2016 better be ready! Much good stuff coming.

Oh damn, it's february already, that month went quick.
Unfortunately we ended 2015 and started 2016 with lots of bad news of great musicians that have died. Cancer gets everyone it seems, what a horrible disease. 
What this all tells us is that you should appreciate the time with the persons you love and that can be friends and family.
And that you should not wait with going to gigs of bands you like, since people die and bands quit every day. I still regret that I haven't seen Motörhead, David Bowie, Mötley Crüe or many other bands and musicians that I've wished I'd seen. But I know I'm so lucky and happy with all the stuff I did see live (and that's a LOT I can tell you, a lot). Will a lot of people think that I'm wasting my money, hmm maybe, but I live now, my life is now. I can wait until I can quit working when I'm 70 or so (because that's where we are heading), but why should I. I could die tomorrow, for all we know. I could die at 92 as my grandma as well, but you never know. I don't know what life has in store for me, but I'm sure to make it lots of fun with doing what I love most, going to shows and helping bands (even if it's just here and on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and wherever). Yes I could wear another shirt every day, because I bought so many shirts. But I do it for the love of that particular band and to support them as well. That one t-shirt may be the gas they need to get to the other concert or to get home. That cd you're buying might be the food they buy on the way. Or maybe it's to support their own families, because following your heart to do what you love, to do what you can't deny is running through your veins is not cheap or very wellpaid for most.
Support the bands you love, local, national and international, because they're hardworking people that get you through your days with their beautiful thoughts that has been put into music.


And there's some good stuff on the way live...woohoo..
Lagwagon is going to make the South American summer even hotter when they are visiting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia at the end of this month together with Belvedere, Mute and Adrenalized.

Strung Out is going to tour Australia with Pears for a whole month in March. 
And in the summer they'll return to Europe to play the Brakrock Ecofest and lots more festivals I presume.

Slayer, is starting a long and stagewrecking tour with Carcass and Testament in the US at the end of this month as well.

Unfortunately Peter Pan Speedrock is quitting at the end of this year. But for now they are playing a lot of shows all over the Netherlands and I guess they will add a few shows over the Dutch border as well. Their last 2 shows are at November 25th and 26th at the Effenaar in Eindhoven, NL.

Also some quite nice festivals on the way:

With ofcourse Groezrock on April 29-30 in Belgium that will have their 25th anniversary. I think that's quite an achievement for a festival. Groezrock will be headlined by Rancid. Well, I surely have my ticket already! Also Sick of it all will be there to celebrate their 30th anniversary. And Face To Face, No Fun At All, Venerea, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, Biohazard, Youth Of Today, Frank Turner will be there as well (and much more).

The line-up Jera On Air, in June in the Netherlands, is looking promising as well with Pennywise, Belvedere, H2O, Municipal Waste, Deez Nuts, Turnstile, August Burns Red and much more.

Punk Rock Holiday is looking awesome again, as, quite frankly, it does every year since I found out about this festival in Slovenia. The only problem you could have, is to get your vacation in the right month and that have saved up enough to visit this. But Even when I've never visited this festival myself (yet), I know it's worth it. Just look at this sweet line-up: 
NOFX, Descendents, No Fun At All, Strung Out, Authority Zero, Antillectual and more to come I'm sure.

More tournews and thoughts next time. I'll be quicker this time with more news and hopefully some interviews. 
But I update the concerts a bit more often than this hahaha. See you at a show soon.

Tours tours tours

As always, luckily, there are a lot of tours on the way or already happening. As an excited concertvisitor I'm happy about that. I'll give you some tours that you can expect or that are already on their way.
And since you never know what happens tomorrow, the world is a beautiful, but crazy place (and life just happens): GO when you can go to a show! If you can't find a companion to go with you: GO ALONE. You are there at a venue for one main reason and that is to see the band (and to show them your support). Also, who knows, maybe you'll make lots of new friends.

