August 3, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

Potential judge

There's been a ton of speculation as to who will be on the panel of judges for the lame-ass pop-star wannabe reality show American Idol. Everything from Simon being done, Ellen following suite, Bret Michaels' name being dropped as a possible judge and now even Steven Tyler is throwing his hat into the ring. Tyler actually told the media that he was approached by a woman from Fox with an offer from the show. While still out on the road, Tyler said it is a work in progress. Tyler said he would be honest and forthright towards the people he thinks “has” it, and being in the music biz for as long as he has been, in the capacity he has been, maybe Tyler will be more valuable to the program than Ellen was. We'll be anticipating some David Lee Roth-type “zibbity bops” from the front man of Aerosmith … that is if rehab didn't take. Maybe that should be a clause in the contract, that Tyler should take pain killers before judging, especially the first round of ridiculous crazies thinking they're stars. Who even watches that show anymore?!?

New single

New Linkin Park is out. The forthcoming album is called “A Thousands Suns” and is due out September 14th while the single is “The Catalyst” is out now! The album is being called a very different and eclectic album … something that Linkin Park is embracing as they continue to evolve their sound. This album is the follow up to 2007s “Minutes to Midnight.” You can always swing by the band's MySpace page where the single is streaming. It wouldn't be a bad idea to keep an eye there for new stuff from Linkin Park. You can also head over there to listen to some fan remixes of the song. Also, Linkin Park's single “The Catalyst” has been chosen by Electronic Arts, the video game makers, as being the lead tune for the soundtrack to “Medal of Honor.” The band will be over seas for the next few months. North American dates have yet to be announced. We'll keep you posted.

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

August 02, 2010

Podcast Update

The public became aware of Michael Finton September 24, 2009. Finton is charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to kill federal agents. He claims he is "legally innocent" because he claims he knew the whole thing was a setup.

Is he crazy? Finton is scheduled to undergo psychiatric evaluation soon to find out whether he is mentally competent to stand trial in September. He is also requesting a new attorney because the public defender appointed by the Feds regularly worked in the Federal building Finton targeted in late September, 2009.

Finton, also known as Talib Islam, requested specifically that Bishop from WMAY visit him where he is being held in Springfield for an interview ... something Finton's public defender opposed (hence the reason why the public defender requested to be removed from the case).

If you missed that interview with Michale Finton, be sure to download the podcast of the final hour of this past Saturday Session (MP3), which is now available.

Want to hear more about the interview, listen to Greg Bishop talk more about the interview on Monday's Kirk and the Crew (MP3).

Also, you can listen to just some of the local reactions about the interview which re-aired on Monday' Jim Leach Show (MP3), only on 970 WMAY, The News and Talk of Springfield.

Much more to come.

August 2, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

It's about time

We've been patiently waiting for new Filter for years, especially after front man Richard Patrick hooked up with the semi-super group Army of Anyone. Well the wait is almost over with the planned release of “The Trouble With Angels” August 17th on Rocket Science records. With a revisit to his industrial roots, Patrick brings the band back to the sounds of “Short Bus” and “Title of Record.” Rocket Science owner Kevin Day says the new album “is exciting because it's a strong return to the sonically dark jet engine growl that Filter invented and defined. ” The first single, “Inevitable Relapse” abuses the hell outta autotune and is making it's way around the Internet. Hear the first single at the band's MySpace page while fan-shot footage of the tune “Drug Boy” was captured and uploaded to YouTube. Be sure to check it out online before it's taken down!

Only time will tell

All you maggots who are waiting for brand new Slipknot, you may have to wait indefinitely. While out on the road overseas with Stone Sour, Corey Taylor told reporters that the rest of the band is still dealing with the death of bassist Paul Gray. Taylor said “none of us can even fathom what to do yet.” Taylor also went on to talk about Gray's role in the band as being extremely valuable. “Not only was he just such a big part of my life, but he was the spirit of Slipknot; he wrote most of the music. Not a lot of people know that, so I've really been trying to get the word out about him and give him the recognition that he deserves.” Taylor also went on to tell reporters that he is fortunate to have Stone Sour to help deal with the day-to-day of missing Paul. Something else that Taylor says helps him cope is that he and his wife are helping take care of Paul's family. Taylor will be with Stone Sour at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center Rock Fest August 13th along with Avenged Sevenfold, Hellyeah, Sick Puppies and many more.

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

July 31, 2010

Tune in to your three hours of influence from 4 to 7p CST only on 970 WMAY. Tonight: News on the March with Wikileaks and domestic spying ... also, an exclusive interview with Michael Finton, AKA Talib Islam. Don't forget, you can also join the chat room with live streaming video with Saturday Session's tiny chat room (available from 4 to 7 CST only). If you missed out on last week's show, be sure to check out the post for links to Bishop's documentation of the Lindsay Lohan Double Rainbow Freedom Trip!

News on the March

A prominent part of the program, Bishop covers under-reported news from the past week you may have missed out on because Obama was on "The View" or the close eye the mainstream puts on celebrity. Be sure to check out all the stories Bishop follows through Bishop's Shared Items, some of which there is not enough time to cover on Saturday Session.

One thing News on the March will focus on is the Wikileaks issue and what are the most recent developments? The mainstream attempted to cover the issue, but did they go far enough? How will, what is being called the modern-day Pentagon Papers, alter the course of the war in Afghanistan? Is there more that Wikileaks plans to release?

Also with News on the March, tune in to find out a new project the CIA and Google are taking part in. The FBI wants access to your emails without you knowing about it and there's more fallout from this year's G20 Summit. Was there blatant police abuse on the streets of Toronto? Immigration is a big issue, one that seems to be splitting the country rather sharply. Immigration must be addressed but is giving more power to the police over the people the right answer?

Operation Tripwire

In 2004, an initiative called Operation Trip wire was kicked into existence by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, a fusion between the FBI and the Justice Department. Was Michael Finton a target of that operation? Finton is being charged by the federal government of working with Joint Terrorism Task Force informants and operatives attempting to use what Finton believed to be a weapon of mass destruction to kill federal agents or employees. The bomb was a fake and the al Qaeda member Finton was working with was an undercover agent of the FBI.

That went down on September 23rd, 2009. The public became aware of Finton and another suspect falling to the same demise down in Dalas, TX ... on the same day. In the affidavit against Finton, the under cover agent tells Finton "that two or three other such attacks might happen on the same day."

Is he crazy? Finton is scheduled to undergo psychiatric evaluation soon to find out whether he is mentally competent to stand trial later this year. He is also requesting a new attorney because the public defender appointed by the Feds regularly worked in the Federal building Finton targeted in late September, 2009.

Finton, also known as Talib Islam, requested specifically that Bishop from WMAY visit him where he is being held in Springfield for an interview ... something Finton's public defender opposed (hence the reason why the public defender requested to be removed from the case).

Tonight, catch the interview with Michael Finton you will not hear anywhere else! Only with Saturday Session on 970 WMAY, the News and Talk of Springfield will you catch this exclusive interview. Did he do it? Why? How did he get in contact with the confidential human source? Is Finton planning on changing his plea from not-guilty? Are terrorist acts ever justified, in Fintons view? Don't miss this exclusive interview tonight with Saturday Session.

Contact

Greg Bishop can be contacted many different ways. Check out Bishop's Google Profile (after Session's conversation with Katherine and Google working with the CIA, who knows how much bigger Google will get) to get links and phone numbers. To call Saturday Session on WMAY, dial 217.629.7970 or email bishop@wmay.com. You can also join the video chat room with live streaming video (available during the show, 4 to 7p CST, only)

July 29, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

New album

Many critics claim they piggybacked off the quick stardom the masked maniacal nine of Slipknot grabbed with their heavy metal masked music. Nearly a decade later, the art-metal act Mushroomhead, with their unique brand of face paint and visuals, are back on the scene with a new album. Their seventh studio album has been revealed. Expect to see “Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children” on the shelves at your independent record store September 28th. Since they were founded in 1993, the Ohio based do-it-yourself band has been shocking and inspiring the metal world by headlining arenas and joining alliances with other great acts like Lamb of God, Deftones, Rob Zombie, Slayer and others!

Politics and music

With the Arizona immigration law up in the air after a federal judge put it on hold, many more artists from across the music spectrum are jumping on board for what Rage Against the Machine front man said is support of basic human dignity. In an interview with CNN about their benefit show in L.A., RATM Guitarist Tom Morello called the Arizona law a “thinly veiled soft-core apartheid.” If you head over to Sound Strike's website, you will see the growing list of artists that are on board with boycotting Arizona and the law there set to enforce the federal immigration laws on a local level. A few artists that have signed on include Nine Inch Nails, Anti-Flag, and trip-hop artist DJ Spooky. Some artists that have been on board with the boycott since Sound Strike first made their voice heard on this issue include RATM, Serj Tankian, Rise Against, Street Sweeper Social Club, Sonic Youth and even joke rockers Tenacious D. The Arizona law was supposed to be enacted today but has been put on hold by a federal judge that agreed with the Obama administration that immigration enforcement is the role of the Federal Government.

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

July 28, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

Another tour

If you missed out on seeing Stone Temple Pilots on their last tour, you may have another shot to see the band on another tour. Starting mid-September, STP will be hitting the road once again and they'll be down in St. Charles, Missouri at the Family Arena September 30th. Ticketmaster is pushing a promotion with ticket sales for STP shows where if you purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, you can download STP Live in Chicago for free. Tomorrow, STP will perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Swapping for the better

You gotta love metal family feuds. Musicians have always been kinda slutty bouncing from one act to another. It is no different when heavy metal is involved. A great example is the case of Rob Zombie and Ozzy Osbourne. Recently, Zombie took on Slipknot's Joey Jordison's drumming skills after his other drummer Tommy Clufetus left Zombie for Ozzy. This isn't the first time there has been a swap between the two groups. Back in 2006, Ozzy snagged bassist Rob Nicholson from Zombie's live band. Well, the media caught up with Zombie and asked him his thoughts on Ozzy poaching band mates from the horror rocker's live lineup. Zombie said, even thought he doesn't own anybody, “I think there's ways to do things in a respectful way and there's ways to just be shitty, and I feel that the way things have gone down lately has been pretty shitty. But whatever... What comes around goes around. But I'm just happy because every time I've lost somebody, I've gotten somebody ten times better, so I'm thankful for that.” Zombie also went on to tell Artisan News Service that the live band he has now is indeed the closest band he's ever played with … so that's an advantage.

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

July 27, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

Giving back

They keep on proving to the world why they are indeed the world's greatest and most influential rockers that have ever traveled the globe. KISS has once again broken attendance records. The make-uped rockers began their North American trek over the weekend and broke attendance records at the venue in North Dakota where they sold out the 15,000 seat venue, the first time a rock group has sold out at that venue. The band even went as far as to donate $30,000 from their ticket sales to the Wounded Warrior Care Project, a non-profit veterans organization. To add even more icing on the KISS cake, the band has announced that at venues with lawns ticket holders can bring up to four kids under the age of fourteen for free. The move is a way to make it easier for everybody to get out and enjoy KISS, even in a tough economy. Not bad for a band considered to be a throw back.

Premiers tonight

Speaking of throwbacks, remember Twisted Sister? They were the subject of censorship back in the 80s and now you can now follow the front man's family around in a new reality TV show set to premier on A&E tonight at 9 CST. Tonight's premier of “Growing up Twisted” will be two episodes back-to-back, but there will also be a special “Behind the Screen” show airing on Facebook and A&E's website where cameras will be at an exclusive viewing party featuring the main stars of “Growing Up Twisted.” Dee Snyder and his family opened up their home in Long Island to cameras to show the world how much their family is the true rock family and how the man who screams on stage and on the air is indeed the more quite one while at home. All of this is captured on the screen for your viewing pleasure by the same people who brought you “Real Housewives Orange County.”

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

July 26, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

Hometown concert

Last week, Rage Against the Machine performed a concert in L.A. to protest the Arizona immigration law. Surely many of you will disagree with the anti-establishment rockers, but they know how to get their message across ... even if they haven't put out any new material for nearly a decade. They played their hometown for the first time in a long time where they championed the cause of immigrant (even illegal immigrant) rights. The concert was organized by the organization Sound Strike which is fronted by RATM singer Zach De la Rocha. Zach held a press conference last week saying “This is not a Latino or immigration issue. This is a battle for basic human dignity.” Sadly, guitarist Tom Morello is on record saying that the first hometown concert performed by RATM in a decade will be the last concert performed by the band in North America this year. RATM has been a staple at protests where recently, at the 2008 Republican National Convention they were shut down by police and the band performed several songs through a bullhorn.

It's up to us

Musicians have always used their art and voice to get a particular message across, regardless of where that message is coming from. Whether it is from the left, or the right, or even anti-totalitarianism, music has been an outlet for protests and musicians grab hold of that power to magnify their cause even more. Korn is leading the way on shaming BP this summer during the concert season by not using BP gasoline in their touring caravan. In a recent emotional interview with SuicideGirls.com, Korn front man Jonathan Davis shared that he brought up his distaste for BP with his touring management and they suggested boycotting BP gas during the summer months. “Obviously the government's not going to do anything about it because [the politicians] make back door deals with them,” Davis said. “The bottom line is oil is our life. Our wars are fought over it. Everything is surrounded by this stupid fucking brown shit that comes out of the earth...[It's something that] everybody has a vested interest in so it's up to the people - us - not just sit by and let shit happen and depend on our government to work it out. It's on us to do something. ” The gulf gusher has been capped, but there are reports it is still leaking ... along with thousands of other abandoned wells.

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

July 24, 2010

After traveling to the desert and back, Saturday Session is on. Be sure to tune in for your three hours of influence only on WMAY dot com from 4 to 7 CST. Don't forget, you can also join the chat room with live streaming video with Saturday Session's tiny chat room (available from 4 to 7 CST only).

Download the MP3 of July 24th's Session here and don't forget to watch all the very moving daily video blogs captured on the road with Free Beer and Hot Wings' Producer Joe and Bishop.

Free Lyndsay?

For the past week, Bishop traveled with Producer Joe Gasmann of The Free Beer and Hot Wings Morning Show to document probably one of the most elaborate and ridiculously absurd radio stunts the world has ever known. Though the name of the stunt changed many times, it essentially was the Producer Joe Double Rainbow Lindsay Lohan Freedom Trip.

Here's the premise: Producer Joe would drive in a 1995 Dodge Caravan, with no AC and painted with logos from companies that sponsored the trip, all the way across the country to try to free Lindsay Lohan from her jail sentence. On the way producer Joe would pick up Bear, the crazy double rainbow guy, and eventually make it to Los Angeles. The main purpose of going to L.A. was to make the media spectacle surrounding Lohan's turning herself in even more ridiculous with Producer Joe acting like her biggest fan but the trip alone made for an incredible story!

Well, everything went off without a hitch, and hours upon hours of footage were captured. You can see daily video blogs online at Free Beer and Hot Wings' website (caution, most of the videos have strong and offensive language). The journey through the heart of American and across the blazing desert with no AC is condensed for you to see what it was really like in the car and around various scenes. After a week and 1 day of traveling to meet a viral video character and to parade outside a Beverly Hills Court House, it is time to get back to reality.

News on the March

The past week's news flew by so fast. After de-programming 60-plus hours of road from his visual cortex, Bishop will give you an overview of some of the things you may have missed out on from the last 7 days. News on the march is a compilation of stories that may have been under-covered, especially as the mainstream continues it's focus on the scandalous behavior of post-teen starlets and professional athletes. Be sure to catch all the stories Bishop covers (and some there just is no time for) with Bishop's Shared Items through Google Reader.

Free Press

Saturday Session will surely continue to discuss the issues of the first amendment. In particular, the importance of the free press. Everyone is a citizen journalist. Everyone has the right to be the press and to get up front a news conferences with cameras in politicos faces or to keep a watchful eye on law enforcement. Everyone must do these things, in order for true freedom. If you don't have the time to do it, support a local organization that does have the time, resource and patience to do it.

Turn on Saturday Session for the latest developments on the assault of a truly free press and why it is important to act now. Granted, the past few generations' media realities have been primarily controlled by corporate media, but it is not too late to counteract the poor attentive public with rich local and/or independent media content. The internet is a very useful resource ... that is sadly also under attack.

Community Access

Tonight, the Access 4 Producer's Group is holding another fundraiser in the upstairs at Broadway Nights in Springfield. Be sure to swing by for the Runway Show/Art Exhibit/Concert/Comedy Show tonight at 210 Broadway in Springfield and also support community public access. Hopefully Saturday Session will hear from Access 4 organizer Ted Keylon

Contact

Greg Bishop can be contacted many different ways. Check out Bishop's Google Profile (after Session's conversation with Katherine, who knows how much bigger Google will get) to get links and phone numbers. To call Saturday Session on WMAY, dial 217.629.7970 or email bishop@wmay.com. You can also join the video chat room with live streaming video (available during the show, 4 to 7p CST, only)

July 14, 2010

Music News from the Rock Station, 92-7 WQLZ by Bishop

Getting hitched

Not sure if this will sell more albums—hell, this could anger some of you ladies out there enough to boycott his new album. Bret Michaels has reportedly purposed to his on-and-off girlfriend of 16 years. Star magazine reports that Michaels popped the question to Krysti Lynn Gibson just after the 4th of July weekend at his Arizona ranch. Surely this will be used as a big moment on Michaels' new reality show, “Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It,” which is due out this fall.

Premium rental

It's a beautiful piece of beach-front property that could be yours month by month for a mere $40,000 per month. This three story oceanfront residence has a luxurious 4,500 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Here's what makes this rental property so appealing: this $5.1 million home was purchased back in 2003 by the one and only Ozzy Osbourne and his wife/manager Sharron. It would be interesting to see what kind of drugs Ozzy left laying around the humble abode. Check out photos of the house here.

Teaming up

After their trek across the country with the Monster Energy Drink Uproar Festival and a stop in Springfield for the Capital City Rockfest (CCRF), Stone Sour and Avenged Sevenfold will be hooking up for a jaunt overseas starting October 26th in Glasgow, UK. Stone Sour front man Corey Taylor said this bill is battling the watered-down bills where there are same sounding beats and similar songs from band after band. The mix of Stone Sour and Avenged Sevenfold will bring a truly diverse show for audiences to experience. But, we'll get the two bands first here in Springfield when they'll be joined by Hellyeah, Sick Puppies, Halestorm, Hale the Villian, New Medicine, Janus and My Darkest Days at the PCCC August 13th. Secure your tickets at the Prairie Capital Convention Center box office. By the way, Hellyeah's album “Stampeded” hit the shelves yesterday. Stone Sour's forthcoming album will be out September 7th, while Avenged Sevenfold's forthcoming release “Nightmare” will be out July 27th. Shhh ... this is still a secret, but be listening to WQLZ for your chance to not only win tickets to the CCRF, but you can also win a copy of “Nightmare” before you can buy it.

Catch the Music Minute every weekday with the Free Beer and Hot Wings Show on 92-7 WQLZ, the Rock Station.

Post Script: The music minute will be postponed while Bishop hits the road with Producer Joe to head over to LA for the Lindsay Lohan Double Rainbow Freedom Trip. Keep an eye on Free Beer and Hot Wings' website for regular updates from the road.