A Taste:

Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age

Being a badass rock star is a full-time job.

Corey Taylor should give seminars on it because, these days, he’s flawlessly fronting not one or two, but three bands.

The Slipknot and Stone Sour singer has added the Junk Beer Kidnap Band to his ever-growing list of mindblowing musical projects. In the Junk Beer Kidnap Band, Taylor’s love for the likes of Foo Fighters and Alice In Chains shines bright, as he churns out some of the catchiest hard rock we’ve heard in recent memory.

Right now, Taylor is about to finish up the cycle behind Slipknot’s fourth masterpiece All Hope Is Gone, with a U.S. tour alongside the Deftones and what are bound to be legendary headlining sets at Cypress Hill’s Smokeout on Saturday October 24 in San Bernardino, CA and Fangoria’s “Trinity of Terrors” in Las Vegas on Halloween night.

In the meantime, Taylor opened up his iTunes for this exclusive interview with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino. Check out Corey’s playlist below and don’t miss Slipknot at the Smokeout and “Trinity of Terrors.”

Corey Taylor’s Playlist:

1. Alice In Chains — Black Gives Way to Blue

I am listening to the new Alice In Chains—constantly! It is so good, man! I am not kidding. Let me just say, “If you buy one album, buy my album!” [Laughs] “But if you buy two albums, buy the new Alice In Chains.” I cannot back that album enough, and this is coming from a sick, sick fan. I’ve been an Alice In Chains fan for years. In a lot of ways, Alice In Chains is responsible for the way I write. “Would?” is one of my all-time favorite songs ever written. When I heard that song, it showed me that anything was possible with music because everything was real—even with the alternative movement going on. I was heavily into that because I was a punk kid growing up. Even within the alternative style, there was this sentiment that you had to write a certain way. “Would?” came out, and it just punched me in the face. I was like, “This could be one of the greatest songs ever written!” That’s what this whole new album reminds me of—feeling like, “God, I’ve missed this band!” It’s their best work since Dirt. I’ll be straight-up honest. People are going to love it.

2. Pearl Jam — Backspacer

The new Pearl Jam album, Backspacer, is actually really good as well. It’s weird because I’m usually the guy who says, “I don’t listen to anything new.” It’s been a really good year though!

3. Green Day — 21st Century Breakdown

The new Green Day is amazing. There’s a lot of good stuff out there!

4. Them Crooked Vultures

I’ve never wanted to sleep with men before, but that trio—Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones—are you kidding me? My buddy heard it, and said it’s even better than you could ever imagine.

5. Queens of the Stone Age

Songs for the Deaf is a great album. You know what? I loved Lullabies to Paralyze. Lullabies is so sickeningly dark! Seriously!

—Rick Florino
10.12.09

A Taste:

Metallica, Korn, Alice In Chains, Krishna Das

Johann Urb just wants to rock!

The Eastwick and 2012 star has his fair share of heavy metal on his playlist, and it’s been quite a big part of his life since growing up in Finland. There’s something about hard rock that’s always spoken to Johann, and he talked to ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino about its importance in this exclusive playlist feature.

Check out Johann’s playlist below and don’t miss him on Eastwick on ABC every Wednesday at 10pm!

Johann Urb’s Playlist:

1. Metallica

Growing up in Finland, it was always dark and cold so heavy music spoke to me as a teenager. I still listen to Metallica—they’re possibly my favorite band of all time. They’re fucking brilliant. I love Death Magnetic. I always felt like, even in the early days, they spoke about important issues. For me, nature and taking care of this planet are crucial so we don’t destroy it. In “Blackened,” James Hetfield touches on that lyrically. Even though they’re a metal band, they talk about how fucked up the government is and they address real issues. When they played Russia for the first time, it was incredible. They were connected to it because they were writing about the man. They’re a metal band with a message and deeper meaning. I love that, and it always moves me and rocks me out! As a kid, I would bang my head to the point of neck injury, and there’s no better band to do that to than Metallica. I still listen to them when I want to get fired up, work out or punch somebody—or get sentimental and howl at the moon.

