You remember the Workhorse Movement, who became the Dirty Americans, right? New album currently looking to be released mid 2003. Meanwhile, we have a little dirty rock ‘n’ roll music for you to check out – your first taste of their new music. Hit up the Dirty Americans music page (go to the artist section) for the goods.

Grabbed a few quick words this a.m. with Spineshank drummer Tommy Decker. Somewhere in downtown L.A., Spineshank have just finished the pre-production process for what will be their third release. When we spoke with Tommy, it was 5 a.m. Californian time and he was in the middle of writing lyrics for another new “fuckin’ heavy” song, and very aware he had to take lil Tommy to school in less than 3 hours! Workaholics. We have defined the term “pre-production” before, but for those of you not listening, guitarist Mike Sarkisyan gives his definition of what goes on during this time – “(you) go through songs, rearrange if needed, tighten up. Basically, (it’s) whatever needs done before hitting the studio and tracking.” Spineshank has been elbow deep in this process for a bit more than a week – doing just as Mike described, plus “crackin’ a bunch of jokes and pickin’ on each other everyday. Like a bunch of retards that get together and have fun. That’s what we’re doing.” And most importantly, “learning a lot,” concludes Mike. The official recording of Spineshank’s third offering starts this Monday (Oct 28), when the band hits Henson Studios (formerly the legendary A&M Studios) to start tracking.

You can never start planning ahead early enough for the Christmas Season…which is basically upon us according to all your local shops. Chris from the RR US office pretended to be Santa to scope out the following info. What are members from Stone Sour camp going to be giving this year? What are they hoping to get? The music situation on this front is as follows: Corey Taylor: records to give: Nirvana ‘Bleach’, The Vines, Rolling Stones ‘Let It Bleed’, The Hives, Local H, White Stripes. records to receive: ‘200mph’ by Bill Cosby, Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits, The Mentors ‘Up The Dose’, the 1st Cynic’s album, new Audioslave record. Shawn Economaki: records to give: Lost Prophets, Avril Lavigne, Incubus ‘Morning View’, Metallica ‘Master of Puppets’, Prince ‘Purple Rain’. records to receive: nothing – has all he wants. Jim Root: records to give: Blur ’13’, Radiohead ‘OK Computer’, Portishead ‘Live in NYC’, The Haunted ‘The Haunted Made Me Do It’, The Beatles White Album. records to receive: Rolling Stones ‘Goat’s Head Soup’, Beatles ‘Rubber Sole’, Anthrax ‘Fistfull of Metal’, Deftones ‘White Pony’, Queens of the Stone Age ‘Songs for the Deaf’. Tickets on sale now for Stone Sour UK dates in February.

Congratulations are due for Ill Nino guitarist Jardel on his upcoming addition to the Paisante family. A baby boy is due in the Spring for Jardel and Juliana. This happy news comes in the midst of their current European tour, hitting the UK with Raging Speedhorn from 26/10 – 1/11. Bandmates, friends, and family couldn’t be happier….congratulations Jardel and Juliana…

