A Taste:

AC/DC, KISS, Pink Floyd

Staind have the pop power and the heavy metal heart to solidify them as a legendary band. It’ll only be a little while…

They’ve got a whole host of modern classics in their catalog—from the massive melodies in “Right Here” and “It’s Been Awhile” to the cathartic chaos of “Mudshovel” and “Suffocate.” The multi-platinum Massachusetts quartet knows how to write hard rock anthems better than anyone, but when it’s time to get heartfelt few are better than frontman Aaron Lewis. Ever since the moment he busted out an acoustic guitar on the 1999 installment of the Family Values tour for “Outside,” Aaron’s songwriting prowess and undeniably incredible voice have captivated listeners. Given his penchant for a potent tune, we were curious about where it all began.

In this exclusive interview. ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino spoke to Aaron Lewis about the first three albums to ever inspire him. Aaron went way back in the catalog and gave us three classics for this exclusive playlist feature. Check it out below and pick up Staind’s most recent masterpiece, The Illusion of Progress if you haven’t yet.

Aaron Lewis’s Playlist:

1. AC/DC — Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

2. KISS — Alive II

3. Pink Floyd — The Wall

The first three records ever given to me as a kid were AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, KISS’s Alive II and Pink Floyd’s The Wall. It was the first music I was ever really able to listen to, rewind and listen to again at my leisure.

Now on my playlist is Andrew Wilkow and Mark Levin [Laughs]. If I’m not listening to that, it’s usually country music.

—Rick Florino
10.27.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

Coldplay, KISS, Citizen Cope, Van Morrison

Saw VI plays out like a symphony of destruction.

It’s the most twisted entry into the franchise yet and, as with all of the previous installments, there’s a malevolently musical undercurrent to the film’s madness.
B However, the stars themselves have quite different iPod selections. Though Satanic death metal and dark industrial would fit the film’s vibe best, you’re more likely to find Tobin Bell [Jigsaw] cranking some Coldplay than Slipknot.

I’ve always thought Chris Martin was way more evil than Corey Taylor anyway, so it’s all good…

Saw VI stars Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor and Tanedra Howard sat down with ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino for this exclusive interview about what’s on their playlists!

Tobin Bell’s Playlist:

1. Coldplay

2. Van Morrison

3. Eric Clapton

I’ve been listening to Coldplay a lot lately. I listen to Van Morrison. I really like Eric Clapton.

4. Bob Dylan

I’ve always been a big Bob Dylan fan!

5. Hydrovibe

I really recommend Hydrovibe; they’re amazing. I think Jigsaw’s probably a classical music guy—maybe some jazz too. I’m not altogether sure that he wouldn’t have a marching band—maybe John Philip Sousa—or something like that going on during a wild night in the lair [Laughs].

Tanedra Howard’s Playlist:

1. Barbra Streisand

2. The Three Tenors

3. The Backyardigans

4. Citizen Cope

You’re going to laugh at me! I listen to a lot of stuff. I have R&B and hip hop. I listen to classical. I have the Three Tenors on my iPod. I’ve got Barbra Streisand. I have The Backyardigans. That’s a cartoon, and I’m not ashamed [Laughs]. If it makes me snap my fingers, I’m going to listen to it!

5. Evanescence

I did play a few songs to get myself in the horror mood and get me amped up. One was by Evanescence. Even though it wasn’t a bad song, it was “My Immortal.” It put me in the state.

Costas Mandylor’s Playlist:

1. Thin Lizzy

2. Muse

I put my head phones on once in awhile to keep my energy up on set. I’m still listening to Thin Lizzy. They’re one of my favorite bands of all time. Someone gave me one of those iPod Nanos, and I’ve been listening to Muse. I like stuff that’s heavy. I’m a bit of a rock n’ roll guy.

3. Led Zeppelin

I love all the classics like Led Zeppelin.

4. KISS

I was part of the KISS army for years. Anything that’s good and heavy I’ll take.

—Rick Florino
10.26.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

A Taste:

Kiss, Survivor

In Paul Blart: Mall Cop, the latest comedy from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison production company, the title character gets down with Guitar Hero, cruises the mall to classic anthems, and can light up the dance floor. For star Kevin James, Paul Blart had the perfect soundtrack.

James exclaims, “I love the music in all of Adam Sandler’s movies. He chooses great tunes that take you back to whatever time the film takes place in. He helped me with the music in Paul Blart. I’m psyched about it. Adam picked Survivor’s ‘I Can’t Hold Back,’ and I just loved it. The KISS song ‘Detroit Rock City’ really stands out. Those two were the ones that meant a lot to me. I love the Barry Manilow songs in the movie, too. They get me emotional. I may not be the proudest when somebody finds Barry on my iPod—I have to try to cover it up [laughs].”

Luckily for James, that’s not a punishable offence, especially not in the mall.

—Rick Florino
01.14.09