2. Korn

I think nobody does heavy metal better than Korn does. Mixing the DJ factor in and tuning their instruments down, their music is so rad! They can do wrong. It’s great Krav Maga music too!

3. Krishna Das

I’ve got Krishna Das on my playlist. It’s spiritual chanting music, and I love that as well as heavy metal. I could listen to that all day long. When I was living in New York, I went to a lot of Kirtan. It’s awesome. Krishna is mindblowing! The man has made my heart open with his chants. I’ve seen him live more than any other artist. If I had one artist’s music to take to a deserted island with me, this would be it. I would be chanting and chanting until I die.

4. Tool

I love Tool. Those guys are just true artists! Every time I listen to Tool, I find new nuances. Their videos are amazing. They dare to be different and brutally honest. They sing songs that are really morose and crazy, but a lot of the time, I feel the same way they do. Every song is a journey. It’s artistic and meaningful metal that’s innovative, interesting and moving.

5. Wah!

It’s amazing melodies, chants, dance and vocals! I could listen to them all day long. It makes me smile, and it makes me happy.

6. The Black Eyed Peas

They make me want to move and groove. It’s innovative, positive and fun!

7. The Matrix — Soundtrack

The Matrix soundtrack with Deftones and Rage Against the Machine is so badass.

8. Slipknot

When I listen to some of their songs like “Duality,” I just get crazy chills. I like the Stone Sour records too.

9. Alice In Chains

They’re one of my favorite bands ever. Their dark and moody metal is classic and eternal, but rocks your socks off.

10. Breaking Benjamin

11. Disturbed

12. Faith No More

They’re amazing!

13. Godsmack

14. Helmet

15. Ministry

16. Pantera

I’ve got a lot of Pantera on my playlist.

18. Queens of the Stone Age

I love Queens of the Stone Age. I feel like everything’s been done, but they’re still original. Every song is different and cool. I’m so thankful for those guys. Songs for the Deaf is awesome.

19. Prong

20. Sepultura

“Refuse-Resist!”

21. Sevendust

22. Stone Temple Pilots

23. Reket

My cousin’s Estonian rap is super awesome, especially if you can understand Estonian. I dare you to learn it—double, triple dare [Laughs]!

24. Brothers Urb

The songs by my dad and uncle are always touching and close to the heart. My favorite is “Ipanema Speaking.”

—Rick Florino
10.02.09

A Taste:

White Zombie, Slayer, Slipknot, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Devildriver

Surviving Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is not going to be easy this year.

Chucky’s crazy ass will be on the loose, Michael Myers will be only a few steps behind you and Jigsaw will be behind the curtain manipulating every little detail in an attempt to inflict pure punishment on you. Universal has put together what’s bound to be their scariest and most fright-tastic Halloween Horror Nights yet, and it all kicks off tomorrow, October 2, after their Chiller Eyegore awards!

ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino compiled the perfect playlist of songs for you to listen to in order to get pumped up to out run these iconic screen demons. Crank these tunes and you’re guaranteed to have enough adrenaline to escape…as long as Jigsaw doesn’t plant anything in your car, that is.

Go to Halloween Horror Nights this month!

Halloween Horror Nights Survival Music Mix:

1. White Zombie — “More Human than Human”

This is the best song for any narrow escape! It’s been in more horror movie trailers than we can count including, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, which also has a maze dedicated to it at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. Plus, Mr. Rob Zombie will be present at the Eyegore awards earlier in the evening.

2. Alice In Chains — “Check My Brain”

You’re going to need to check your brain to make sure it’s still there after Michael Myers swings his butcher knife at you! Spin this incredible new Alice In Chains tune at full blast while Michael is coming after you. Jerry Cantrell’s guitar is almost as evil as Myers!

3. Slayer — “At Dawn They Sleep”

It’s Slayer. It’s about vampires. It sounds straight up evil. Need I say more?

4. Pantera — “Living Through Me (Hell’s Wrath)”

Wait until the breakdown where Phil Anselmo starts talking—it’s the most Satanic interlude you’ve ever heard, and that riff will get you running from Michael Myers too!

