BLACK SHEEP bassist Ben Turgon, who make a significant songwriting contribution to the album, plus guitar hero Nils Logfren. Lou also found time in 1987 to record a track for the soundtrack of teen horror flick “The Lost Boys”.

After returning to FOREIGNER for 1987’s “Inside Information”, Lou released his second solo album, “Long Hard Look”, in 1989. Capitalizing on the success of his debut, it was produced by Peter Wolf (famed for his production and arrangement work for Frank Zappa, HEART and Kenny Loggins), “Long Hard Look” built on the foundations set by Lou’s debut. “Just Between You And Me” was another huge smash, making No. 6 in the U.S. Hot 100, followed by the single “True Blue Love”. The album concludes with a cover of THE SMALL FACES’ “Tin Soldier”.

Although Gramm only recorded two solo albums for Atlantic, a third disc gathers together some of his Atlantic-era rarities, including two versions of “Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys)” from the aforementioned soundtrack. “Ready Or Not” is represented by a “Rock Remix”, an “Extended Dance Remix” and an “Instrumental Remix”. Hit single “Midnight Blue” was issued in various formats, including a very collectible transparent blue 12-inch single, which featured an “Extended Remix” of the track. A single edit of “True Blue Love” has been selected from “Long Hard Look”. To promote Lou’s 1987 debut, Atlantic Records released the very rare and highly collectible LP, “Questions And Answers”, a promotional album distributed to radio stations featuring Lou interviewed by Dan Neer as he discusses the genesis of the “Ready Or Not” record, and his career to date, in 1987.

Track listing:

Disc One: Ready Or Not (1987)

01. Ready Or Not
02. Heartache
03. Midnight Blue
04. Time
05. If I Don’t Have You
06. She’s Got To Know
07. Arrow Thru Your Heart
08. Until I Make You Mine
09. Chain Of Love
10. Lover Come Back

Disc Two: Long Hard Look (1989)

01. Angel With A Dirty Face
02. Just Between You And Me
03. Broken Dreams
04. True Blue Love
05. I’ll Come Running
06. Hangin’ On My Hip
07. Warmest Rising Sun
08. Day One
09. I’ll Know When It’s Over
10. Tin Soldier

Disc Three: Single Versions / Questions And Answers (1987-89)

01. Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys) (Vocal Edit)
02. Lost In The Shadows (The Lost Boys) (Vocal Lp Version)
03. Ready Or Not (Rock Remix)
04. Ready Or Not (Extended Dance Mix)
05. Ready Or Not (Instrumental Remix)
06. Midnight Blue (Extended Remix)
07. True Blue Love (Edit)
08. Questions And Answers (Unbanded – Promo Interview Album)

Former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK’S PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing was the featured guest on BBC’s “The Rock Show With Johnnie Walker” during the “Rock God” segment. Downing picked Jimi Hendrix and stated about his choice: “I first saw Jimi at Coventry Theatre way back in 1967, and what an amazing night that was. I was lucky enough to see Jimi no less than six times, including his two appearances at the Royal Albert Hall [in February 1969]. And yes, I was out there, at the stage door, autograph hunting. I was really lucky — Jimi arrived, and I managed to get his autograph, which was a real treat.

“I absolutely must tell the story about the Isle Of Wight festival where Jimi was performing [in August 1970]. Myself and a friend cunningly worked our way back to the dressing room area, which was outside, but Jimi, Noel and Mitch were in a caravan that they were using for a dressing room. And me and my friend, we hinged the window up and there they were, the three of the [JIMI HENDRIX] EXPERIENCE around a table with a couple of ladies. And myself and my mate, we managed to get a drumstick from Mitch and a Coke bottle that Jimi had just finished drinking a beverage from, and that was a real highlight of my whole life.”

He continued: “Jimi could absolutely stir any audience up into a complete frenzy; they would jump from the balconies and they would rush the stage. And I know, because I was one of those fans that did just that.”

Widely recognized as one of the most creative musicians of all time, Hendrix’s influence with his genre-defying mix of blues, funk, soul jazz and R&B still impacts musicians worldwide today.

Hendrix pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. His innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion created a new musical form and his influence resonates to this day.

Jimi died of a drug overdose on September 18, 1970 at the age of 27.

Hendrix’s 1968 album “Electric Ladyland”, hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

KK’S PRIEST, which features Downing alongside Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals), guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE), will release its debut album, “Sermons Of The Sinner”, on August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records. The LP’s first single, “Hellfire Thunderbolt”, was released earlier this month.

