Ross 'The Boss' Friedman was a pioneering force in both punk and heavy metal, best known as a founding member of The Dictators and Manowar. His powerful playing, unmistakable tone, and uncompromising spirit helped shape generations of musicians and fans around the world.
I grew up in western Pennsylvania and still love it to this day, but my soul opened up passing through the Southwest on the way to California. The spiritual pull - a combination of scenery and good weather - has kept the rock star of Poison fame tied to Southern California ever since.
The Boss is heading back to the Golden State. Yes, that's right: Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band are set to perform three big shows in California. In the Bay Area, Springsteen performs April 13 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Tickets go on sale at noon Feb. 20, ticketmaster.com. Springsteen also performs April 7 and 9 at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles area. Tickets go on sale at noon Feb. 21.
"When I went to Norwalk [California] the day that I met James Hetfield and [original Metallica bassist] Ron McGovney, I didn't know what was gonna happen," Mustaine said. "Nobody did. But I had my style, and it was based around the riff."
It became an underground hit and, crucially, drew the eyes of major labels. After releasing an EP on Stiff Records in 1976, Television signed with Elektra and began work on their debut album, 1977's influential Marquee Moon. The record became a foundational release in post-1970 alt-rock, heavily influencing the post-punk and new wave scenes that flourished in the US in the 1980s and becoming a touchstone album for generations to follow.
Ringing in the news is his new single " Traffic Lights," which was co-written with Thom Yorke and Josh Johnson, and gets an animated video by Nespy5euro. Check it out below. "Something about it reminded me of Atoms for Peace, so I sent it to Thom," Flea said in a statement, adding that the Radiohead frontman is "just the warmest, free flowing, jamming motherfucker."
There's plenty to enjoy in Amber Martin and Shannon Conley's production of The Carnaby Street Girls regardless of whether you're old enough to remember the British Invasion or just discovering that there was a whole lot of great music that came out of England in the '60s. Playing last weekend at The Cutting Room in Kips Bay, the two powerful singers had a great time, singing together and separately, with a repertoire of fab tunes that were hits for a number of swinging British gals.
Avatar have announced a Spring 2026 US tour with Fleshgod Apocalypse and Frozen Soul. Dates kick off April 16th in Sacramento, California, and run through May 20th in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. The itinerary includes stops in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York City, as well as festival appearances by Avatar at Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple.