Hot off the email from Sheila… thanks for writing a review and sending it to us! Just simply had to write about the Nickelback gigs I have been to see last Thursday and Friday evening. Now not sure if any of you guys have had the opportunity to catch the band but, if not DO SO, I could do nothing else but watch in totally amazement, this band are truly AWESOME. They gave one of the strongest performances I have ever seen from a band, any questions one might have had about their ability surely on these performances just has to be quashed. Its been like 15 years since I have seen a performance with so much raw energy and power, from the opening track ‘Woke Up this Morning’ until the final close of ‘How You Remind Me’ these guys never once lost the plot, they know what an audience wants and really give it to them. Anyone who has any questions still as to their ability to stand alongside great bands, just go, get the albums and listen to them, see them live and then tell me you don’t like Nickelback. I was totally blown away from their shows on Thursday evening at the NEC 10,000 other people felt the same from the reception the band received. The following night in Cardiff there was even a more powerful response, just when I thought they could not have gone down any better hell they blew the CIA roof off. I am not easily impressed by new bands but these guys are true professionals. Also check out Default who were supporting Nickelback, just awesome, it was the first time I have had the opportunity to see Nickelback and I just long for the next tour, I just had the greatest of times. Default this is their first UK gigs and they almost blew my socks off to be honest, what a great supporting act, it may not seem it but I was totally speechless for 24 hours after the show. My heart pounding still, hearing almost gone, but was it worth, you bet.

We’ve been posting up a few news stories with the best things about Christmas and 2002, no? But the worst? Here’s the top 5 worst things about Christmas, according to Luke, the dude behind all our regional radio and club promotions here at Roadrunner. 1 The weather 2 The total commercialisation 3 The crowded shops 4 The lift music style versions of Xmas carrolls they play in shops 5 The fact it only lasts for a day And of course #6, you just know that your well meaning Grandma will give you the S Club Juniors CD, instead of the Slipknot ‘Disasterpieces’ DVD instead. A shameless plug? Humbug.

Remember we wrote earlier about Nickelback and the US Billboard Award nominations? The results are in and congratulations are in order. Nickelback (with How You Remind Me) scooped the following awards: Hot 100 singles group/duo of the year Hot 100 single of the year Hot 100 airplay single of the year Top 40 track of the year Congratulations to all involved with Nickelback!

Chatting about Christmas with Chris from Chimaira… So, what are your top 5 records this year? 01. Glassjaw – Worship and Tribute I love this album from beginning to end. A great follow up to their debut lp. 02. Dredg – El Cielo This album wasn’t going to be in my top 5. I witnessed them live for the first time in December. They were amazing live and won me over. 03. Hatebreed – Perserverence AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH PERSERVERENCE!! 04. 30 Seconds To Mars – Welcome To The Universe When I want to get away from metal and fly to the Milky Way, I put this album in. Go Leto. 05. Superjoint Ritual – Use Once and Destroy Whiskey, Weed, and Valium…The receipe for a rippin album. What are you guys up to for Christmas? Chimaira is hard at work on our follow up album to P.O.O.E. We’re also doing our annual Chimaira Christmas show on the 22nd. Besides all that, I will be spending time with loved ones and enjoying the fact that I’m home right now. Decided how to spend New Year’s Eve yet? I’m not exactly sure where….but I’ll be drunk. Confess. Do you have any New Year resolutions? It wouldn’t hurt to lose some pounds. I’m a porker. If you could say one thing to your fans at the end of 2002, what would you say? It means the world to us to get the support we’ve received. Be prepared for the new album… and see you on tour! Perhaps most importantly, what’s the ideal Christmas gift? A naked sheep and an IPOD. What more do you need to know.

MOTHRA, the new project featuring guitarist Mikey Doling (ex-SNOT, SOULFLY), bassist Tumor (ex-SNOT, AMEN), drummer Ray Mayorga (SOULFLY), guitarist Levon Sultanian (ONESIDEZERO), and vocalist Jason Radford (ONESIDEZERO), have posted three full-length MP3s at this location. The tracks available for download are as follows: 01. Nothing Left To Do 02. Burnt Offerings 03. So Softly MOTHRA are tentatively planning to play several shows in the Los Angeles area in January/February. blabbermouth.net

Johnny Kelly, the drummer for Type O Negative, has announced 2 New York shows with Earl’s Court, his Led Zeppelin covers band. The 2 shows are: December 14 – Coney Island, New York (Peggy O’Neils) 15 – Bay Ridge, New York (Wicked Monk)

Catching up for Christmas with Myron of the Dirty Americans… new D-Am album hitting June 2003. Q – Top 5 albums of the year and why? 1. The Eminem Show 2. White Stripes 3. Queens Of The Stone Age 4. Foo Fighters 5. The Cult (I think this was released this year) Cuz they all know how to keep it cool… Q – Christmas plans? Rehearsing for the new album. Q – The ideal Christmas gift? A remote car starter for my Jeep, it’s fuckin freezing here in Michigan and I hate getting into a cold car. Or an electric toothbrush. Q – How will you see the New Year in? We’ll all be at a private party that Kid Rock’s new DJ (Paradime) is throwing in Detroit. Q – Any New Year resolutions? No more resolutions! Q – An end-of-year message? We’re coming back soon so buy stock in Guinness.

Courtesy of our U.S office comes this little interview update with Rumblefish… Upon speaking with guitarist Jason DeCosta Monday afternoon (Dec 2), here is the outcome: Roadrunner Records: Where are you right now? Jason DeCosta: Right now, I’m in West Hollywood. I’m not gay, but this area is actually called ‘Boystown.’ It’s funny, cuz the guy doing our sound, his grandma used to sell real estate around here. I told here, í¢ä‰åñI live on Fountain and Fairfax.í¢ä‰åŒ Her first question was, í¢ä‰åñare you gay?í¢ä‰åŒ (all laugh) RR: So, where exactly is Fountain and Fairfax? Jason: About a block and a half away from Sunsetí¢ä‰åŒ_ya know, where the Rainbow, the Whiskey, where all those places areí¢ä‰åŒ_and the Roadrunner office too. RR: Well, they are all homos in the LA office. And of course, that is meant in the nicest possible way. So, what time did you get up today? Jason: Ahhh, I was up at about 8 this morning. RR: And what have you accomplished thus far? Jason: Ran a bunch of errands, and was about to take a nap before you called. Our A&R guy Kevin is doing this new postcard, so I had to do some photoshop stuff for that. Then, we have this live tape from our show on Friday which came out spectacular – we sound like the Bee Gees singingí¢ä‰åŒ_ (rude interruption) RR: You sure you’re not a homo? (go to laugh track) Jason: So I had to get him (Kevin) a tape of that, then get money from our business manager because our rent is late, then pick up my guitars from the Roxy (where Rumblefish played this past weekend), then here to lay down and wait on your call. RR: And come the end of the day what will you have accomplished? Jason: Probably will have been to the Rainbow for a couple drinks, then to this club on top of the Roxy (called On The Rox) where I have it worked out to get free drinks, then rehearsal, then home, then back on the computer for some designs, then hit the sack around 4amí¢ä‰åŒ_ RR: Onward and upward. Your band’s name, RUMBLEFISH – there has been some changes in the spelling, and at one point even possible talk on changing it entirely. So, the spelling, is it ‘UL’ or ‘LE’ (i.e. RumbLEfish or RumbULfish)? Burn it in our brainsí¢ä‰åŒ_ Jason: ‘LE.’ It’s final. I guess the 2 other bands that had trademarks on it agreed to let it go. It’s Rumblefish, with the ‘LE’. RR: And where does that name come from? Jason: From the movie ‘Rumblefish.’ RR: And I would have heard of that where??? Jason: It’s a cult type movie, with Matt Dillon. RR: You sure you’re not a homo? Jason: HAHA! Well, I’m not the one that came up the name, it was our singer! I don’t know if he’s a bone smuggler, I hope not. Chicks seem to like him, and he seems to like chicks. RR: Everyone, make note í¢ä‰åäóì Rumblefish with an ‘LE.’ So, Jason, what do you know about Roadrunner? Name 5 bands. Jason: That we like? Spineshank, Soulfly, Fear Factory, for sure Slipknot, andí¢ä‰åŒ_.ummmmí¢ä‰åŒ_I like downthesun. I thought that was a really great albumí¢ä‰åŒ_also the Anyone albumí¢ä‰åŒ_and there’s also a band I really like that you no longer have, Earth Crisis. RR: Earth Crisis? You sure you’re not a homo? Purely, purely kidding. Great band, and enough with those types of comments alreadyí¢ä‰åŒ_SO, you guys played your first live show since you started and finished the recording of your debut. What was Friday’s show (11.29) like? Jason: Yeah, 9 months it has been. The show was insane. 800 people through the door, and the club can only fit 450. I had a load of calls the next day from people who couldn’t get in í¢ä‰åäóì I told them to buy on ticketmaster, but it was only a $10 tix, and they were charging a 4 dollar service feeí¢ä‰åŒ_ RR: The homosí¢ä‰åŒ_ticketmaster, that isí¢ä‰åŒ_and I promise that will be the last time. Jason: So I didn’t know what to tell them (those who couldn’t get in)í¢ä‰åŒ_But the show was insaneí¢ä‰åŒ_. Dino from Fear Factory, Roy from Soulfly, all the Spineshank guys were thereí¢ä‰åŒ_ RR: And the music? Jason: We rocked 8 songs. Opened with í¢ä‰åñOpen Wound,í¢ä‰åŒ ended with a track called í¢ä‰åñIgnorance.í¢ä‰åŒ It’s the hardest track on the albumí¢ä‰åŒ_we could play it with Slayer! RR: Okay. two more questions for the day. First, what’s the tattoo situation? Jason: Me? I only have one tattoo, and I got it when I was 17. I always wanted more, but never didí¢ä‰åŒ_all the tats and body piercings in the world can’t cover up the truth í¢ä‰åäóì if you’re lame, you’re lameí¢ä‰åŒ_if you’re cool, you’re cool. But do what you like. RR: And last, most classic tattoo: MOM or an anchor on the forearm? Jason: Ahh shití¢ä‰åŒ_I think mom. I think Mom in a heart. We thank Jason for his time, patience, humor & truth. More to come from the world of Rumblefish.