These words on the Birmingham Roadrage show (feat Killswitch Engage, 36 Crazyfists, and Five Pointe O) emailed in by Owen Bain… thanks for the review Owen, glad you had such a kickass time. “Never have I so eagerly awaited a gig, as I had Roadrage. 3 phenomenal bands, all favourites of mine, especially Killsiwtch Engage, who I have been waiting to see since the album came out! I had to travelled all the way from Surrey to Birmingham to get to the show, on my own! Damn worth it too. I got there really early, and Mike D from KsE took me inside to watch the soundcheck, where they played ‘Element of One’. This was my first taster of Howard’s vocals, and OH MYí¢ä‰åŒ_. Even just in the soundcheck I could tell that not only could he handle the hardcore the vocals but also the melodic vocals. Adam and Joel are such good musicians as they were just jamming on their own, playing some quality stuff. The Academy was quite small, but quite packed, Five Pointe 0 opened with a blistering set, that really warmed the crowd up. ‘Breathe Machine’, ‘Double X Minus’ and ‘Untitled’ sounded especially good. Daniel Strubble has amazing live vocals! Next on were 36 Crazyfists, who a lot of the crowd were eagerly awaiting. They didn’t disappoint! ‘Slit Wrist Theory’ really blew the roof off with everyone singing along, as well as ‘Turns To Ashes’ another popular song. Amongst their set they played Faith No More’s ‘Digging The Grave’ which was a very popular inclusion. Next up the band I had been waiting for. From ‘Numbered Days’ to ‘Temple From The Within’ they were nothing short of perfect. They were such a tight live band. Mike, Joel and Adam, seemed to play off the crowd’s energy and each other. It seemed as if Howard Jones had been playing with Killswitch Engage for ages, not just a couple of months! He stalked the stage like a lion. His stage presence was unbelievable, it was so intense and he didn’t let up for a minute. Tom was a demon on the drums, he is so talented. Not only did they play all of the new album, except Just Barely Breathing, they played ‘In the Unblind’ off their self titled album, my favourite song. And it fucking ruled live. Adam and Joel are seriously awesome guitarists, especially Adam with his backing vocals, and he could play the crowd so well, he even licked his guitar neck a few times, old school styly! Mike swings his bass like an axe throughout the set, he slayed, no wonder his managed to break his Thunderbird Bass in the US while playing! That was definilty THE best gig I’ve ever been to. Adrenaline did not want to stop pumping I was on a high till the next day. The night was still young and I went to the local metal club ‘XLs’ for the Roadrage after show party and got to hang out with some of KsE. Mike and Adam, are truly the nicest guys I’ve ever meet. Mike and the 5.0 bassist were hilarious to watch imitating the headbangers in the old school section. I managed to get home at 10am on the Sunday having got up at 5.30am the previous day. Well fucking worth it though. I just bought a ticket to go see them again in London.”

MURDERDOLLS just can’t keep away from the UK. The band are set for a few UK headline shows to finish up 2002. This will likely be the last time that Joey Jordison UK fans will be able to catch him before he returns to the Slipknot fold in March 2003 to write the follow-up to ‘Iowa’. Meantime, Murderdolls release a limited edition single, ‘Dead In Hollywood’ on 4th November. You’ll need to be quick, there’s only 3000 copies. You can catch Murderdolls in the following cities: Sat 7th Dec – Mean Fiddler (K!-Fest show) Sun 8th Dec – Norwich Waterfront Mon 9th Dec – Nottingham Rock City Tue 10th Dec – Liverpool University Wed 11th Dec – Newcastle University Thu 12th Dec – Edinburgh Liquid Rooms Fri 13th Dec – Sheffield Leadmill Tickets go on sale 23rd Oct and are priced 퉌£10 regionally and 퉌£12.50 in London. You can also buy online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by credit card on 0870 400 0688.

Head on over to www.FearFactory.com and check out 40-second samples of 3 new songs – music by Christian and Raymond, with lyrics from Burton.

Following on from the Ill Nino/Raging Speedhorn show at the London Astoria on November 1, Ill Nino will be hotfooting it over to Electrowerkz, for a special Total Rock Radio event. Not only will the guys be doing a special DJ set, and signing your stuff, they will also be running the ‘celebrity bar’! Hang onto your gig ticket stub for entry at a discounted price. They promise: 3 Arena’s of Non-Stop Metal Madness. Live bands through out the night, the UK’s top Alternative DJ’s, massive promotional giveaways, tons of entertainment & attractions and a show production second to none!!! THE ELECTROWERKZ – TORRENS ST. ANGEL, N1 (BEHIND ANGEL TUBE) CLUB TIMES: 9PM – 4AM ADMISSION: 퉌£10 / 퉌£8 fancy dress/members/n.u.s./Ill Nino ticket stub holders! See you at the bar.

While the Murderdolls were in Copenhagen recently, they took the time to chat to Steve Lamacq for a special Radio 1 Lamacq Live documentary on US influenced goth. Tune in to Radio 1 after 10pm on November 4th to hear it. Murderdolls limited edition ‘Dead In Hollywood’ single out November 4th.

If you’re watching TV tonight, be sure to watch out for a special Roadrage tour report featuring members of Killswitch Engage, 36 Crazyfists, and Five Pointe O – going out on the CBBC Sky Channel at 6.50pm during Newsround Lite. A longer feature will run this Sunday on Newsround Lite at 1.30pm!