WGRD 97.9 » Interviews

A Day To Remember's Jeremy McKinnon Talks New Album, Music Business, Pleasing Fans + More in Exclusive Interview

Dave Kim — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 17:29:08 +0000

A sold out Grand Rapids crowd spent their Easter Sunday (March 31) with Florida metalcore/punk rockers A Day To Remember at The Orbit Room. Frontman Jeremy McKinnon sat down with us before the show to discuss the band's new album, pleasing both hardcore and pop-punk fans, their status with Victory Records and more.

Shaffee Interview with David Draiman of Disturbed & Device

Shaffee — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:23:11 +0000

Device is set to release their debut album on April 9th. The group features David Draiman of Disturbed and guitarist Geno Lenardo of Filter. I recently had a chance to speak with David about the new album which includes appearances by Geezer Butler, Glenn Hughes, Serj Tankian, Tom Morello, M. Shadows and Lzzy Hale. I [...]

The Devil Wears Prada Talk Metal Scene, Fan Devotion + More in Exclusive Interview

Dave Kim — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:52:02 +0000

Midwest metalcore group The Devil Wears Prada have come a long way since their formation in 2005. The Dayton, OH natives have released four full-length albums, toured the globe and gained a massive and dedicated fanbase in the process. Vocalist Mike Hranica chatted with us about the band's success, the risk of overproducing records and more before their sold out show at The Intersection last Thursday (March 28).

GRD Exclusive: In-Studio Performance By Trapt Frontman Chris Taylor Brown

Shaffee — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:52:25 +0000

Chris Taylor Brown of Trapt stopped by the WGRD studio this afternoon to perform a couple of acoustic songs on my show. He played Trapt’s biggest hit “Headstrong” and a song from the band’s new album, Reborn, called “Love Hate Relationship.” Brown said it was only the second time he’d ever played the new song [...]

Shaffee Interview With Lars Ulrich – Part 3

Shaffee — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:00:48 +0000

I recently spoke with drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica about a number of topics. Because of the length of the entire interview, I’ve decided to break it up in separate parts. FOR PART 1 CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 CLICK HERE In Part 3, I ask how far along the new Metallica album is, his [...]

Shaffee Interview With Lars Ulrich – Part 2

Shaffee — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:16:23 +0000

I recently spoke with drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica about a number of topics. Because of the length of the entire interview, I’ve decided to break it up in separate parts. For Part 1 CLICK HERE. In Part 2, I ask him about whether or not performing more full albums live is in Metallica’s future [...]

Shaffee Interview With Lars Ulrich Of Metallica – Part 1

Shaffee — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:35:13 +0000

I recently spoke with drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica about a number of topics. Because of the length of the entire interview, I’ve decided to break it up in separate parts. In Part 1 of this interview, I ask him about why they decided to bring their upcoming Orion Music + More festival to Detroit [...]

Chris Hardwick Explains How One Nerd Rules Them All, Tech Industry's Future, G4 + More

Dave Kim — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:00:29 +0000

The virtual Wild West known as the World Wide Web has been somewhat of an enigma for companies to capitalize on. While almost 80 percent of the population in North America use the internet, it's been a challenge for most brands that don't have Google in their name to actually make a substantial profit and grow their presence. One individual who is breaking that trend and becoming a Renaissance Man in today's digital age is Chris Hardwick, founder of the Nerdist Podcast.

Muse Bassist Chris Wolstenholme Shares Thoughts on '2nd Law,' Personal Demons, Band Credibility + More

Dave Kim — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:06:33 +0000

U.K. rockers Muse have become one of the biggest bands in the world, selling out arenas on a regular basis. After releasing their sixth studio album The 2nd Law late last year, the trio have embarked on a worldwide tour in support of the record. Bassist Christopher Wolstenholme shared his thoughts on fans' early perception of The 2nd Law, singing lead for the first time and more in an exclusive interview with GRD.

Brian 'Head' Welch on Reuniting With Korn: 'Hearts Change and Reconciliation Is Now'

Graham 'Gruhamed' Hartmann — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:09:14 +0000

One of modern rock music's biggest talking points of 2013 is the status of Brian 'Head' Welch within his former band Korn. After surprising the 2012 Carolina Rebellion Festival by joining the band onstage for a performance of 'Blind,' Welch is now set to play several shows with Korn in 2013, including high profile gigs at Rock on the Range in Ohio and the Rock Im Park and Rock Am Ring fests in Germany.