Just a heads up that the new Spineshank record will be hitting shop shelves sooner than you thought. The release has been pulled forward a month, to mid May. More info to come…

The Murderdolls are currently touring the UK… arriving just a couple of days ago. Metal-Sludge.com are publishing Wednesday 13’s tour diary through the dates, and here’s his first entry. The flight- So we flew from Chicago to the UK, which was a 8 hr flight. It was a usual flight for us surrounded by screaming babies, retards and guys that look like potential terrorists. We flew coach, which was tight and cramped especially our drummer the Ghoul who is fucking 8 feet tall, you’d think the big wigs in label-land would fly us first class. It was a long restless flight but we finally arrive in London at 10:30 in the morning. The tour bus- Holy shit…I’m not lying we have a pink fucking bus. It looks like a Malibu Barb tour bus…people who called us fags before will definitely do it now. This looks like the Tigertailz custom bus. The show- We played in Wolverhampton England and were greeted on arrival by a shitload of our fans at 2 in the afternoon. Now the fact that we have a pink bus is hard enough but some kids found it cool to write all over our bus with a fucking sharpie. Now we have a pink bus with fucking graffiti. Well, minus the bus incident the show was fucking great 800 kids singing every single word to our dumb 3 chord songs. I always scout the audience hoping I’d see someone from Wrathchild UK, Tigertailz, or Zodiac Mindwarp. I actually heard that Roky Shades from Wrathchild UK was at our first London show…and just think he could have signed my copy of Stakk Attak…oh well maybe one day… until then I’ll just be happy w/ my Tuff autograph poster. Aftershow- Typical aftershow shit, we get cleaned up, eat, drink, break shit, and talk to the fans. I passed out around 3:00 am… Until next time I’m outta here like Contrabands career… Ps: why didn’t you ask the SR71 guy about their drummer being in Childs Play? I’m not part of the rat race. If you wanna see what you’re missing, make sure you check out the Murderdolls VIDEO page for 2 exclusive live video clips of the Murderdolls on their previous dates here with Papa Roach.