Danko Jones starts another leg of Eurotour in Germany in a few days, as he did tour the UK and Scandinavia for the excellent album 'Fire Music' last few months. He will also visit the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium on this run. 
This rock'n'roll guitarmaster is one you just have to see on stage! If this guy doesn't want to make you want to sing along to even his magic fingerwork (on his guitar I mean..I don't know anything about the rest), than no one can.







Millencolin is on tour in South America right as we speak. These Swedish skatepunkers have been around for quite a while, but that doesn't stop them from doing what they love. Making music and touring, what else, I totally understand. 
Maybe this is a one time thing or maybe they'll return next year, you'll never know, just go.

This thursday H2O will start their US-tour for their new album 'Use your voice'. 
You had to wait a lot of years for this new album, but you and I know that their liveshows never suffered because of that. I mean, the liveshows where and will always be a big positive party, where you can't get enough of.








This is it for this post. I'll give you more tours that you have to keep your eye on, in the next couple of days.

Tournews for Europe, US and AU/NZ.

First some European tournews:

Eminence arrived in Europe a week and a half ago to start their European tour. They have been to Europe a few times before, but there's a good chance you have missed them on the stage. Then now is your chance when they visit a couple of cities in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Netherlands.



Chaos Synopsis is on tour in Europe now as well and they're almost finished with their tour, but you can still catch them live in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Italy this week or hope they return to where you live soon.

The guys from Strung Out already took the plane to mainland Europe over two weeks. Unfortunately without their singer Jason, but luckily he joined them a few days later. This was a weird start of the tour, but maybe you've witnessed or even joined in on a fun karaoke night with the rest of the band on one of the first dates. Now they've already did some great shows on Jera On Air, in Luxembourg city, Paris, London and more. Versus The World also joined them halfway in Berlin, DE. I wish I could've seen them together on stage more than once this tour, but at least I'm seeing them one time this upcoming weekend. And I recommend you to go see them on one of the remaining dates here in Europe too or when they visit your country. (Versus The World will be on tour in Australia and New Zealand in August with Good Riddance).

Yes for the US are interesting tours on the way too. From september on I have some nice tours you shouldn't miss. And remember, with going to shows and buying merch you help the bands you love the most.

First up Aristocrats who started their 'Tres caballeros'-tour this week. This trio with Guthrie Govan, Bryan Beller and Marco Minneman as their members give great and funny liveshows with great musicianship. If you watched these guys once, you will come back for more. This is a treat, especially for the guitarlovers out there.

After that it's time for Krisiun, they are joined by Origin, Aeon and more supportbands on the 'Devastation of the nation'-tour. It will start in Crest Hill/IL on september the 4th. They will play in North America the whole month of september and few dates in october too.



And then Marty Friedman. Your bucketlist isn't complete if you're a guitarplayer or -lover (yes again :) and haven't seen him at least play live once. He'll be on North American soil in september as well and will give you guys over there a good amount of shows. (yes, if you love a band/musician it can never be enough, but you know what I mean). 
Don't let this master at guitar pass by without you trying to get to a show.


Australia and New Zealand, I haven't forgotten you. 
Next month, in August, Good Riddance will come your way again and they'll bring Versus The World along. I know the VTW guys couldn't be more stoked for this tour than you guys out there! Give these guys a bit of your spare time while they're there! 

Festivalseason has arrived in Europe

Yes, it's festivalseason again. At this moment I don't really like freezing away at night without sleep that much anymore. Or standing in line to take a shower or a mobile toilet. And while I can still put up my igloo tent without problems, camping is not so much my thing anymore. But it absolutely won't stop me from going to festivals if I like the line-up (my wallet stops me sometimes however hahahaha). So many other options like chalets, hostels or simply the back of a van or sometimes even a hotel. Yes it's much different than hanging out with your friends at the campingsite and more expensive unfortunately. But even if we stay 20 in our hearts forever, our bodies won't agree hihi. 
But as said that doesn't stop me from going, no way. An intimate show at a little venue can be more nice yes, but a festival is a totally different experience. Like for example Groezrock. So many awesome bands in one place. This festival is even so laidback that getting in touch with some bands is easy. I won't say all bands, but this is one amazingly fun big hangout for the bands and the visitors. I always meet a lot of friends there, so even if I go there on my own, I'm never alone. That's what I love about this particular festival.

Here in Europe we'll have Hellfest, Graspop Metal Meeting and the Hurricane Festival this weekend. There's also Jera On Air and that's where I'm going. But only for one day. Yes I want to see it hall, but ofcourse that's impossible. As I said before, here in Holland, and the same goes for a big part of Europe, we're spoiled with concerts. Even choosing is hard. For me even more since I love rock, metal, punk, ska and even more than that. 
It's still June, so this is actually just the start of the festivalseason (and it started here in Holland at Easter with Paaspop, if I'm correct).
In North America the Pouzzafest and Welcome to Rockville have just passed and this weekend there is the Amnesia Rockfest in Canada with a pretty damn good line-up. If you only needed the will to go to see a band or a festival, than I would be there.

But okay I'm really looking forward to finally see Strung Out and Lagwagon again today. And also Authority Zero and Millencolin.
By the way, I'm always looking out to get more interviews for my YouTube channel. But you have to wait a bit longer for some more. I have one interview by e-mail in the planning, so just keep an eye on my blog and you'll see a new interview-tab appear hopefully soon.

I have to go now to the festival, but I'll be back! 

Check all the new music that is waiting for you!

Yeah I know that you had to wait long for a new post. But as I tell you often: friends and family (and sleep hahaha) first!

As always lots of new stuff is coming out and a lot of things are happening. I'll tell you a few things that you should check out if you want.

Today the new single (and video) of the new album of Nuclear came out on the website of Rockaxis. I was at their studio when they were rehearsing for this new album and be prepared for some awesome and brutal stuff! 
Oh I was getting pretty impatient waiting for it to come out and that while the guys made this album pretty damn quick. Enough talking, start listening!!
rockaxis.com/metal/novedades/video-nuclear





I've told you about the Water Rats before. This is awesome punkrock with two singers (and if you didn't hear their music yet, check it here: waterrats.bandcamp.com). 

The guys have found their way over the ocean o to the UK and they are touring the UK right now as we speak. Hey, I haven't even seen them live yet, so you are crazy if you miss them on tour now! 

24-04
The Scene, Swansea, UK

26-04 
The Water Rats, London, UK

Last week the new video of Forka: 'Serra eletrica' came out as well. 

Forka is a band from the São Paulo area in Brazil and they make a mix of thrashmetal/deathmetal/hardcore and punk or however you like to call their style. But it's hard and it's good and that's what you need to remember.
This video is just a little part of what is waiting when the new cd is coming out!
Maybe there's even a little European tour waiting ;-) ;-) , keep your fingers crossed!!
youtu.be/ADm_sr8KuJE



Something different than a new cd, but surely worth your attention is the release of a musicbook. And this book is not to read, but to learn to play metal combined with samba on your guitar. The guitarist of Claustrofobia & Kroma-quartet made this book for the persons interested trying something new on their guitars: Brazilian music (like samba) combined with metal! This book might give you new inspiration for your guitarwork, so try something new: Brazilian metal for your guitar.
For more info or ordering the book, contact Alexandre de Orio here: alexandredeorio@yahoo.com.br 
or order here: www.znstore.com.br

For the punkrockers under us...it's almost time for Groezrock. (May 1-2 in Belgium). I know I got my ticket! Because man, you are always missing some good stuff if you don't visit that festival. This years line-up includes: Social Distortion, Satanic Surfers, Make Do And Mend, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Good Riddance, Frenzal Rhomb, Masked Intruder, Lagwagon, Agnostic Front, Suicide Silence, Off!, Iron Reagan, Gnarwolves, Cancer Bats, Millencolin and lots more that you can find out for yourself at the website right here:
www.groezrock.be