Mark Tremonti Talks Alter Bridge, Future Solo Project Plans + More With Loudwire Radio

Sandman — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 03:00:31 +0000

The man of many bands, guitarist Mark Tremonti, will be the special guest on this weekend's Loudwire Radio show with host Mike 'Sandman' Sanders. The rocker took the time to discuss his solo band, Creed and Alter Bridge.

Testament's Chuck Billy Talks Current Tour, Touring with Metallica, Upcoming Live CD/DVD and More!

Ned — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:49:23 +0000

Time for another Metalhead Ned interview here at WGRD! When I heard that Thrash Metal legends Testament were coming to town (tomorrow in fact), I knew what I had to do…I had to somehow grab an interview with the beast known as Chuck Billy of Testament. The new album “Dark Roots of Earth,” how is [...]

Three Days Grace Look Toward Future Post-Adam Gontier

Dave Kim — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:55:08 +0000

It's been almost two months since former Three Days Grace vocalist Adam Gontier abruptly parted ways with the band he helped create 20 years ago. Despite the singer's departure, the rest of Three Days Grace decided to move forward and recruited My Darkest Days frontman Matt Walst, brother of bassist Brad Walst, as their temporary new singer for the time being. The band sat down with us during their stop at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek last night (February 13) to talk about their future, and how fans have stayed in their corner during uncertain times.

Flaming Lips Discuss Super Bowl Commercial, Call It a 'Really Painless Experience'

Eric R. Danton — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:39:34 +0000

Although Beyoncé is the big-name performer at this year’s Super Bowl, the Flaming Lips will be part of the action, too, thanks to the band’s appearance in a commercial for Hyundai.

The Oklahoma City rockers wrote a classic-sounding new song, ‘Sun Blows Up Today,’ for the spot, which includes footage of the band performing in unusual places, and their confetti-spewing tour bus.

“It was a really painless experience,” Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd tells Diffuser.fm.

Stone Sour Drummer Roy Mayorga Discusses Recovery from Stroke

Chad Childers — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:00:16 +0000

Stone Sour are enjoying some of their greatest success to date with the two-part album 'House of Gold & Bones,' and drummer Roy Mayorga is very happy to be part of it. Back in 2011, Mayorga suffered a stroke and there was concern about whether or not he would be able to continue, but the musician is happy to report he's recovered.

Ozzy Osbourne Discusses Black Sabbath's Tumultuous History + His Public Perception

Mary Ouellette — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:48:39 +0000

On the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Black Sabbath release ‘Vol. 4,’ Ozzy Osbourne reflected with a popular radio show on the band’s legendary career, while also touching on an array of subjects from being vilified by the general public to his struggles with drugs and alcohol throughout his career.

Big Wreck's Ian Thornley Discusses Band's Revival, 'Albatross' Album + Velvet Revolver Audition

Chad Childers — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 16:57:47 +0000

Hailing from Canada, Big Wreck showed plenty of promise in the late '90s and early 2000s, but after their sophomore set slumped the band members decided to part ways. Now, a full decade later, singer Ian Thornley reached out to his longtime friend and cohort Brian Doherty and by opening the lines of communication, his onetime guitarist returned and a surprise resurrection of Big Wreck followed.

Deuce Says He Feels Liberated With 'Nine Lives' Solo Release in Exclusive Interview

Dave Kim — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 22:29:56 +0000

The music industry can be a tough and cutthroat business at times. You can feel like you're on top of the world with your crew and then have it all come crashing down moments later. Los Angeles, Calif. native Deuce enjoyed much success with Hollywood Undead before things got ugly. The artist/producer and his former bandmates didn't split on good terms, but Deuce has put that behind him. The singer sat down with us to talk about his new album, Nine Lives, life after Hollywood Undead and more.

Lzzy Hale on Halestorm's Grammy Nomination: 'It's a Personal Victory for the Four of Us'

Liz Ramanand — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:53:35 +0000

It's been a massive year for Halestorm and they're ending 2012 with a bang! It was just announced that the group and their song 'Love Bites (So Do I)' off of their latest album 'The Strange Case Of...' were nominated in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category for the upcoming 55th annual Grammy Awards, taking place Feb. 10, 2013, in Los Angeles.

Anthrax's Charlie Benante on 2013 Grammy Nomination: 'It Was Just Complete Shock'

Graham 'Gruhamed' Hartmann — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 04:59:16 +0000

Many congratulations are in order for each band nominated for Best Hard Rock / Metal Performance for the upcoming 55th annual Grammy Awards. Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Halestorm, Marilyn Manson and Lamb of God have been nominated, along with a rejuvenated Anthrax, who scored a nod for the song 'I'm Alive.' We were able to talk with Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante earlier today (Dec. 6) to gauge his reaction and get some insight into what the nomination means to him.