5. Slipknot — “The Heretic Anthem”

Slipknot crafted the ultimate anti-everything anthem. The double bass, guitar and vocal assault is so deadly it may just help you get off the Terror Tram trip alive if you play it loud enough. Keeping chanting it over and over again, “If you’re 555, then I’m 666…if you’re 555, then I’m 6-6-6…”

6. Devildriver — “Pray for Villains”

With demons all over Universal, you’d better be praying. Devildriver gives the perfect sermon.

7. Ministry — “Psalm 69″

Uncle Al feeds us the gospel of industrial metal, and it’s oh so filling.

8. KoRn — “Sean Olsen”

This eerie early KoRn gem gets really evil, really fast. It’s slow, brooding and sick. It’s also the perfect soundtrack for trying to weave through Jigsaw’s clutches.

9. Deftones — “Headup”

This song has one of the most bludgeoning riffs of all time. Vocalist Chino Moreno also bleeds all over the hook alongside Max Cavalera. Their back-and-forth makes for one of the best metal collaborations ever. It’s great for dodging the scare zones in Universal as well.

10. Nine Inch Nails — “March of the Pigs”

What would any horror playlist be without the prince of pain himself, Trent Reznor? Jigsaw definitely listens to The Downward Spiral.

11. Type O Negative — “Love You to Death”

The ultimate in vampire love ditties…

12. Five Finger Death Punch — “The Bleeding”

You’ll be bleeding inside and out from the Saw maze. Five Finger Death Punch has made the best song to bleed too.

13. Lady GaGa — “Just Dance”

The undead like to get down…Home girl will prob have her own maze one year too…

—Rick Florino
10.01.09

A Taste:

Alice in Chains, Guns N’ Roses, Stone Temple Pilots

James Hart has always had rock n’ roll pumping through his veins.

Even while fronting metalcore mavens Eighteen Visions, Hart had a whole lot of swagger that distinguished 18V from their peers. Burn Halo gives him a chance to fully realize all of those rock inclinations. On its self-titled debut, Hart’s new band hearkens back to ’80s arena bombast while nodding to grunge simultaneously. However, it’s a potent concoction all its own.

Hart shared his very rawk playlist with us in this exclusive feature. Check it out below.

James Hart’s Playlist:

1. Guns N’ Roses

This is probably the obvious choice for any fan of pure rock n’ roll. This band had danger written all over them. My favorite rock vocalist and guitarist of all time are in GNR. Their solos are timeless. Their rock songs are dirty, and their ballads are epic. The danger element finally caught up to them as they ended up imploding. Damn shame since they could’ve ruled the world for decades.

2. Stone Temple Pilots

I love the attitude and swagger that came along withthis band. They wrote great rock songs and ballads that were just as good, if not better. What I love most about this band is their musical progression from album to album. They weren’t afraid to try new things. Their fan base may have decreased because of it over the years, but it’s definitely something I can appreciate.

3. Alice In Chains

They’re my favorite early ’90s grunge-era band. I absolutely love the vibe they created and stuck with throughout their career. I can’t think of another band with two vocalists that complimented each other as well as Layne and Jerry did. Great riffs and very deep, painful lyrics..this band just felt more real to me than the others that sprouted up at the same time.

4. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Great songwriter. I love how simple his song arrangements are. Good, pure rock and to the point. I think he has a different, but very cool sounding voice. It’s super laid back, and I really like how he builds his melodies and harmonies.

5. U2

Musically and lyrically, U2 is inspiring. There is so much depth and meaning behind their songs. I think they do a better job than anyone of building a song from a tiny vocal and guitar then adding to until it becomes this wall of beautiful music.

—Rick Florino
07.27.09

A Taste:

Alice In Chains, ZZ Top, The Gutter Twins

Duff McKagan wants you to get Loaded.