If you want to see some good bands, but want a smaller festival, well consider going to Jera On Air (June 19-20 in the Netherlands)! A little festival in the Netherlands in June, but every year with pretty good names! This year with great bands like Strung Out, Authority Zero, Lagwagon, Millencolin, No Turning Back and A Day To Remember as well, amongst many others.
www.jeraonair.nl

If you like to combine metal and hardcore, than wait a bit longer and visit Ieperfest (August 14-16 in Belgium), I missed a few editions, but this time I'm surely there again.
This year the line-up already includes: Sick Of It All, Biohazard, Black Tusk, Doom, Cryptopsy, Questions, Psycroptic, Entombed AD, Judge., and I can go on. Check it all here:
floodfloorshows.com











I also added a lot of new livevideos to my YouTube channel as well and if you haven't watched my interviews yet than I hope you will now. 
www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMGUAGR6zkPFzE_5-Q7YVA
I always try to get new interviews, but sometimes all the luck is with me and sometimes not. Or I simply can't get tickets for a show haha. Ah well I'm sure I'll get you some new ones soon as well as a new post, but now enjoy all the stuff I offered today now first!

Concerts, concerts, concerts

As you may have noticed, I can't get enough of concerts. Sometimes it's even hard to choose which one to go to, since here in the Netherlands you have many shows to choose from every day and I like a lot of bands hahaha. But that's part of life too, making decisions and knowing that you can't have it all.
Yesterday I was at the Scumbash, in Rotterdam (NL), which you may have noticed already if you check my YouTube-channel every once in a while too (I uploaded an Exploited-video) and I haven't seen as many bands as I wanted, but I've enjoyed Four Headed Dog and The Exploited very much. But make sure to check out Batmobile, Disturbance, Monster Magnet and John Coffey. Awesome bands. Also some other videos have been added, but here's one of the Exploited live at the Scumbash.
http://youtu.be/4AI0SZs2iX4

I have not only uploaded an interview with the guitarist and the drummer of Nuclear in January, but also an interview with the singer/guitarist of Anzol (he's also the guitarist of Hateen), so if you want to get to know a little bit more about him, check it out.
http://youtu.be/3jpXfOZth-0

I even wrote a new concertreview too as well, about the Atlas Losing Grip show I saw recently in Gouda (NL). I hope I can write more concertreviews for you guys soon. Just keep checking that concertreviews-tab to see if there's something new.

Well at least the upcoming part of the concertseason looks promising. Concerts coming up here in Europe of Kamchatka, Claustrofobia, Make Do And Mend, Lagwagon, Strung Out, The Scandals, Millencolin, Satanic Surfers, Social Distortion, John Coffey, Therapy?, Dog Eat Dog, Six Feet Under, Raised Fist and many many more. Festivalseason is about to start or already started (Scumbash) and I'm looking forward to Groezrock, Jera On Air and Ieperfest. More on my list, but it all depends on my ability to get days off hahaha.

Finally, the new addition to my YouTube channel

Remember, that I told you that I was going to add something new to my YouTube channel? Well, I didn't mean just some new videos that I made at shows, but something a bit different. 

So I've published it today and it is an interview with the band Nuclear from Santiago, Chile. 

It's not a professional thing (or not yet anyway haha), but just a DIY-thing done with my phone (although cutting the mistakes out in the editing program made the quality a bit less). 

But okay, this is just another way to help bands out with getting a bit more known to more people and hopefully you will like the bands I show you.
This is just the first interview of, what I hope, many more interviews. 
So just watch and enjoy!
http://youtu.be/PxFiwiG8FA8

And maybe you didn't notice yet, there are way more videos to watch at my channel. Back soon, with more music/bands right here!