A Taste:

Mastodon, Kings of Leon, M.I.A., Black Sabbath

“The beauty of the world is, there’s something for everybody,” says iconic skinsman Matt Sorum [Velvet Revolver/Guns N’ Roses/The Cult/Camp Freddy] with a smile.

He’s right, and diversity is definitely one plus side of modern music.

Matt continues, “People can find so many things to satisfy themselves. I don’t think one form of music is better than another. If some people dig pop that’s cool. It’s up to the person who likes it. Would I rather go back and listen to Led Zeppelin IV? Yeah, I would. That album still makes me experience that entire feeling that I did when I first heard it. I went, “Fuck!’ and then it just became part of my life and my essence.”

In between producing The Darling Stilettos, running his boutique Sorum Noce and pounding out some of the biggest rock n’ roll grooves ever, Matt Sorum sat down with ARTISTdirect.com to talk music. He opened up his iTunes and gave us an exclusive look at what he’s spinning. Check out his playlist below!

Matt Sorum’s Playlist:

1. M.I.A.

I got into M.I.A. because of my girlfriend. She buys more stuff than I do. She still goes and buys records, which is cool!

2. Kings of Leon — Only By the Night

I listened to this album and went, ‘Wow, these guys have really found their niche!” They had this Southern rock thing going on and then they made this album with these great vocals, very simple structures and melodies. It said something too. It had great guitar tones. Everything was very simple but majestic like an early U2 album. I’ve heard dashes of that when I first listened to Rattle and Hum.

3. The Killers

I think the Killers are coming into their own and turning into a class-A band. I saw them at Coachella, and they were stellar.

4. Mastodon — Crack the Skye

I really got into Mastodon. Their new album is awesome. Brendan O’Brien produced it, and I thought the tones were really cool.

5. Alice In Chains

I’m very excited about their new stuff. When we toured with them, I realized that I forgot how many fuckin’ hits they had. They waited and were respectful. God bless them. Why shouldn’t Alice In Chains be on tour playing those songs?

6. Darling Stilletos

I’ve been producing this group and we’ve been dabbling in listening to a lot of older stuff lately. We’ve pulled out stuff I love—The Clash, David Bowie and The Stooges. I turned all of these young girls onto this stuff. Let’s recreate the message here! Why does rock n’ roll make people feel good? When I was a kid, it was a lifestyle for me.

7. Black Sabbath — Vol. 4

The greatest era of rock n’ roll ever was the ’70s. Sorry, it was. Where could you find a band like Black Sabbath on the same stage doing a concert with Earth, Wind & Fire and The Eagles on the same day? It was California Jam 1974. The headliner was Emerson, Lake & Palmer. What happened to the fuckin’ world? The closest thing I’ve seen to it is the Coachella lineup. Shit’s so stagnant. When one band blows the doors off, the whole culture will change. It’s going to turn on a fuckin’ dime.

8. AC/DC — Back In Black

With this album, AC/DC were like, “We’re back, and we’re going to throw down the rock.” That’s fuckin’ heavy [Laughs].

—Rick Florino
06.29.09

A Taste:

Santogold, MIA, Cut Copy

Even though Tiësto remains at the top of electronic music, he grew up a metal head! With a smile he laughs, “As a kid, I was a big Iron Maiden fan!”

What was it about hard rock that appealed to the electronica pioneer? Well, believe it or not, it was actually the intelligence and intricacy behind the genre’s more, dare I say, bookish bands.

“I loved the guitar riffs that Iron Maiden used, and their lyrics were always smart,” continues Tiësto. “The songs were like crazy fairy tales. Bruce Dickinson wasn’t just singing, ‘I love you!’ I got to see them at Monsters of Rock with Van Halen, Dio, Whitesnake, Michael Schenker Group and all of my heroes at the time. It was funny because I was into only heavy metal like old Metallica back then. Dickinson has an amazing voice, but I couldn’t imagine putting his voice on a dance record. The guitar melodies, maybe [Laughs].”

Tiësto shared his current playlist with us below. Check it out, and if you’re in Northern California this weekend, be sure to see Tiësto at Sacramento Conventions Center on Saturday May 30th. It’s his first-ever Sacramento show, and it’ll run from 8pm until 1am (18+). For more info on the show click here.

Tiësto ’s Playlist:

1. Sigur Ros

I like Sigur Ros a lot. They really make beautiful music.

2. Santigold

3. Cut Copy

4. MGMT

I love the indie electronic music with a little rock in it.

5. MIA

—Rick Florino
05.28.09

Photo: Stephanie Pistel

A Taste:

Manchester Orchestra, M.I.A., Nine Inch Nails

On their new album, Attics to Eden, Chicago’s Madina Lake conjure up an infectious brand of alternative rock. Channeling everyone from their hometown heroes Smashing Pumpkins to industrial gods Nine Inch Nails, Madina Lake are a band to watch in 2009. Further distinguishing them from the pack, they also have an intriguing lore surrounding their albums that stems from their very name.

In between rocking crowds across the country, Madina Lake main man Nathan Leone found time to share his playlist with us in this exclusive feature. Check out Nathan’s playlist below!

Nathan Leone’s Playlist:

1. Manchester Orchestra

“I’ve been really getting into Manchester Orchestra recently.”

2. Dillinger Escape Plan

“We just did a festival tour in Australia with Dillinger, and they’re one of our favorite bands.”

3. I Am the Avalanche

“I’ve been getting into their record like crazy.”

4. M.I.A.

“I always find myself listening to M.I.A. I can’t help it [Laughs].”

5. Nine Inch Nails

—Rick Florino
04.24.09