KK’S PRIEST will play select shows to mark the 50th anniversary of PRIEST and Downing’s career as a founding member. KK’S PRIEST’s setlist will consist of PRIEST classics and new songs.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band’s upcoming 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as “a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music,” while the second was “angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties.”

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was “a key reason” he wasn’t invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton’s decision to retire from touring.

SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor says that he would “probably” take a page out of the SEX PISTOLS’ playbook by declining to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame if his band was to ever get the nod.

When the SEX PISTOLS’ induction was announced in 2006, lead singer Johnny Rotten (né Lydon) sent along a hilariously blunt (and grammatically incorrect) handwritten letter in which he compared the Hall to “urine in wine” and added: “Next to the SEX PISTOLS, rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. Were [sic] not coming. Were [sic] not your monkey.” Later he said: “I can’t accept any accolade from them — unless they offer me a shitload of money.”

The prospect of SLIPKNOT being inducted into the Rock Hall was raised during Taylor’s recent interview with Andy Hall of the Des Moines, Iowa radio station Lazer 103.3. When Andy suggested that fans had the power to get SLIPKNOT into the Hall and “right all of the wrongs of the past by also inducting JUDAS PRIEST and SCORPIONS and a bunch of other bands that deserve their spot,” Corey said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “First of all, I don’t care about that Hall, ’cause I think it’s a pile of garbage. They don’t honor anything except pop music, really, and they only really induct real rock bands when they have to cave to pressure. They disrespected so many bands over the past by putting others in before the ones that actually deserve it, that I would probably go the way of the SEX PISTOLS. I’d be, like, ‘Your Hall is a sham. I don’t care if I’m a part of it or not. You have no idea what the spirit of rock and roll is actually about. So take this and shove it up your you-know-what.’ So, that’s basically where I’m at. And, obviously, I’m not getting any brownie points, and I probably will never be nominated, but I don’t really care.”

Taylor went on to say that he doesn’t think SLIPKNOT fans “would actually care if we were in [the Rock Hall] to begin with. It’s not gonna stop us from playing,” he said. “I mean, think about it: football players, they retire and then they go [into the Football Hall Of Fame]. We’re still going. Why would I wanna go in the Hall Of Fame if we’re still killing?”

This is not the first time Taylor has critized the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Back in May 2016, the singer was asked by Loudwire Nights for his opinion on comments Gene Simmons taking issue with hip-hop acts — and other non-rock artists — being inducted into the Rock Hall. He responded: “I see what Gene’s saying, and, you know, I’m old-school guy as well; I get it. But at the same time, the more I look at what N.W.A. did, man, I mean, they influenced me, and I’m a rock and roll guy. So how do they not deserve to be in there? To me, bands like that, bands like RUN–D.M.C., it’s a different type of band, but it’s a band, man. I mean, that’s straight up. So I can see both sides of it.”

He continued: “I have bigger problems with the Hall Of Fame than some of the people who have gone in. Mine has more to do with the fact that until this year, CHEAP TRICK and DEEP PURPLE weren’t in. That, to me, is disrespectful on a whole other level. Does N.W.A. deserve to be in. You’re goddamn right they do. But did CHEAP TRICK and DEEP PURPLE deserve to be in years before they got in? You’re damn right they did. So that whole organization needs to figure out who they’re gonna honor and when, because there are still bands right now who aren’t in that should be.”

Two years earlier, Corey called out KISS over the public feud between the current bandmembers, two original ex-members and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame over the group’s long-awaited induction into the Hall in April 2014. Taylor said: “On one hand, you’re stoked being a KISS fan, but on the other hand it’s, like, ‘Can you guys just put aside your petty issues and realize that without one another you wouldn’t have been able to do this? Can you just set stuff aside and do one show for the fans of the original lineup again? And then you never have to see each other again?'”

KISS co-founders Simmons and Paul Stanley firmly rejected the idea of performing at the induction ceremony with former founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley, despite the Hall’s and fans’ wishes.

Taylor added: “Without [Frehley and Criss], the other two guys wouldn’t be where they are! And that’s just me layin’ it straight! I might not ever get a kind word from anybody in that band anymore. But I think it’s petty and I think it’s ridiculous! Figure it out! Show respect, because sometimes it’s not about you, it’s about the fans.”

Another artist who famously refused to be inducted into the Rock Hall is GUNS N’ ROSES singer Axl Rose. In an April 2012 letter to the Hall, band fans and “to whom it may concern,” Rose listed several reasons for not attending his band’s ceremony in Cleveland, including a feeling that the Hall does not respect him. In declining his own induction, he added: “I strongly request that I not be inducted in absentia and please know that no one is authorized nor may anyone be permitted to accept any induction for me or speak on my behalf.”