Former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson says that he is “really honored” to be involved in the making of the upcoming feature-length documentary “This Was My Life: The Story Of Nick Menza”, which is described as an “exploration of the late MEGADETH drummer’s life.”

Menza, who was a member of MEGADETH from 1989 to 1998 and appeared on four of the band’s studio albums, suffered a heart attack and collapsed during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino “Pag” Pagliari in their band OHM: in May 2016 at the Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Ellefson reflected on Menza’s passing in a new interview with The Claw’s Corner. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Of course it’s sad when someone leaves the planet ’cause we miss ’em. And I hear this footage with Nick, I see this footage, I hear interviews with him and stuff, and it’s like he was sitting right here. So I feel that same thing. But how Nick died is… If you knew Nick and you lived on a tour bus with him, like we did, he would always say stuff like that: ‘Oh, I’m gonna blow up on stage. I’m gonna blow your minds.’ He’d say crazy stuff like ‘Jesus was a hologram.’ He would just say shit to just get a rise out of people and piss people off — just to see how far he could push it. So when he died on stage, I’m not gonna lie, I was kind of, like, ‘Man, he freaking got away with it. He did it. He really did it.’ And it’s interesting, ’cause when he passed, he passed right away. They tried to revive him, and he was gone — I mean, he was probably gone before he hit the floor. And God bless him. That was it. Chris Poland told me about it, and I won’t tell too much, ’cause a lot of the stuff’s in the movie, but he told me the story about how they were kicking ass and having a great night and ready to start the next song, and then Nick was not there. It’s a great story, and I don’t wanna say really any more than that, because the story is great. The movie is gonna be really, really, really cool, and I’m really honored to be a part of it and to help tell the story of Nick’s life and help out the family with grieving. They’re kind of going through that whole process and get to the other side of it.”

“This Was My Life” will be the first-ever film to memorialize Menza’s legacy and celebrate his life exactly how it was. It is described in a press release as “an unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummers of all time, authorized by the Menza family. From his childhood all the way through to the end of his life Including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic ‘Rust In Peace’ lineup.”

“This Was My Life” will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick’s archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.

The cover photo for the film was shot by Los Angeles music photographer Alex Solca and designed by Brazilian artwork designer Alcides Burn of Burn Artworks.

Renowned quartet GOV’T MULE — led by Grammy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes — has been forced to postpone its previously announced spring 2022 U.S. tour after Haynes fractured his scapula while on vacation in Costa Rica.

The month-long trek in support of GOV’T MULE’s critically acclaimed, chart-topping blues album “Heavy Load Blues” was scheduled to kick off on April 6 in Syracuse, New York and end on April 30 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Earlier today (Wednesday, March 30), Haynes released the following statement via social media: “Hi everyone,

“While on vacation in Costa Rica with my family this past weekend, I slipped on a wet surface and landed very hard on my shoulder. Upon arriving back to the States and seeing a specialist, it’s been confirmed that I fractured my scapula. Unfortunately, this means that GOV’T MULE’s Spring Tour, which was set to begin next Wednesday, must be postponed.

“I’m truly heartbroken and so very sorry that this happened. I don’t think anyone was more excited to get back out on the road than I was.

“We’re working to reschedule these tour dates and will have updates as soon as possible. The doctors are confident that my shoulder will be healed in time for MULE to hit the road this summer, as planned.

“Thank you for understanding and see you all very soon!

“With love, Warren Haynes”.

“Heavy Load Blues” (Fantasy Records), GOV’T MULE’s first-ever blues album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart upon its November 2021 release, marking the band’s third album to enter the Billboard charts at the top spot in their storied career. “Heavy Load Blues” also peaked on the Amazon Best Sellers in Blues chart and Music Connect’s Blues Albums chart, among many other charting positions. The 13-track album, produced by Haynes alongside engineer and co-producer John Paterno (Elvis Costello, Michael Landau, Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Williams, LOS LOBOS), encompasses an even mix of Haynes’s originals, such as “Heavy Load”, and revered covers, including their rendition of the Tom Waits classic “Make It Rain”, a groovy arrangement of the Junior Wells standard “Snatch It Back And Hold It” and more originally made famous by the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Ann Peebles, Bobby “Blue” Bland and THE ANIMALS. A deluxe edition featuring additional studio and live tracks, including another Haynes original and covers originally by SAVOY BROWN, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and more, is also available now. Though technically considered a studio album, “Heavy Load Blues” was recorded live in the studio at The Power Station New England on analog tape, utilizing vintage guitars, amps and other equipment to capture an authentic sound.

GOV’T MULE — Haynes, Matt Abts (drums), Danny Louis (keyboards, guitar, and backing vocals) and Jorgen Carlsson (bass) — returned to the stage in January for their first shows of 2022 at Island Exodus 12, the band’s annual destination “concert-cation” event at Jewel Paradise Cove Resort in Jamaica. The five-day extravaganza (January 16-20) saw MULE perform three full shows along with performances from DAWES, THE WAR AND TREATY and Ron Holloway for a truly memorable experience.