On his new solo album with Loaded, Sick, he delivers thirteen hard rockin’ anthems that are just as down and dirty as any of his Velvet Revolver output is. Putting down the bass and taking over guitar and vocals duties, Loaded shows another side of Duff. He’s quite the rock and roll songwriter, and given his time in Velvet Revolver and Guns N’ Roses, it all feels real.

Duff shared his playlist with us for this exclusive feature. Check out what he’s spinning below.

Duff McKagan’s Playlist:

1. The Gutter Twins — Saturnalia

You want a record to be a journey from the beginning to end. The Gutter Twins made that record last year.

2. Shiny Toy Guns — We Are Pilots

They had a great record last year too!

3. Katy Perry

I’ll take my oldest daughter to see some artists you wouldn’t even associate me with like Katy Perry. [Katy] kissed a girl or whatever, and it’s fine [Laughs]. We went to the gig at the Wiltern. It was an amazing gig, and she’s really talented. She puts on a real show. Her band left the stage in the middle of the set, and it was just her and an acoustic guitar. I was like, “Oh she’s a real player.” She wrote that song and can play, to me, that means a lot.

4. ZZ Top

If I’m playing a lot of guitar or a lot of bass, I listen to the first two ZZ Top records a ton.

5. Alice In Chains

I’ve heard the new Alice in Chains. I don’t own a copy, but I’ve heard demos [Laughs]. It’s great! For me, it was awesome touring with the Alice guys. They’re my friends. Sean [Kinney, Alice In Chains Drummer] and I had our motorcycles out together, and we rode all over the United States. They added a lot of levity to what could’ve been a bleak-all-the-time predicament we were in; Alice came in and brought a ton of humor to that thing.

—Rick Florino
05.18.09

A Taste:

Led Zeppelin, Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, Soundgarden

When Seventh Void drum extraordinaire Johnny Kelly whips out his iPod the first thing that plays is quite surprising. No, it’s not Venom, Black Sabbath or Metallica. It’s an episode of The Odd Couple.

“The Odd Couple is the last thing that was playing on my iPod,” laughs Johnny. “I was watching it on the plane to L.A. How awesome is that?”

Really, how metal is that?

Kenny Hickey and Johnny have been playing together in Type O Negative almost as long as Felix and Oscar have been making mischief in T.V. Land. However, with Seventh Void, Johnny and Kelly made some of their best music yet. On Seventh Void’s epic debut, Heaven Is Gone, they channel classic rock more than anything else. Nodding to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and even The Beatles, the album shows Johnny and Kenny’s knack for melody and love for a good old fashioned groove.

Their playlists also display that love for all things timeless in rock n’ roll. Kenny and Johnny each gave us a gander at their iPods in this exclusive feature. Check out what they’re spinning below.

Kenny Hickey’s Playlist:

1. Led Zeppelin — Physical Graffiti

“I’ve been listening to Physical Graffiti because we’re going to start writing the next record and I need to rip the songs off [Laughs]. I start with Zeppelin. I’ll go from Physical Graffiti to Sabotage and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.”

2. Black Sabbath — Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

3. Black Sabbath — Sabotage

4. Soundgarden

“Of course our intention was to do something fun with Seventh Void. I feel like we embraced our influences—Zeppelin, Sabbath, AC/DC, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains.”

5. Alice In Chains

6. AC/DC

7. Seventh Void — Heaven Is Gone

“There’s a funny story behind our album title. I had a friend who died on the operating table and was revived. He was religious. So when he was recovering, I said, ‘Bro, did you see the light at the end of the tunnel?’ He yelled, ‘No, it’s all a lie!’ He was really pissed off [Laughs]. That’s where we got the title, Heaven Is Gone.”

8. Type O Negative

“Our whole Type O Negative story would be a bestseller if we ever wrote a book. We basically hire outpatients to work for us just for entertainment value [Laughs]. We make the circus. That’s how we have fun. It’s an insane life. As we get older, we get odder. It’s getting worse [Laughs]. When I tour with other bands like Kingdom of Sorrow, I even bring the same nuts with me.”