Photo credit: Jay Sansone

pic.twitter.com/iD8F6vU9xh
— Warren Haynes (@thewarrenhaynes) March 30, 2022

Billy Idol has canceled his previously announced appearances at the Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta and at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

Earlier today, the 66-year-old rocker released the following statement via social media: “Due to my continued sinusitis infection, I’m disappointed to announce that I must cancel my appearance at both Shaky Knees in Atlanta on April 29 and at Hard Rock Live in Florida on May 1.

“When we confirmed these shows I was sure that I would have recovered in time to play, but unfortunately this infection has proven pesky and lingering, requiring some more time before I get back out on the stage.

“To all the fans who were looking forward to these gigs, I’m very sorry to miss them. Cancelling shows is not something I do casually.

“We’ll no doubt come back to Georgia and Florida another time soon. Sincerely, BFI.”

Idol’s decision to scrap the shows comes less than two months after he pulled out of his previously announced tour with JOURNEY in order to undergo surgery for a chronic sinus infection.

Billy, who burst on to the scene in the 1980s, was scheduled to support JOURNEY on the “Freedom Tour 2022” beginning on February 22 and ending on April 5, after which TOTO was slated to fill the opening slot. As a result of Idol’s cancelation, TOTO is now supporting JOURNEY on the entire tour, which will end on May 11 in Hartford, Connecticut.

In December, Billy canceled his appearance at the third “Above Ground” benefit concert after catching a “respiratory cold.”

Last September, Idol issued a new EP, “The Roadside” — his first new release in nearly seven years — via Dark Horse Records. Produced by Butch Walker (GREEN DAY, WEEZER) and featuring Idol’s longtime lead guitarist and co-writer Steve Stevens, “The Roadside” was conceived, recorded, and mixed almost entirely under the shadow of the pandemic.

For 45 years, Idol has been one of the faces and voices of rock’n’roll, with an artistic resume to match the brilliant light of the image. First as the camera-ready frontman for GENERATION X, between 1977 and 1981 Idol emerged with three albums that made positivity, emotional depth, and high pop synonymous with punk rock. In 1982, Idol embarked on a remarkable transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated clubland throb, wide-screen depth and drama, rockabilly desperation, the bold and simple lines of punk, and rock’n’roll decadence.

Due to my continued sinusitis infection, I’m disappointed to announce that I must cancel my appearance at both Shaky…

Posted by Billy Idol on Wednesday, March 30, 2022

ALL THAT REMAINS drummer Jason Costa has left the band’s current U.S. tour in order to “deal with some personal matters.” He is being temporarily replaced by Anthony Barone, who has previously played with BENEATH THE MASSACRE and SHADOW OF INTENT.

Earlier today (Wednesday, March 30), ALL THAT REMAINS released the following statement via social media: “ALL THAT REMAINS unfortunately has to announce that our drummer Jason Costa has to head home to deal with some personal matters. We love him and respect his decisions, we look forward to having him back when he is ready. We would like to thank Anthony Barone for jumping in at the last minute. Make some extra noise for him when you come to a show.”

ALL THAT REMAINS’ current U.S. tour is celebrating the 15th anniversary of “The Fall Of Ideals” album.

The band was recently rejoined by bassist Matt Deis. Deis was previously in ALL THAT REMAINS between 2003 and 2005, and also a member of CKY between 2005 and 2019.

Matt stepped back into ALL THAT REMAINS as the replacement for Aaron “Bubble” Patrick who announced his exit from the band last September.

Patrick joined ALL THAT REMAINS in 2015 following the departure of Jeanne Sagan.

ALL THAT REMAINS’s “The Fall Of Ideals” 15th-anniversary trek kicked off on March 12 in Worcester, Massachusetts and will run through May 20 in Hartford, Connecticut. MISS MAY I, VARIALS and TALLAH are serving as support. ALL THAT REMAINS is performing “The Fall Of Ideals” in full on this run.

“The Fall Of Ideals” was reissued last November. The best-selling title features such fan favorites as “This Calling”, “Six” and “The Air That I Breathe”. In addition to the wide release, the band has exclusive colored vinyl variants with deluxe packaging available only at the band’s webstore.

In 2020, ALL THAT REMAINS vocalist Philip Labonte confirmed to the FM99 WNOR radio station that the band has commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2018’s “Victim Of The New Disease” album.

“Victim Of The New Disease” was released via Fearless in North America and Eleven Seven in Europe.

ALL THAT REMAINS guitarist Oli Herbert was found dead in October 2018 at the edge of the pond on his Stafford Springs, Connecticut property. He was reported missing by his wife and his body was found by police face down at the edge of the pond where the water was only a few inches deep. He has since been replaced by Jason Richardson, who has previously played with BORN OF OSIRIS and CHELSEA GRIN.

Posted by All That Remains on Wednesday, March 30, 2022