Johnny Kelly’s Playlist:

1. Aerosmith

“I got on an Aerosmith kick recently. We had something that we had to do in Boston last weekend, so we drove up from New York. I sat in the car for four and a half hours by myself, and I was listening to a ton of Aerosmith. Since I was going to Boston I felt obligated. When in Rome…listen to Aerosmith [Laughs].”

2. The Beatles — Help!

3. Led Zeppelin — III

“I’ve got a Zeppelin tattoo on my arm!”

4. Led Zeppelin —IV

5. Shinedown

6. Elton John

7. Kings of Leon — Because of the Times

8. The Beach Boys — Pet Sounds

9. Alice In Chains — Facelift

10. Type O Negative

“Think of Type O like this…Put 12 guys in a bus together, add alcohol, idiosyncracies and it really makes for an incredible experience—both good and bad. It’s always memorable. Now that I’m older, I appreciate it more! When you go home, you have your family and you have to be a responsible adult. The minute you set foot on that bus, it’s a rolling mad house. It’s insane! I don’t want it to stop ever.”

—Rick Florino
05.01.09

A Taste:

Muse, Alice In Chains, Deftones, Pantera

Devildriver conjure a catchy cacophony of guttural grooves, double bass dementia and searing solos. It’s a heavy metal formula that’s impenetrable and strangely infectious. Right now, the band is finishing their hotly anticipated fourth epic, Pray for Villains, due out summer 2009 on Roadrunner Records.

However, while at Fangoria Weekend of Horrors, guitarist Jeff Kendrick talked to us about what he’s currently spinning for our playlist feature. He delved into some other inspirations too!

“Heat is one of my favorite movies ever, and I’ll always go back to that. However, my musical taste is all over the place, and that shows in my playing,” said Jeff. “We’re a band that a lot of people who don’t necessarily love metal can listen to. We’re catchy and we write songs that display technical proficiency at the same time. Our fans know we’re not going to let them down. We’ve stuck around.”

There’s no doubt they’ll be around for a long time to come too. Check out Jeff’s playlist below and get ready for Villains this summer.

Jeff Kendrick’s Playlist:

1. Muse — Absolution

“I just bought Absolution, and I’ve been listening to that a lot.”

2. Devildriver — Pray for Villains

“I’ve been cranking our new record non-stop because we’re going over mixes now. It sounds amazing.”

3. Guns ‘N Roses — Chinese Democracy

“I listen to Chinese Democracy all the time. The guitar playing is incredible!”

4. Alice In Chains

“I don’t feel like there’s anything coming out that’s going to really surpass the bands I’ve loved forever. Getting into music at a certain age, certain bands will seem more magical because you were in that moment. Alice is one of them along with Pantera.”

5. Pantera

6. Metallica — Death Magnetic

7. Deftones — White Pony

8. Lamb of God — Wrath

—Rick Florino
04.19.09

A Taste:

Alice In Chains, KoRn, Pantera

Static-X frontman Wayne Static has got quite the house cleaning soundtrack. “My wife and I put music on while we clean the house, and we’ve been playing KoRn, Alice In Chains and Nine Inch Nails the most,” he laughs with a big smile. “Those are all of the standbys, and they’ve been getting me ready for the Sno-Core tour.”

It’s no surprise that Wayne displays an equal affinity for Pantera’s groove-driven metallic sludge and Ministry’s speed-freak electro death stomp. Wayne has patented his own style of percussive evil disco, and it’s been perfected on Static-X’s latest offering, Cult of Static.

Right before Wayne finished cleaning and packing for the band’s co-headlining run on Sno-Core, he gave ARTISTdirect.com an exclusive peek at his iTunes. Check out what Wayne Static is spinning below.

Wayne Static’s Playlist:

1. KoRn

“It seems like I listen to a lot of the same stuff.”

2. Alice In Chains

3. Nine Inch Nails

4. Deftones

5. Ministry

6. Audioslave

7. Pantera

“I always throw Pantera on once in awhile. I don’t really listen to too much new stuff. Everything I listen to is either from ten years ago or older [Laughs].”

—Rick Florino
03.30.09